It's time to focus on performance and sound while the interior and exterior are well on their way to coming together.

I'm fairly convinced that the FI RHFCs are the choice way to open up the bottleneck in the exhaust. I'll order my own, independently if a group buy doesn't become available.

As far as CBE, the jury remains out. I had the displeasure of hearing ARK Grip cat backs in person. They sound very much like the YouTube videos of the same exhaust. That is to say it's easily one of the worst sounding systems available. It's worse still at a $1500+ price point.

So, now the task of deciding on an exhaust that will work with the vert that sounds worth a s#!t. Akrapovic exhaust is titanium and therefore very expensive (around $4k).But, the sound is a considerable improvement over the sad sounding ARK. I'm hoping to have a live listen to GThaus Meisterschaft CBE as the video clips sound great. Does anyone have experience in the GThaus setup on verts? if I'm going to spend $2500, I'd hope it sounds great. (edit: found the GThaus for around $1600 before install)

 

I have a GTHaus but not for a vert, but I doubt it'll sound any different. They sound great in videos, but easily 10x better in person. I wouldn't be happy with any other exhaust.

 

That's what I'd hoped to hear. I get a reasonably good impression of the overall sound from the videos. I feel like the live sound wouldn't disappoint.

I suppose a quick review of your account would answer a few questions. But, why not just ask? Sway are you running RHFCs? Since we seem to be on the same page with regard to exhaust, what are your thoughts on intake? Seems fairly unnecessary to me. But, I could be swayed (excuse the intended pun).

 

Fogs arrived today (1/6/16). First fitment, in the chrome trim bit, is absolutely perfect. This might the one!

Excuse the s#!t vinyl job. Just used a spare strip for practice on the rounded bits.

Installing the wiring and switch this weekend when I tear down the interior. The fogs will go in with the new bumper. Want the ground work done for easy install.

UPDATE 1: Ran the wiring for the fog lights. Tested and look great. Next step is to install the sport bumper and plug and play the lights. Hardwired the radar detector while messing about with the electrical system.

 

I do not have the FI RHFC's but they are my next mod I plan on buying in a month or so... Maybe sooner. Followed by an ECUTEK tune. It's supposed to deepen the tone and that is my only (yet mild) complaint. I wish the tone was a little lower and deeper. But the cats are supposed to do that, and so is the m370 intake manifold, which I have a ported one in the garage I need to install... But I opted for the full GThaus catback and could only be happier if it were the titanium version. Under normal driving conditions it's not too loud at all. But it's insanely loud at WOT over 3k rpms... It's also very unique sounding. And there's no drone until around 90mph in 6th gear, and even then it's easily overcome by the radio.

As for intakes, ultimately chose the Stillen gen 3's because they're supposed to give you a little more hp/tq over the Takeda (negligible I'm sure.) and they look really nice. It did make the car sound more aggressive and a little louder, but not by much. It did add a Slight VQ decel hiss to it... But only 1 out of 3 friends could tell what I was talking about. Lol. It seems obvious to me when reving with the door open, but only then. I don't know how much I actually gained from the intakes, but the butt dyno approves. I feel like I gained a little of the low end back, and like it pulls much smoother throughout the powerband. But it could be a placebo idk. Either way, for sure would buy again. Are you swayed?? Lol

I see you're not far from Houston... I live about an hour and a half or less southwest of there. I'm off on weekends if you wanted to hear the car in person before committing to buy, just let me know.

Feel free to ask anymore questions and/or check out my build thread!

 

I'd email the GTHaus support to see if there are any issues with vert fitment. You may be the first one to go for the full cat back.

 

Hoping for a FI RHFC group buy myself. But, it looks like it'll take a few months to get an order shipped direct. So, holding out for a group buy may take a little too long. Ideally, I'd like to have all exhaust work done by April (intake (if I do it), mid pipe, y-pipe, rhfc, cbe).

I'm interested in the m370 intake manifold. You said yours was ported. What are you expecting when you throw that on? Reasonable price point?

I'm also planning on having an ECUTEK tune done. I've been in touch with Amber Logsdon at JTran Studios. I need to give her a call and update my plans. But, I want to put down a few stock dyno runs to achieve a proper baseline for the mods going forward. Where are you having your tune performed? Let me know how it goes if we don't end up doing them around the same time.

Fairly convincing argument for the intake. I'll admit I like the look. The sound is probably on point. But, I'll have to wait and see if it's in the cards. Negligible power gains, potential loss of torque, $600 + splash guards + price of case of beer for assistance installing... Just not 100 on it.

