Ok, since I've officially decided to go N/A (saving thousands of $$ and instead investing in a new car in 2009), should I go with headers sometime in the year or not? What kind of power would I gain with Stillen intake and cat-back, as well as MD's 5/16" iso spacers? Anything worthy of its cost or not?

If so, what brand should I do that's not to expensive but still definately very good, or should I go custom, in which case what kind of $$ should I spend on that?

 

Great questions and I can give you some solid answers man:

Headers are a good thing, especially if your going to do any kind of engine build up. As far as intake, etc - Stillen all the way. If your MT, and sorry didn't read the SIG, then go with the Injen, as your bottom end power loss wont be noticed.

For exhaust - if you want minimal drone after your engine mods and headers and great performance and quality product - I have to tip my hat at the Fast Intentions Intimidator system with the ceramic or metallic CATS. If you want testpipes - you'll definitely want the resonated ones we make. Keep in mind though, the performance difference form the CATS to the testpipes is only about 1-2 HP and TQ, but the sound of the CATS makes the car VERY euro sounding - like a Ferrari with that G sound ever so brilliantly coming though.

Check out the website at ww.fastintentions.com for more info on the parts under the G35/350Z section. There's a link on the front page that Will take you directly there. Also search the forum for Fast Intentions or my alias. You'll find MANY happy customers and testimonials.

One other note for now - we have a GREAT Fall Sale going on right now in the Marketplace - so check it out and save big while you can.

Feel free to PM me or ask any questions you have.

Rick

 

It's a matter of cost, IMO. If you don't mind spending the extra (over just a rear-section exhaust), then you'll probably be happy. Also, I think cats compliment the headers nicely and really allow you to see their gains in power and sound. I suggest coating the headers. I used JetHot2000 and am really happy with it.

If you go with headers and cats, a good intake will sound great with them.

 

From personal experience, I'd go with the ForcedFed headers. (Read my full write-up in the Reviews section) I got solid gains on the, a slightly more agressive sound in the engine area, and their quality is tops for their market segment ($400-700 price range). They've been running special pricing on them lately, so I'd call them for the current deal. The last I saw was $419 shipped, which is an absolute steal compared to me having to pay the full $499, non-shipped price. It's still a great product, even at $499.

Here's a link to their website: http://www.forcedfed.com/350z/headers/F2350zheader.html

 

i went through the whole intake/exhaust. aem cai, plenum, headers, cats, y, middy, rear. i recently had a problem with a cat (long story), and went back to stock headers and cats...

biggest damn mistake! my car feels like an altima (4cyl), but the plus side is my wife doesn't mind the noise anymore...

the price was a little more than i wanted to pay for the removal of a part that i paid to have installed, but i'm thinking it might be worth it to have them put back on... that's how much of an improvement i had.

(that was a poorly worded statement. sorry, i'm at work)

 

Heh, just to clarfy, I already got the Stillen intake/exhaust (gen 1) and MD's spacers. I'm just not sure about adding headers to that.

So, basically, I'm getting a resounding "YES"! on adding headers to my setup?

 

i'd suggest doing it if you plan to get some EU (unichip/utec) so you don't run too lean

 

Headers are a PITA to install, but if you're going to go through that hassle, and can afford them - Go with Crawford. Crawford's cost more, and are harder to install than the others, but definitely worth it. My exhaust system is Crawford headers and cats and an Invidia G200 exhaust with an "H" Pipe. IMO, I couldn't have nade a btetter choice. The headers were my last engine mod, and really made a big difference, it seemed to uncork all that I had done. I waited close to 2 years to install them, wished I had done it earlier.

Lou

 

Noticable performance gains, or is most of the chance noticable related to improving the exhaust sound?

 

With the headers I had installed, around 4500 rpm, the engine would seem to take on much more life than before. Testing on a dyno confirmed that in this case, the butt-dyno was reading accurately. It was only a mild increase in engine compartment noise. My exhaust, on the other had, definetely made it louder, and seemed quicker, but the dyno showed a loss in power. So from my experience, the headers were worth every penny, but the exhaust is likely going to be removed soon.

 

What exhaust do you have 4DrSky?

 

headers are best bang for buck.......crawford or nismo

 

What about Alphawerks, I've heard they're tops too.

 

i had the cheapest headers - pro-1, and they were phenominal. night and day. it unlocked all of my other mods...

have you seen the stock exhaust manifold? it is the worst looking piece of the exhaust equation (minus mid-pipe resonator).

no, it is not all sound related (or perceived hp gain). i didn't notice the gain, because my stereo went in, rims got put on at the same time my headers, cats, y-pipe and reducer went in, and i was without it for so long, i had no comparison. but when i went back to stock headers, my car just lagged, and lagged - very noticeable loss. i thought it was the ecu 'learning' my new exhaust setup... well, three months later, it must still be learning, because it is still slow as hell.

 

i don't think headers by themselves will net much gain, but it is definitely the first choke point. the cats being the second, etc....