Picked up my 2012 XS Coupe last week! I wanted some guidance on upgrade path
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Joined: May 2023
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Picked up my 2012 XS Coupe last week! I wanted some guidance on upgrade path
Hi there!
Bought this thing last week, absolutely love it. 95k on the clock, seems to be well taken care of. I come from: Celica All-trac (GT4), Eclipse GSX, and Audi TT. I decided on the G37X because of this incredible motor (I had an indestructible VQ35 in a Pathfinder, and G35).
I was looking at this 400hp package from z1, and I'd like to kind of do my custom take on it, and I was hoping for some help to build something similar to it.
(The kit: https://www.z1motorsports.com/z1-pro...ge-p-7223.html)
1. I'd like non-cold air intakes. I don't want to modify the body. I'd be content w/ something like this: https://tinyurl.com/4yr58mv3
I just want to make sure that the air filters have plastic covers to separate them from the engine bay.
2. I'm comfortable getting Z1's intake plenum. Is it worth it if I'm not getting the headers?
3. I would like to get high flow cats, and an exhaust system. I would like to keep the dual pipe look in my coupe out the back, I really like it. I would prefer too if the exhaust tips weren't... giant. Currently, the previous owner did a muffler delete. At first I thought it was cool, but it's quickly becoming unenjoyable / too loud. If I were to do HFC's + an exhaust system, would this be louder than my current muffler delete?
4. The Y-Pipe. Is this a big thing? Is it worth the $500?
5. Out of the 400hp kit, this is all that I want to do. I'm comfortable not getting the headers - looks like a pain to install w/ minimal gain. I have a local tuning shop that can tune the car.
______________________
If you all could please suggest to me alternative, possibly cheaper and competitive brands for the Y-Pipe, HFC's, Exhaust system, Non-Cold Air Intake (and what kind, short ram? etc? I don't know the difference) I would appreciate it.
Thank you!
Bought this thing last week, absolutely love it. 95k on the clock, seems to be well taken care of. I come from: Celica All-trac (GT4), Eclipse GSX, and Audi TT. I decided on the G37X because of this incredible motor (I had an indestructible VQ35 in a Pathfinder, and G35).
I was looking at this 400hp package from z1, and I'd like to kind of do my custom take on it, and I was hoping for some help to build something similar to it.
(The kit: https://www.z1motorsports.com/z1-pro...ge-p-7223.html)
1. I'd like non-cold air intakes. I don't want to modify the body. I'd be content w/ something like this: https://tinyurl.com/4yr58mv3
I just want to make sure that the air filters have plastic covers to separate them from the engine bay.
2. I'm comfortable getting Z1's intake plenum. Is it worth it if I'm not getting the headers?
3. I would like to get high flow cats, and an exhaust system. I would like to keep the dual pipe look in my coupe out the back, I really like it. I would prefer too if the exhaust tips weren't... giant. Currently, the previous owner did a muffler delete. At first I thought it was cool, but it's quickly becoming unenjoyable / too loud. If I were to do HFC's + an exhaust system, would this be louder than my current muffler delete?
4. The Y-Pipe. Is this a big thing? Is it worth the $500?
5. Out of the 400hp kit, this is all that I want to do. I'm comfortable not getting the headers - looks like a pain to install w/ minimal gain. I have a local tuning shop that can tune the car.
______________________
If you all could please suggest to me alternative, possibly cheaper and competitive brands for the Y-Pipe, HFC's, Exhaust system, Non-Cold Air Intake (and what kind, short ram? etc? I don't know the difference) I would appreciate it.
Thank you!
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Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 125
Likes: 100
From: The mitten
Welcome and congrats on the new whip!
1. Unless you are going with long tube intakes the short rams are actually worse than the oem intake. Easy upgrade is some high flow drop ins. The K&N drop ins actually increase flow and power a decent little bit.
2. The z1 intake manifold is a ported g37 manifold.(From what I know) You could do this yourself and I have seen that it doesn't really increase enough for the price of the new manifold. I would reccomend modifying a g35HR manifold as this actually makes a difference with HP and torque numbers.(I can do one for you as well.)
