One man's quest to make his G sedan what it should have been from the factory...
Well, like I said, if for nothing else I shaved some weight off, changed out the exhaust gaskets, and got the muffler all cleaned/painted... That stock sedan mid weighs a ton in comparison to the coupe mid!
After driving it a little more today, I do notice the tone is a bit throatier for sure, but not the volume I was looking for. Are there any other bolt on mufflers besides the HKS that you all would recommend? So the HR Ypipe or the 03/04 what???
You can see in the pic by grinding the hanger mount I gained about 1/2 inch of clearance now. I feel better about the 350evo sway now, even though I don't think it was an issue before.
After driving it a little more today, I do notice the tone is a bit throatier for sure, but not the volume I was looking for. Are there any other bolt on mufflers besides the HKS that you all would recommend? So the HR Ypipe or the 03/04 what???
You can see in the pic by grinding the hanger mount I gained about 1/2 inch of clearance now. I feel better about the 350evo sway now, even though I don't think it was an issue before.
On the scale, my coupe middy was about 7lbs lighter than the 05/06 middy. The 03/04 middy is about 20lbs heavier than the coupe middy. I've heard people make claims than the coupe middy is like 35lbs lighter
The sedan middy doesn't even weigh that much. Be prepared for drone with the HKS muffler. It will drone between 1800-2400rpms under heavy/high gear loads. Lots people have bought HKS mufflers, only to get rid of them because the drone is reportedly pretty annoying when you've got a 5AT that spends most of it's time in the 1800-2400rpm range. Drone was the main reason I got rid of my Borla TD after just 2 weeks of use. My current setup (post 35) has no drone or rasp, but is much louder than stock. I'd suggest sourcing an HR Y-pipe first or the MD XYZ pipe before throwing down $400 on a muffler that doesn't add power and might add some noise you might not be happy with.
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 166
Likes: 10
From: Kansas City
^ Definitely don't want drone and getting more sound for less than $400 would be perfect. However, the HR y-pipe is like impossible to find and the MD one is almost $400 or more. ???
For now I'll stick with what I have and do some more research, but I'd definitly pick up an HR y-pipe if one was available. I trust that it would be closer to the sound I'm looking for by reading all of the threads about it and taking in account your experience with it.
For now I'll stick with what I have and do some more research, but I'd definitly pick up an HR y-pipe if one was available. I trust that it would be closer to the sound I'm looking for by reading all of the threads about it and taking in account your experience with it.
FYI....
https://g35driver.com/forums/exhaust...est-pipes.html
Dave, can you post a pic of your muffler?
https://g35driver.com/forums/exhaust...est-pipes.html
Dave, can you post a pic of your muffler?
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 166
Likes: 10
From: Kansas City
^ Definitely don't want drone and getting more sound for less than $400 would be perfect. However, the HR y-pipe is like impossible to find and the MD one is almost $400 or more. ???
For now I'll stick with what I have and do some more research, but I'd definitly pick up an HR y-pipe if one was available. I trust that it would be closer to the sound I'm looking for by reading all of the threads about it and taking in account your experience with it.
For now I'll stick with what I have and do some more research, but I'd definitly pick up an HR y-pipe if one was available. I trust that it would be closer to the sound I'm looking for by reading all of the threads about it and taking in account your experience with it.
I have an 03, whenever I get around to doing the exhaust you guys can have a shot at the muffler. Too bad I wheels and tires are on the list before the exhaust!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 166
Likes: 10
From: Kansas City
Work in Leawood, live in Olathe. I just might take you up on that DaveB. I'd like to hear your setup in person. Best sound clip of all! Might be able to bite some other ideas off of you as well.
Speaking of ideas... I have my Z/G spring combo. Couple of questions...
1) What should I do with the coupe front springs and the Z rears? Hahaha! Guess I could throw them on the classifieds (Craigs, ebay, etc)...and see what happens.
2) Shocks/struts... I'd really rather not have to buy the D-Specs if at all possible. If I could get by with used coupe or 350Z shocks/struts, which would be best for the optimum "inexpensive" setup? Or should I go with used Z struts for the front and used coupe shocks for the rear? OR, could I get by with Tokico HP's, and if so should I get the shocks for the sedan, coupe, 350Z or the combo? I think I just confused myself n sh*t!
Actually after looking at your garage it looks like you have the Z/G with 350Z shocks/struts. How about a ride this week? If the ride quality is acceptable on 350Z shocks then I'd be all over that. I gotta think that if the stock 350Z shocks give acceptable ride quality then any aftermarket standard replacement like the Tokico's blues would be an upgrade... But what do I know.
Speaking of ideas... I have my Z/G spring combo. Couple of questions...
1) What should I do with the coupe front springs and the Z rears? Hahaha! Guess I could throw them on the classifieds (Craigs, ebay, etc)...and see what happens.
2) Shocks/struts... I'd really rather not have to buy the D-Specs if at all possible. If I could get by with used coupe or 350Z shocks/struts, which would be best for the optimum "inexpensive" setup? Or should I go with used Z struts for the front and used coupe shocks for the rear? OR, could I get by with Tokico HP's, and if so should I get the shocks for the sedan, coupe, 350Z or the combo? I think I just confused myself n sh*t!
