All, thought I would share the end of my long quest for the perfect exhaust (for me). As you all know, options are limited for our Verts, mostly due to the additional bracing under the car. Also, I was looking for a lower toned, more refined sound than most of the other aftermarket options offer. Not looking for loud, raspy, "racer" sound. There are a couple of newer GTRs in the neighborhood and I think this system sounds similar to their stock exhaust sound, which is very nice!

The custom exhaust I installed is a direct copy of the system a YouTuber called Speed Culture Studios created for his 3.7 Q50. I personally LOVE the low tone, refined sound from this system. I will attached several links below for both my car, as well as Speed Culture Studios key videos describing the system, sound clips, and parts list.

Here are the basics:

• Cat back system (I kept stock cats, Speed Culture's has Test Pipes)
• I did the whole system in 2.5" Stainless
• Borla 400286 Universal Pro XS Mufflers (x1)
• Flowmaster 71416 FlowFX Resonators (x2)
• 4" or 6" Flex Pipe (x2) (Optional)
• Flanges (x2)
• Gaskets (x2)

Pics of my system:





Here are links to sound clips of my car: (listen with good head phones or on stereo, or you will miss the low tones that set this system apart from most)

Cold Start
Launch
Drive by on Curve

Here are links to two key vids from Speed Culture Studio (original creator of this system)


I am sharing with the community because our Verts are often overlooked by the aftermarket because of smaller numbers and the "old guys car" perception. I hope this helps others in the community!

 

I am located in Tucson, AZ. Here is the name and address of the shop that did the work if you are interested and near Tucson. They have done many of the local hot rods and other custom exhausts around town. Justin is the owner. Great guy! Quality work at a good price.

Leon’s Exhaust Works
5294 N. Casa Grande Highway, Ste 110
Tucson, AZ 85743

 

I too have run into this issue but stillen model 504402 is a direct fit and sounds very similar. Not sure on pricing for the custom exhaust but that model I believe goes for $1,400

 

the Stillen exhaust looks nice and I did consider it. This exhaust set up is about $600 - $800 LESS than the Stillen (labor, and Aluminized or Stainless tubing are variables) and sounds better in my opinion.

I have no personal investment in this custom system. I was just sharing another option for members of our community to consider. I know it was a home run for me.

 

that’s honestly not that bad I would’ve definitely went that route had I lived in the area but unfortunately I am not too familiar with anyone that does that kind of work in my area so I am going to pull the trigger on these Stillen’s soon.

 

That speed cultures studio exhaust sounds great and is priced very reasonably.

 

How is the volume at idle or slow speed. I live in a 55 and over community. Don't want to **** the neighbors off in the morning

 

Prior to my answer, remember "your results may vary." All it takes is 1 "Nancy" in the neighborhood to cause a stink...trust me I know. So it is very dependent on your specific neighbors.

With that said, here is my feedback on the exhaust:

I also live in a 55 and older neighborhood. It is fairly "upscale" and the houses all sit on between .4 to 1.0 acer lots. We have a pretty strict HOA.

The car is not loud at all at idle after warmed up. You can stand at back of the car and carry on a normal conversation with just a slight low grumble from the exhaust in the background. Anywhere else next to the car, you can hardly tell it is running...just a very slight low tone, maybe similar to a bone stock V8 mustang, camero, vette, etc. On cold start up it is a little louder for just a minute or two.

I am always respectful when I leave our neighborhood. I manually shift below 2k and am in 3rd or 4th gear going 30-35 through the neighborhood. I asked my wife for her perspective inside the house when I leave. She said, "It's not obnoxious by any stretch. I can hear a low tone as you drive off and around the corner about 25-50 yards away. But I am trying listening for it." I also have a Yamaha Raider (v twin cruiser like a Harley) with custom pipes and baffles inserted (so not loud compared to most Harleys), and a 2002 Ford F-250 7.3 diesel with 4" straight pipe exhaust. Both are significantly louder than the G37 for reference.