I really appreciate the offer to come down and check out the exhaust. I'm 35 minutes north of Houston. I'm also off most weekends. Let's grab coffee near you one upcoming weekend. I'll PM you.

 

Thanks Cereal. I'll definitely get in touch with GTHaus support to see what issues may arise.

Unfortunately, (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) I won't be the first vert or even the first obsidian black vert gthaus install. The videos are pretty convincing of the sound quality:


Love your vert cereal. That 370 fi rear diffuser is on my list for sure.

 

I think a back to back comparison on the same car with (assuming) the same recording device/mic tells the tale.

Ark here isn't as abhorrent as I've heard on other cars. Nevertheless, the gthaus is undeniably superior (with regard to my preferences).

Ark has an aftermarket, tuner kid sound. While the gthaus unabashedly expresses it's thirst for blood, or so my ears register. Obviously, everyone will have their preferences. I, so far, prefer the throaty, trumpeted sound the gthaus produces.

 

Cbe includes the mid and y pipe btw.. Without those 2 pieces it's just an axle back. But you'll have a similar "air chain." Stillen CAI, Ported M370, (eventually ported TB's and lower intake mani), FI RHFC's, and full GTHaus exhaust... Maybe even stillen headers later.

I got my manifold from a guy who was parting out his G, so yes, I got it at a very good price point lol. I know the m370 gives really good power throughout the entire rev range (especially mid range which is the most usable) except the last 300 rpms it tends to lose 2-3 hp. Which is negligible, idk why ppl freak out about that... Anyway the porting will probably fix that anyway.

Jtran studios is great! They did my rear gears for me. They really took care of me, even buffed out a large scratch on my side skirt for free! I asked them how much to do that while they had the car, and they just did it! ... They are a little on the expensive side, but I'm confident in their abilities. However I know nothing about their tuner. My original plan was to go to them for tuning... But after seeing so much on Seb w/specZ I'm planning on going with him. I've even see him get gains over other ECUTEK retunes without adding any mods.

As for the CAI, I really advise you to look it up here and on the370z. No, it's not huge gains, but they are great gains as far as a CAI go. And as for potential tq loss, hate to tell you, but that happens with your first breather mod, such as an exhaust, and it's only at the low end. Typically. But also from what I gather once you get tuned, it'll gain that back, and obviously more. And on top of that, my Stillen intakes came with a splash guard. So I don't think it's extra $$$... And a ton of ppl run them without the shields no problem. Dont drive through a lake and you'll be okay. Lol... If you're up for a drive and get them, I'd help you install them in my driveway where I did mine. It's not that big of a deal.


No prob on the meet up offer. Before I got my cbe I really wanted to hear the exhausts I was considering in person before committing but that just wasn't an option. So I ended up just trusting Diego and pulling the trigger on the GTHaus, and luckily couldn't be any happier. My GF and I were going to Houston for her moms bday tomorrow, but she's staying over night and I work Monday, so she's going by herself now :P

 

Cusco is done getting color across the chrome. Mounts will be black. Still need to pull them off and hit them with vht black.

Engine bay is going to be next while doing the wiring for the fog lights. My electrical guy is coming down tomorrow.

 

What did you find for the convertible rear camber?

 

I really haven't any camber issues. I don't think I'm planning on lowering it any longer. Frankly it's starting to really grow on me just as it is.

I like about 2 fingers space between tire and arch. It's just over that as it sits bone stock. I could spend a few grand getting a little closer. But, it just isn't that important to me. If money were absolutely no concern, I'd throw thousands at fine tuning the slightest things. But, money saved on suspension today is better spent on performance tomorrow.

Don't hold me to that though. I could change my mind tonight and order suspension.

 

Well s#!t. I've been swayed. Stillen gen 3 it seems to be. I do want to hear them. The r2c with hex filters look the best in the bay. But, I didn't like the sound they made at all.
What's the consensus on doing just intake and rhfc? I don't need exhaust all that soon. I'd like to open up the bottle neck a little and help her breathe easier. Thoughts?

Saving money on the exhaust system opens up a few bucks for the rear diffuser and keeps the checking account flush for a while.

 

FI RHFC's will net you the most gain. There's nothing wrong with getting an intake and cats first. I opted for the exhaust first simply because it made the biggest difference in enjoyment and feel of the car for me personally. Even if there were no gains on the exhaust (which is not the case, but hypothetically) I still would enjoy the car more because the sound is so mean and it makes it FEEL faster. My friends BMW is totally quicker than my car, but my car feels faster simply because of the sound. It's a placebo effect I suppose. Just remember, its your money and your car! Do what makes you happy with it! If money's tight, you can always opt for just the axle back, and get the mid and y pipes later.