Actually after looking at your garage it looks like you have the Z/G with 350Z shocks/struts. How about a ride this week? If the ride quality is acceptable on 350Z shocks then I'd be all over that. I gotta think that if the stock 350Z shocks give acceptable ride quality then any aftermarket standard replacement like the Tokico's blues would be an upgrade... But what do I know.
Last edited by 4mermarine; Sep 22, 2009 at 05:20 PM.
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 166
Likes: 10
From: Kansas City
Update on coupe middy...
So the more I'm driving the more I can tell the exhaust note has changed. My girlfriend said that it's "lower but not really louder". She said she can hear me pull into the garage now, whereas before she really couldn't or didn't notice anyways. I can only describe it as throatier than before. So the answer is Yes, the coupe midpipe will give you a change in exhaust note (on 05/06's), but by no means is it drastic. My opinion is that if you can find one cheap then get one. You'll shave a little weight off, most likely a slight improvement in flow, and a little lower exhaust note.
In addition, I just purchased an HR y-pipe from a G37 in the marketplace forum (thanks for the info DaveB), so that will be on soon and I'll report back. I'm hoping that there will be a little more sound increase and I won't have to go to the HKS sport muffler... I also realize that the down tube piping may be a hair smaller than the stock ypipe. Since I'm mostly going for sound and not horsepower I'm not real concerned about it, unless it's drastic. I'll measure and report back though either way.
So if anyone is keeping track, so far this is the list and costs...
- 350evo rear sway bar - $114
- GT Spec rear tie brace - $50
- Coupe midpipe - $100
- Coupe springs - $80
- 350Z springs - $65
- G37 HR y-pipe - $99
*TOTAL $508
My list for the near future is the following...
- Clear corners
- Prothane front sway bar bushings
- D-Specs
- GTSPEC FSB or front lower tie bar (still researching which will be more beneficial in tightening the front end up a little, and availaibility in the marketplace forum...)
- 18" coupe rims
So the more I'm driving the more I can tell the exhaust note has changed. My girlfriend said that it's "lower but not really louder". She said she can hear me pull into the garage now, whereas before she really couldn't or didn't notice anyways. I can only describe it as throatier than before. So the answer is Yes, the coupe midpipe will give you a change in exhaust note (on 05/06's), but by no means is it drastic. My opinion is that if you can find one cheap then get one. You'll shave a little weight off, most likely a slight improvement in flow, and a little lower exhaust note.
In addition, I just purchased an HR y-pipe from a G37 in the marketplace forum (thanks for the info DaveB), so that will be on soon and I'll report back. I'm hoping that there will be a little more sound increase and I won't have to go to the HKS sport muffler... I also realize that the down tube piping may be a hair smaller than the stock ypipe. Since I'm mostly going for sound and not horsepower I'm not real concerned about it, unless it's drastic. I'll measure and report back though either way.
So if anyone is keeping track, so far this is the list and costs...
- 350evo rear sway bar - $114
- GT Spec rear tie brace - $50
- Coupe midpipe - $100
- Coupe springs - $80
- 350Z springs - $65
- G37 HR y-pipe - $99
*TOTAL $508
My list for the near future is the following...
- Clear corners
- Prothane front sway bar bushings
- D-Specs
- GTSPEC FSB or front lower tie bar (still researching which will be more beneficial in tightening the front end up a little, and availaibility in the marketplace forum...)
- 18" coupe rims
As for the coupe mid pipe i have the same feedback as you 4mermarine, seems more throatier in my on my 05 sedan.
Be prepared to be surpised how light weight the HR y pipe is. Think it's only 3 lbs lighter the the DE pipe but man it seems so much more.
ETA and install on your HR y pipe?
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 166
Likes: 10
From: Kansas City
^ Just paid for the y-pipe. It's coming from Hybrid_DET, so no pressure!!! 
I'm going to do my best to do a dyno run on Saturday before the HR y-pipe goes on. We'll see.
I'm going to do my best to do a dyno run on Saturday before the HR y-pipe goes on. We'll see.
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,299
Likes: 1,488
From: By the sea, Tx
G35 sedan w/ too much money in mods
Update on coupe middy...
So the more I'm driving the more I can tell the exhaust note has changed. My girlfriend said that it's "lower but not really louder". She said she can hear me pull into the garage now, whereas before she really couldn't or didn't notice anyways. I can only describe it as throatier than before. So the answer is Yes, the coupe midpipe will give you a change in exhaust note (on 05/06's), but by no means is it drastic.
So the more I'm driving the more I can tell the exhaust note has changed. My girlfriend said that it's "lower but not really louder". She said she can hear me pull into the garage now, whereas before she really couldn't or didn't notice anyways. I can only describe it as throatier than before. So the answer is Yes, the coupe midpipe will give you a change in exhaust note (on 05/06's), but by no means is it drastic.
I'll let you know what I think.
Hey that's not OEM!! Cheating! Cheating over here! LOL!!