I got the Stillen Cat Back Exhaust Installed on Saturday morning for my 2003 G35 5AT Sedan.

I bought the exhaust from <a href="http://www.everythingg35.com">EverythingG35.com</a> for $950 plus shipping; so just under a grand. Justin matched the price for me. I went to a local muffler store and it cost me $75 for the install. I was there for exactly one hour. The install itself only took 45 minutes and another 15 minutes to have my 7th ground wire run to the transmission while it was lifted. The install itself went very smoothly; I wish I had taken pictures, but there are some on the board already. He removed the stock exhaust and swapped Stillen’s in without any problems or fitment issues.

When they were done, he started my car to pull it out…I couldn’t believe it was my G35!!! It sounded amazing! I then went for a long highway drive to Chicago.
Highway driving is very nice. You don’t even hear the exhaust when just cruising. I had the windows down and the only noise was the wind and road noise from other cars.
Local driving is different. You can definitely here the thing. It is loud and noticeable. It is not overbearing though. You can hear it with the windows closed as well.

As far as the droning noise others have mentioned; I would not call it that at all. When you are not on the gas, it’s almost unnoticeable, maybe somewhat like a low bass level. If you stay on the gas (i.e. low speeds and uphill driving) you hear it constantly, but it my opinion it sounds good.

When you start the car up; it’s one of the best feelings in the world! The car sounds great and is ready to go. As far as power, I might have lost a little, and I mean very little, low end torque. But, you can really feel the thing when you need it to move. I don’t want to comment too much on this, because like others, I want some number to back it up.

Overall it is a great system. If you are worried about the sound, do what I did and find a friend with a louder car and take a drive in it. I went with my friend in his Supra (no cats, after-market exhaust…plus more). If you do local driving and are conscious about your car being loud, I would say don’t get it. It is loud especially at lower speeds and slow moving traffic. If you don’t mind the noise level, get it. It’s that plain and simple. I turned quite a few heads driving by Eclipses, Grand Ams and even other G35s.

That’s about it. If I notice anything else worth reporting, I will do so. If you live in the north suburbs of Chicago and want to hear it, let me know.

One more thing…it looks really good. The ends stick out just enough to read the “Stillen” logo. I do have the full body aero-kit, so I don’t know how it looks on a “base body”.

Coolie

2003 G35 Sedan 5AT
{Z-Tube} {JWT_POP_Chrgr.} {V1} {21%_Tint} {Matte_Race_Pdls} {Blck_w/Grpht_Lthr} {Prm_Pkg.} {Sprt_Tuned} {Wntr-Sprt} {Nav.} {Xenon} {Sunroof} {Aero-Body_Kit_w/Spoiler} {Trunk_Mat}

 

Thanks for the review! Sounds like an excellent product. Question for you: Do you think it's too loud for very young children? Is it only loud if you are mashing the loud pedal, or is it also loud if you are driving old man style?

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Me failed English? That's unpossible!

 

It should be fine with young children, especially if you are driving "old man" style. On the other hand, I can't comment on the specifics of your driving habits. If you are constantly "holding" the gas, you will hear it; like I said, going uphill or slow traffic. But with the windows up, the cabin noise isn't bad. I haven't had to turn my radio any louder than pre-exhaust. And I don't have to talk louder to the other people in my car.

2003 G35 Sedan 5AT
{Z-Tube} {JWT_POP_Chrgr.} {V1} {21%_Tint} {Matte_Race_Pdls} {Blck_w/Grpht_Lthr} {Prm_Pkg.} {Sprt_Tuned} {Wntr-Sprt} {Nav.} {Xenon} {Sunroof} {Aero-Body_Kit_w/Spoiler} {Trunk_Mat}

 

Coolie, I installed the Stillen Cat Back Exhaust on my coupe about 1 month ago and agree with your initial impressions. If your experiences are similar to mine, you will notice a definite mellowing of the exhaust tone after 200 -300 miles of driving. The noise level definitely subsides, but under WOT, the sound is still much more aggressive (and fun) then stock.