What I love about this exhaust is that it is more subdued, refined, and low/clean tone. Most other aftermarket systems are louder with more "rasp" ie noise. That is what most of the younger crowd likes. What I call Ricer/Street Racer sound, (no disrespect or judgement. You all do you. No need to "flame" me.) and this engine naturally can make a lot of that. This is why the non-convertibles are so popular with the younger, modders/street racers. In my opinion, this exhaust is the best I have heard on these cars at getting rid of the rasp/noise and delivering a refined, deep, more subdued sound more similar to performance Euro cars like BMW M5, Porsche, etc

With that said, please remember my opening comment, your results (ie neighbors) may/will vary at some level.

Also, because we are talking about driving at low RPMs in this post, I will reiterate, I get a pretty significant low drone inside the car when accelerating between 1,500 and 2,200 RPMs. This appears to be worse in the convertibles than coupe or sedan. I am currently working on the side to identify a solution that will eliminate/mitigate the drone in that low RPM range. Looking into weight on a momentum arm attached to exhaust at different locations, sound/vibration deadening matting (dynamat, etc) to stop vibration/resonance in the trunk area, etc. I will post a follow up when I nail a solution. Until then, it is not enough of an issue to keep me from enjoying the great sound and better performance throughout the remaining 90% of the range. I just drive with the paddle shifters and keep the RPMs at 2k or above most of the time (unless in my neighborhood ; ) )

Also, this custom set up is so inexpensive compared to most other aftermarket systems, that you can ask the exhaust shop to keep your stock system for a week or two and if you really don't like it, swap it back and sell the parts of the custom system.

These things are so subjective. My biggest stress was that I couldn't hear it in person before I did it and I was the first convertible so that was a variable as well. But thanks to Speed Culture Studios doing a lot of great videos, I felt this really hit the sweet spot for me and what I was looking for. I was not disappointed at all. This is exactly why I posted as much information on this system here, including my own videos and links to Speed Culture's videos as well. So others could have as much information as possible to help make their decision. Hope this helps!

One final note: The first day I had my exhaust, my wife and I pulled into a parking lot of a furniture store and I parked a space away from a couple (about 65). The man made a point of looking at the car and said "nice exhaust!" Made my day and, in my opinion, affirms what I have said about the tone, volume, refinement, etc. I regularly get POSSIVE looks, nods, thumbs up, etc from all ages, but most notably 30 and up.

 

Thanks. Sounds like what I'm looking for. I have to admit I don't have the car yet. But this is the way I think I'll go. What mileage do think is too high to consider buying?

 

When I got rid of my leased 15 vert I had 23k on the car. Such a shame giving it up but it was so upside down on price. I just bought another with 56k miles on it that was priced decently. If you’re going to get this car do your research and plan on spending some time and money on the basics first before going straight to aftermarket items. Last thing you want to do is not take care of the basics spend money on aftermarket stuff then run into a serious issue. Been building mine out since July but started with checking the basics.

 

This is my second G37 convertible. I like the first one so much I bought another! First was 2009. Sold it with 90K. New one is 2013 with 32K. Just bought it about 3 months ago. These are very reliable cars if you do your regular maintenance. The biggest worry I have is some day the top stops working. That can be VERY expensive to fix. I tease my wife every time I put the top down with her in the car I murmur $9,000, $9,000, $9,000.....the whole time it is going down or up. (LOL!) Other than that, typical Japanese reliability and durability.

 

Did this exhaust shop that you gave the name for - did they do everything for you custom or did you need to buy some of the parts ahead of time? I am All new to exhaust world on my G37 Vert

 

Paul I went with an invidia gemini for the vert literally sold on Amazon for under a grand for the full cat back system at my door in a day. Installed on the vert with no issue. That’s an option for you.

 

I’m having the same system put on my 2010 vert next week. Bought it new, just never modded it. Got bored during covid and started tinkering. Here are some before pics.

 

Per my write up above, I bought all the parts listed and provided them to the exhaust shop. They provided the tube (I used stainless) and labor to install.