Hey guys, I had my new exhaust system installed yesterday - 2 1/4" pipe w/ Flowmaster muffler, stainless tailpipe, and no resonator. My first impression of the sound was "HOLY SH_T!". It's loud! Much louder than the old system. But it does sound very nice.

I have a question tho - is this type of setup supposed to sound like it's backfiring? Under deceleration it sounds like it's backfiring. And under low accel conditions it has a nice low growl, but when I stomp on it, it has a high tinny sound - very different from the low accel condition. I guess this is the "turbo" effect?

Unfortunately I have to bring it back because the tailpipe isn't centered in the car's exhaust opening at the rear, and the damn thing is banging against the opening. :|

That backfiring is called back pressure.Listen to the 18 wheeler as they let off the gas.Same thing. Daniel

I don't think so. I think I didn't describe it correctly. It's more of a pop-pop-pop sound. Backfiring would be like an M-80 going off - it's nothing like that.

I used the word "backfire' because that the term you used.Although you have a muffler,you basically have a straight pipe exhaust.The resonator stopped some of that.My thinking is still backpressure.Ever hear a lawnmower without a muffler when you let off the gas,or a race car?Your old exhaust muted that.Your new one with thelarger diameter and free flow is a megaphone.There are other issues that can cause that ,but they would affect performance drastically.Since yours started with the new exhaust thats where I have to look.I'm not a fortune teller but I think I see a resonator install in your futureLOL . Daniel

Possibly. I had this setup installed with the thought of installing a resonator later if I thought I needed it. Too soon to tell right now though, I have to drive it a while to see if I like/dislike it.

Hey, it could be worse, you could have put a set of those el cheapo twice pipes on like I did on my first Z. You should have heard it two weeks later when the glass burned out of the "mufflers".

I think you will get used to it, I did very quickly, now I won't have a Z without at least 2 1/4 or 2 1/2 pipe and a turbo muffler.

BTW, if you want to hear something pretty loud, come and listen to my 280 with a straight 2 1/2 pipe with no muffler. Sounded oh so sweet at about 6500 rpm's under the bridge at Summit Point.

I installed a similar system on my 240 except it was a 2.5 with turbo muffler. My exhaust came in several pices and each section had a clamp and U bolt. Also inorder to hook it up to my 6 into 2 headers i had to use a rubber mallet and bang it in there. You need a tight fit or your going to have a leak. I suppose with a sectional pipe if you leak exhaust anywhere it's going to be louder at idle, moreover when you get on it it might make sense that it's going to sound like it's backfiring. The muffler came with a thick leather strap to hook it up with. Basically there are several holes and you just bolt it up there. I had to cut it in half and force it in the last hole to make it tight inorder to prevent it from sounding like a bongo at high speed. As for a resonators i have no experience with them, my engine sounds so good now i took out the radio.

I see a resinator in your future. I have the 6 into 1 with a 2 1/2 pipe. I didn't want that "turbo rice burner" sound. The resinator cleaned it up. It sounds like a V-8 with headers & exhaust. You'll love it!

Maybe i'm missing the whole resonator thing since i really don't know what one is. My muffler is a thrush sold by msa and it certainly does not sound like those hated rice burning fart pipes that the kids in my town insist on putting on their rides. Infact most people think i have a V8. I wouldn't do that to my Z.

Originally posted by Dan

As for a resonators i have no experience with them, my engine sounds so good now i took out the radio.

! Dude, I've been driving around all day and the same exact thought crossed my mind. I'm already in love with this sound. When I level out the throttle it sings to me - it actually lets out a guitar type feedback sound, like it's singing. When I let off the gas it grumbles like it's pissed we're slowing down. My next upgrade was going to be a stereo but now I'm not sure .

The one thing that is really starting to worry me though is, am I going to get pulled over for noise? I have to be VERY careful with the throttle or else it sounds like you're at a drag strip .

And btw I found the source of the banging. My exhaust man forgot to bolt the tailpipe hanger to the nylon hanger - oops. He got an earful today .

edit: oh yeah - it sounds nothing like rice, in fact I don't think it's even got the "European tone". My exhaust guy swore my engine wasn't stock when I fired it up after he got done. The sound is very deep at the low end of 1st and 2nd gear, then goes high at 3500 to 4000 rpm when I step into it. Under regular acceleration it smooths out very quickly from the low growl and almost disappears. I'm going to try to get a good quality sound sample of it - would anyone be interested in hearing this?

Right on man hit the gas and let it sing!.

TOM:

Just think of all the possibilities for the bucks you save by not putting in the stereo..............