So I contacted my local performance exhaust shop and got this for my '09 G37 sedan....

"we recommend going to a true dual system from the cats back using an x-pipe and installing 2 or 4 magnapacks depending on how loud you want it to be. If you go with 2 magnapacks it'd be like $650 and if you went with 4 it'd be like $850"

just doesn't sound like a very good solution or cost vs. some of the cat-back/axle-back systems from the big brands.

Thoughts?

 

I'd go with something like Invidia, Tanabe, HKS, Ark, etc that has been through R&D.

 

I agree with BJ.. For almost the same price you can have the Invidia which has gone through a lot of R&D specific to our cars..

 

To me it's 50/50. Cost might be similar or slightly less with a custom built system from a local shop. Should you have problems, you can drive it right in and talk to the guys who built and installed it, rather than contacting a vendor (probably not local to you) who in turn has to talk to the manufacturer and have down time while you send it back and get it replaced. Local shop can put it on the lift and see exactly what the problem is in person.

Buying a prefab system from a reputable manufacturer and distributor, you know what the end result will look and sound like form member feedback and sound clips. You know that some amount of R&D has gone into the product to maximize gains to be marketable. The pre fab systems for the G37 are all pretty good looking, a locally made one might be a bit uglier.

Toss up.

 

I agree with both points....but what to do. Best bang for the budget-minded buck? The wife would file if I blew too much on this. Just want a nice deep, non-raspy tone, with minimal interior eardrum flapping drone. The so-called performance gains aren't enought to have me spending thousands. Should the Tanabe be my target?

Thanks!

 

IMO, this is exactly what you want. I had it. It was a tiny bit too loud for my work at the time so I got rid of it. Now that I work for myself from home, I may be getting one again, this time the full system (Y, mid, mufflers).

I have bought numerous times from this ebay seller and they sell legit product (no knockoffs) and have excellent shipping and service. they are the cheapest I've found on the Tanabe Medallion Touring.
TANABE MEDALION TOURING EXHAUST 08 09 INFINITI G37 2DR: eBay Motors (item 190324923020 end time Jun-23-10 21:01:14 PDT)

 

Tanabe's are relatively quiet according to many members especially for the sedan. Please take in account that the sound you get from a sedan and a coupe is going to be drastically different even if the exhaust is from the same manufacturer.

I advise you check out some @ a local meet and hear different setups in person. Those youtube clips do no system justice.

GL.

 

Also think if you are somewhat performance minded most shops just use a standard tube bender. Big companies use a Mandrel bender. Better flow because not crimping pipe for bends.

 

The problem I am also running into is a toss up as I haven't found a pre-made exhaust that makes the sound of the Zele. Viddler.com - Zele Performance 370z Complete Edition Type-2 Exhaust Demonstration - Uploaded by GTRBlog

I can only assume the only route to go would be through a custom shop although the 3 I have contacted have said they couldn't do it. Sadly seeing as this exhaust isn't for our car in the first place, save for possible mounting points that no seller of this product can tell me would work, bumper modification would be a big thing to try to even attempt to fit this "as is".

Personally I would say go for a pre-made if possible a lot of times custom runs into "guess and check" for the sound piece and most of the time people who I have seen done it locally on their 350Z's end up taking them off for a pre-fab big brand anyway.

 

For sedans looking to add more tone, why pay $650+ for Tanabe axle backs, when a Universal stainless muffler is $50 and some pipe work install maybe $100...$200 out the door for same effect, or am I missing the boat here too? (performance and car show stats aside, cause it's fast enough and I don't care about trophies).

 

ok so I'm back to thinking about this again & appreciate the feedback so far....

IF I were to go with the local performance muffler shop (Muffler Tech in Sacramento) and have them custom fab a catback for me, which mufflers should I be looking at to get a nice deep growl that isn't ricey & raspy? The sedan is simply too damn quiet & I need to hear more. Have not been impressed with the Magnaflow soundclips on youtube....almost sounds quieter than stock? The Tanabe's are $850 for axleback?? Damn it, that's $850 for just bolt-on mufflers.....no friggin way. And good lord on the branded catbacks at $1500-2500.....no FRIGGIN way.

It seems that going with a custom fab gives me many more options from what I can tell. Again IF I do this, how should I have them set it up from the cats back...what's the recommended layout? There's also the thought of not changing anything but the mufflers in a cut-n-weld scenario keeping the stock tubing & tips??? This is driving me nuts....

Thanks everyone!
-MOB

 

Fast Intentions uses Sebring mufflers, and it's a nice sounding catback. I suppose you could buy the mufflers for your custom job. Only thing about a custom exhaust, I'd be afraid of drone. It might take some trial and error to get it right.

 

I know so little about this kinda stuff....what is the culprit that causes drone?

 

I would prob go with Invidia Gemini if you order them from Lou@amplified a vender on the forums they may cost like $820 shipped he is out of SoCal ....and most of the big name cat backs use from cats y pipes to x pipes to mids to mufflers... good luck and keep us updated ps btw prob the least expensive cat back and sounds bad as*... check it out on you tube

YouTube - new INVIDIA gemini exhaust for g35 sedan by AMPLIFIED MOTORSPORT

 

Vibrant mufflers are absolutely outstanding. If I were going custom like that, I'd get a pair of those. They have a few different kinds to choose from as well. Stainless and flat black. I had a pair on my maxima and I loved them.

Vibrantperformance.com