Xerd test pipes are 2 1/2 in diameter, both connections onto the oem Y-pipe are 2 1/4". That's going to give you a 1/8 high ring in the flow path and the oem Y-pipe is horrible to begin with. If you plan on going with a aftermarket Y-pipe that has 2 1/2" pipe's, that would be great, stick with the Xerd's. But (here we go again) that Y-pipe will have a 3" collector, your oem mid pipe is 2 1/2, yet another problem for flow. Ok ok, get the Xerd, follow up with a quality Y-pipe to match and spend all of $20 to add on a trasisition piece to smoothly blend 3" to 2 1/2", problems solved.

"All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing.”
Edmund Burke

G35 6mt

 

Gsedan thanks for the info, but im going with the Borla TD cat back system, hwo will it work with that?


Martin
2003.5 BS G35
Nismo Aero/Sport Package
Injen CAI
B+G Springs
ADR M-Classic 19's..

 

That's exactly why I'm also thinking about the HKS muffler...for a deeper, more aggressive sound; I'm looking for a littler bit closer in sound to our FX35, and I don't want to go with an entire cat-back exhaust system. Let us know what you think after it's installed. Also, are you doing the install, and if so, how easy/difficult is it? I've been quoted an extra $100 or so from a local custom exhaust/muffler shop...seems a bit steep, considering the HKS muffler is about $400 without install.

One last thing...I've also considered having my current stock exhaust 'resonators' removed and switching out the ss muffler tips for nicer, longer ones, but again, the muffler shop quoted me about $200 for this, so it seems a bit ridiculous. Anyone have any thoughts about this? Thanks.



2004.5 G35-S 5AT Black/Willow - Prem, R. Spoiler, Navi, Infiniti Sport Wheels, Alum Pedals, Dark Tint, Z Tube, K&N Filter

 

Thanks, I had a feeling just removing the stock resonator might be a waste of $$. So, now I'm stll considering the HKS muffler or I'll do nothing...looking for a couple guys' feedback on sound, performance, and ease of installation after they install the HKS muffler.



2004.5 G35-S 5AT Black/Willow - Prem, R. Spoiler, Navi, Infiniti Sport Wheels, Alum Pedals, Dark Tint, Z Tube, K&N Filter

 

I can confirm that. I installed the coupe midpipe then the HKS muffler. After a couple of hours of highway driving up and down hills my nerves were on edge from the drone. Switched back to the stock sedan midpipe and problem fixed. Live and learn. The muffler tips are wider than stock. It produces a nice sound that is not at all like a fart can. If I can figure out how to attach a soundclip I'll get one.

The HKS muffler is easy to install. Have a couple of jackstands, a 14mm deep socket, and WD40 ready. It comes with a gasket.

Anyone want to buy a slightly used coupe midpipe?

2K4 G35x/Brilliant Silver/Graphite/Premium/Wood
Stillen Hi-Flow/ Z tube/ Crawford V5/ Ground Kit/
HKS exhaust<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by Xman on 07/25/04 08:46 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

Exhaust finally came in today. Here are some pics. A few of them are slightly blurred....I apologize. The plan is to have the muffler mounted tomorrow. Enjoy!

 

A couple of observations:

If you take a look at pic #2, you'll see that one tip is slightly longer than the other......this is to follow the curvature of the bumper.....pretty neat huh!

The diameter of the HKS tips is ~3.25" while the stock tips are ~2.85".

The design is fairly straight through as you can see in the close up pics.

The hardware consists of a gasket, two bolts and two nuts.

The muffler is really nice and looks like a high quality piece.

I've captured sound clips of the stock exhaust. Once I capture the note of the HKS muffler, I'll post side by side comparisons (I've never posted links to sound clips so you guys will have to help me out......I'll probably need someone to host them for me).

Thats all for now. Keep you posted....

 

Thanks for posting the pics...it looks super nice. How long are the HKS ss tips? The stock tips are 4" long and I wouldn't mind having nice 6" ss tips that stick out a couple inches or so; I think the Sedan would look good if they stuck out 2"-3" in the rear.

Please post your thoughts on the sound and any perceived power increase after you install it, and if possible, maybe you could post a video or sound clip. Other people who just have this HKS muffler seem to like it. Thanks again.



2004.5 G35-S 5AT Black/Willow - Prem, R. Spoiler, Navi, Infiniti Sport Wheels, Alum Pedals, Dark Tint, Z Tube, K&N Filter<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by bsgoren on 07/26/04 07:37 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

OK. Just ran out with the measure tape.

The long tip of the HKS is 8" at its peak point while the short tip is 7.25". In comparison, the stock tip is 5.75" at its peak (ie. the top of the tip).

The overall length all depends on whether the ends of the canister (i.e. the flat surface before the tips start) on both the stock and HKS end up in the same place. If so, the HKS will end up with tips that are 2.25" and 1.50" inches longer, respectively.

Following your comments about the tips extending out like the 330i's, I don't them will extend pass the bumper like the bimmers.

I do think with the slightly longer length and bigger diameter, it will look slightly more aggressive than stock.

 

The gist from this entire thread is that the stillen is not a good choice if we want to maintain a "luxury" car sound? What does simply adding the coupe Y pipe do? Is that purely an accoustic change or is there a performance effect as well?

Sound clips would be awesome for those who volunteered.

 

Wrk_hrd,


It is a very nice peace of metal. I'd be somewhat sorry to put it in the place where it will get dirty

Can you measure stock inlet size versus HKS pls.

Thank you.

***04 G35s 5AT/Sport***
***04 Volvo XC90 T6***

 

Will do.

I believe they are the same size as the two flanges (with the gasket in-between) are the same size/shape.

Nonetheless, I'll confirm.

 

So, here's my solution...it doesn't improve the exhaust note and it doesn't increase the HP, but I think these new ss exhaust tips look a whole lot better than the stock ss "caps" that come with the G35 Sedan.

I bought these at a local exhaust/muffler shop and for less than $100 installed (they cut a couple inches off the muffler pipes and welded the new ss exhaust tips on), this is the look I was hoping to get...notice how I had them stagger the tips so the left one is about 1/4" in farther, following the natural curvature of the rear bumper (which is similar to the HKS muffler). They are 3" outlet oval, 6" long ss tips. Not that I like the BMW 3 Series all that much (excluding the M3 ;-), but I do think the 330i std. stock exhaust tips are very nice; this is kind of the look I was going for.

Again, if you're just going for a better look, then something like this could be another less expensive option; otherwise, the HKS muffler ($395 + shipping) seems to be good solution, but a full cat-back system ($600+) or better is really needed to significantly improve the exhaust note (and maybe add some HP). I think these longer ss tips should have been std. on the G35 Sedan, but for less than $100, I think they'll do. ;-)



2004.5 G35-S 5AT Black/Willow - Prem, R. Spoiler, Navi, Infiniti Sport Wheels, Alum Pedals, Dark Tint, Z Tube, K&N Filter<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by bsgoren on 07/28/04 01:29 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

311311-new ss exhaust tips.jpg

 

Another view of my new ss exhaust tips...



2004.5 G35-S 5AT Black/Willow - Prem, R. Spoiler, Navi, Infiniti Sport Wheels, Alum Pedals, Dark Tint, Z Tube, K&N Filter

311312-new ss exhaust tips2.jpg