 

thanks for the input StillenizedG. I actually love the sound and hope for an INCREASE! haha, but i guess the subdued sound after break in will sound more "refined", which will be nice.

Did I mention it sounds AWESOME when starting?! LOL, I can't get enough...took an extra break from work just now to go for a ride.

Coolie

2003 G35 Sedan 5AT
{Z-Tube} {JWT_POP_Chrgr.} {V1} {21%_Tint} {Matte_Race_Pdls} {Blck_w/Grpht_Lthr} {Prm_Pkg.} {Sprt_Tuned} {Wntr-Sprt} {Nav.} {Xenon} {Sunroof} {Aero-Body_Kit_w/Spoiler} {Trunk_Mat}

 

Hey StillenizedG, Im looking at gettting the Stillen Cat Back Exhaust on my coupe as well....where did you get yours from and how much? Im pretty much right next door to Stillen and mite just go up there and get it installed from them....just curious as to what it sounds like...do you have any clips?

 

Just read his post if you want to know where and how much...

'03 G35s 5AT, Garnet Fire/Willow
Staggered 18" SSR GT1/Bridgestone PP S03
Eibach Springs/Sways, Stillen 2-pc BBK
Stillen Intake & SS Cat-Back Dual Exhaust

 

If you would read my post correctly it stated that I asked StillenizedG where he got his from since his was a coupe and not Coolie.

 

How is the stock tip compared to stock, is it bigger and by how much?

 

The stock tips and Stillen tips are the same diameter across, 3". The stock tip metal is a little thicker. The Stillen Exhaust tips have a slight (and very nice looking) slanted cut to the them, with Stillen written on each.

Coolie

2003 G35 Sedan 5AT
{Z-Tube} {JWT_POP_Chrgr.} {V1} {21%_Tint} {Matte_Race_Pdls} {Blck_w/Grpht_Lthr} {Prm_Pkg.} {Sprt_Tuned} {Wntr-Sprt} {Nav.} {Xenon} {Sunroof} {Aero-Body_Kit_w/Spoiler} {Trunk_Mat}

 

Great fun. Get one. Don't know how young you're talking but my two boys, 6 and 12, could give a rip. The oldest thinks the race car exhaust is cool. Real young ones won't know what's up anyway. It really is only "intrusive" if, like Coolie says, you're holding the gas steady around the 2500-3000 rpm range. Below that, no difference really from stock, maybe a little more rumble. From 3000 on nothing but beautiful music. Above 4000 you're rewarded with a nice kick in the pants and a powerful roar. Most cool. At highway speed and cruising just slightly louder than stock but with a nice buzz to it. I drive mostly in manumatic so I can control to a certain degree what the exhaust does. You're quickly past the drone zone if you're going around town in 2nd. for example. Finally, as stated, start up sound will give you a big dorky grin every day. I would really miss the sound (even with the occassional intrusion) if somehow this mod went away.

P.S. The stock tips alone should be enough incentive for anyone to ditch the standard exhaust. I couldn't wait to retire those things.

03.5 5AT-S (Black-Willow-Premium-Sport-Aero-GroundingGear™-Silverstars-PIAA-PopCharger-Z Tube-Tint-Stillen Dual Exhaust)

 

hey - does everybody's sedan cat back tips have Stillen embossed into them? I have a early production system with clean tips, and wonder if other potential changes were made to current production? Did get two little stickers though...

2004 | 6MTs | Diamond Graphite/Graphite
Upstate NY

 

geeman, pretty much newborn on the age. If we time it right, and if the '05s look good, we will take delivery in December, 1 month before delivery. :-)

I think I will have to take a chance on the Stillen, and then work back toward the engine.

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Me failed English? That's unpossible!

 

I was also impressed by the exhaust note when you brought the car over. Now you need to pick up those headers and racepipes to complement the upgrade. Then we can dyno it at SP and make sure those HP claims are legit.

<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by bludemon on 06/08/04 01:13 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

Roy,

I got my Cat Back directly from Stillen at MSRP less a few % discount. My local Infiniti dealer installed the Cat Back, Intake Box and Headers for about $1100 - pretty expensive, but they did a great job and it took a full day.