Hey guys,

I installed my test pipes yesterday evening with the help of one of the guys at my local muffler shop - he was going to not charge me to use the lift if I could do it myself, but there was no way in hell I could have done it alone - we had to heat up every single bolt that holds the cats on with a torch before using an impact wrench to get them off... it was a b1tch! but eventually we got the swing of everything and got it taken care of... it took about an hour to get the cats off and about 30 min to put the test pipes in... the only other problem we had was with the two of the bolts not wanting to come out (one on each cat - the upper-inside bolt on the header side of the cat) - we just left one in there on one side and on the other side, we drilled out the flange to make way for a bigger bolt (the flange seemed to be threaded in that hole only ???) - it was a learning experience for both of us to say the least - the good thing about it was that he had a chance to get a good look at the underside and recommended what kind of custom exhaust setup we should do... more on that later

now for my impressions - the car definitely seems to have more power in the mid to upper range (can definitely feel it more than the intake mod) so overall I'm happy with the results - the sound, as many have expained already, is not for everyone... it sounds a whole lot meaner when you're idling but it does get quite a bit raspy when your between 2500-3500 RPM's - after that it sounds mean again all the way up to redline... I did a couple 1/4 mi runs down an empty country road near my house, and I definitely feel like I'm on the verge of hitting a 100mph trap...we'll see if the pulley and grounding wires help any after tomorrow...

Overall, I'm very happy with them, despite the skepticism that I had going into this... I actually like the louder sound and the raspiness really doesn't bother me all that bad (I just look at it as more air flow = more HP)... if you think you can live with the sound, I strongly suggest the test pipes - for $190 shipped, it's one of the best bang-for-the-buck mods out there...

2003.5 Brillant Silver G35 coupe 5AT
JDM Clear Corners, Alum. Pedals, Pro-1 Short Ram Intake; Waiting to Install: UR Crank Pulley, Helix SS Test Pipes, Custom Grounding Kit

 

How about a sound clip? Did you combine the Helix Test pipes with the stock exhaust (cat-back)?

 

Very nice post. I really hope you can get some sound clips of both drive-bys and revving in neutral. (cuz they sound different)

I have an intake and I am planning to get some cats before an exhaust.
and there are no sound clips I could find with aftermarket cats + stock exhaust

I think I am leaning towards RT Cats but Test Pipes would be much cheaper...

 

So you have removed that cats altogeather. Very illegal,
isn't it?

2003 TwBlue 5AT Sedan, sunroof,
Graphite Leather, splashguards, HKS exhaust,
14 wire Grounding kit, 350Z duct, Stillen CAI
Underbody rear diffusers, Drilled alum pedals

 

I'm in S. Texas, so not many people care too much around here... I'll try to get some clips up this weekend if I can find the time... It definitely sounds better revving it in neutral, but it still isn't that bad during a drive-by (no not that kind of drive-by)... the rasp is there, but I'm already getting used to it (because it's not raspy really during normal driving - staying under 3K rpm's, just when I know I'm gonna gun it & I'm expecting it to be loud regardless) - I'll give everyone another review after a few more days, as I've heard the sound changes some after a few hundred miles...

2003.5 Brillant Silver G35 coupe 5AT
JDM Clear Corners, Alum. Pedals, Pro-1 Short Ram Intake, Helix SS Test Pipes; Waiting to Install: UR Crank Pulley, Custom Grounding Kit

 

Hey!
Hope you have time this weekend to play with your G...
don't forget we are eagerly awaiting your sound clips!!
=)


(I am very close to ordering either test pipes or RT Cats)

 

I've don't think I'm going to be able to post sound clips of just the test pipes with the stock exhaust because I have already began ordering parts for my custom exhaust... I can tell you this - it has been four days since these were installed and I do NOT regret putting these on one bit... the only time you hear a raspy tone is when you really get on it at low speeds (<40 mph) - I actually kinda like it... but I am looking to see if I can increase the flow further while decreasing the raspiness (replacing y-pipe w/ x-pipe and dual resonators should do the trick) - I will still try to post a sound clip sometime next week before I send my car in to begin the custom exhaust build (Thurs-Fri)...

2003.5 Brillant Silver G35 coupe 5AT
JDM Clear Corners, Alum. Pedals, Pro-1 Short Ram Intake, Helix SS Test Pipes; Waiting to Install: UR Crank Pulley, Custom Grounding Kit

 

did you get any CES light come on for this pipes. I got the light after about 100 miles of driving with the helix pipes on. It did not come on right away, but like I said, 100 miles later or so.
by the way it is a great performance mod and sounds meaner too.

 

I've had my Helix pipes on for about 1500 miles and no light for me.

 

I've had mine on for about 600-700 miles now and no light... the only problem I have is with the slight raspiness - but all that makes me do is keep the revs above 3K so I don't have to hear it!

2003.5 Brillant Silver G35 coupe 5AT
JDM Clear Corners, Alum. Pedals, Pro-1 Short Ram Intake (Blue Filter), Helix SS Test Pipes, UR Crank Pulley (Red), Custom Grounding Kit (Blue)

 

Awesome posts - im lookin at getting helix test pipes, some Dc sport headers and a crawford upper intake plenum all put in at the same time - do you think the raspiness will be to loud with the other mods? also do you think the gains will be worth the moeny?

 

I just got my helix test pipes installed today as well. It made my fujitsubo exhaust sound alot meaner. It got louder, but not ricey loud. I actually like the little raspiness the test pipes give. Powerwise, i definitely feel the difference in the mid to high rpm range.

 

Its always a good idea to free up the exhaust flow to gain more whp.

Tom