Hey everyone! I am finally making my long overdue post on this forum asking for some help. Hoping I’m in the right spot to post. I have an 09 G37x Coupe, so far I’ve got a muffler and resonator delete (I know people have their opinions on it but I love it) as well as Stillen Gen 3 intakes. Hoping to eventually get on the dyno and achieve a bit more power (and flames of course lol). Now I’m kind of stuck, not sure where to go from here before getting a tune. Not looking to spend an arm and a leg as I’m a student. I know I should probably get rid of the cats and get some resonated test pipes, anything else worth going for? Not crazy on the HP gains but more excited for the flames/pops.

 

Without test pipes you will not get flames.
You need test pipes. However since your straight pipe already you'll hate your life and probably sell the car.
Get test pipes a proper catback then tune.

 

get prepared for an eardrum surgery soon.

 

Yeah definitely don't get test pipes paired with muffler/resonator delete which is already insanely loud and raspy. Personally I think HFC + muffler delete is a good sounding combo but don't think you'll get flames with HFC.

If it were me I'd put the res back on and go from there.

 

I am a student too, and parts are expensive for our cars (10' g37x sedan) best course of action is to save money for a decent setup. IMO the muffler delete on every VQ sounds awful, ran it like that for months before I bit the bullet and bought a motor-dyne shockwave cat-back exhaust, and yes they make them for AWD model, just a little expensive but well worth it. I wouldn't focus on flames, but if you want something that'll get you there on a budget, get at least wider piping all around 2'5, get art pipes put it, doesn't have to be motor-dyne. I am getting custom ones made from a local well known welder in my area who custom fabs exhaust work for high end cars, it's still much cheaper than what you can buy new in box and just as good quality, seek out someone in your area, or at least a couple hours away who would be able to custom fab something up for you. I'm quoted at $500-ish currently for the art pipes. And of course a tune, I wouldn't cheap out on a tune, UpRev or bust. You'll see flames easy but without a half decent exhaust, it'll sound like a french horn on fire