3. A muffler delete will be very loud, a quality aftermarket system will be very moderate until you get above 3k rpms and then it will sound good and loud. The biggest difference with an aftermarket exhaust is the diameter of the pipe. Aftermarket systems usually will have a larger diameter and therefore increase exhaust flow. You can look for a used system as well. Make sure you get one that has resonators as these only decrease drone/rasp and don't affect power output. Also resonated test pipes sound good as well as high flow cats but test pipes are usually always a little louder.
4. You could look at the meagan racing Y pipe as a cheaper alternative. I would reccomend a full catback or at least piece together a catback.
5. The stock headers are actually pretty good, it's not worth the 10hp you gain with the hard install and price tag IMO.
You are going to get the most benefit from removing restriction points from the car. So some drop ins, header back exhaust, and a tune will get you going good. Just remember it's an NA V6 so you aren't going to make a ton of power no matter what you do unless u go with FI.
1. Unless you are going with long tube intakes the short rams are actually worse than the oem intake. Easy upgrade is some high flow drop ins. The K&N drop ins actually increase flow and power a decent little bit.
2. The z1 intake manifold is a ported g37 manifold.(From what I know) You could do this yourself and I have seen that it doesn't really increase enough for the price of the new manifold. I would reccomend modifying a g35HR manifold as this actually makes a difference with HP and torque numbers.(I can do one for you as well.)
3. A muffler delete will be very loud, a quality aftermarket system will be very moderate until you get above 3k rpms and then it will sound good and loud. The biggest difference with an aftermarket exhaust is the diameter of the pipe. Aftermarket systems usually will have a larger diameter and therefore increase exhaust flow. You can look for a used system as well. Make sure you get one that has resonators as these only decrease drone/rasp and don't affect power output. Also resonated test pipes sound good as well as high flow cats but test pipes are usually always a little louder.
4. You could look at the meagan racing Y pipe as a cheaper alternative. I would reccomend a full catback or at least piece together a catback.
5. The stock headers are actually pretty good, it's not worth the 10hp you gain with the hard install and price tag IMO.
You are going to get the most benefit from removing restriction points from the car. So some drop ins, header back exhaust, and a tune will get you going good. Just remember it's an NA V6 so you aren't going to make a ton of power no matter what you do unless u go with FI.
Thread Starter
Registered Member
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Welcome and congrats on the new whip!
1. Unless you are going with long tube intakes the short rams are actually worse than the oem intake. Easy upgrade is some high flow drop ins. The K&N drop ins actually increase flow and power a decent little bit.
2. The z1 intake manifold is a ported g37 manifold.(From what I know) You could do this yourself and I have seen that it doesn't really increase enough for the price of the new manifold. I would reccomend modifying a g35HR manifold as this actually makes a difference with HP and torque numbers.(I can do one for you as well.)
3. A muffler delete will be very loud, a quality aftermarket system will be very moderate until you get above 3k rpms and then it will sound good and loud. The biggest difference with an aftermarket exhaust is the diameter of the pipe. Aftermarket systems usually will have a larger diameter and therefore increase exhaust flow. You can look for a used system as well. Make sure you get one that has resonators as these only decrease drone/rasp and don't affect power output. Also resonated test pipes sound good as well as high flow cats but test pipes are usually always a little louder.
4. You could look at the meagan racing Y pipe as a cheaper alternative. I would reccomend a full catback or at least piece together a catback.
5. The stock headers are actually pretty good, it's not worth the 10hp you gain with the hard install and price tag IMO.
You are going to get the most benefit from removing restriction points from the car. So some drop ins, header back exhaust, and a tune will get you going good. Just remember it's an NA V6 so you aren't going to make a ton of power no matter what you do unless u go with FI.
1. Unless you are going with long tube intakes the short rams are actually worse than the oem intake. Easy upgrade is some high flow drop ins. The K&N drop ins actually increase flow and power a decent little bit.
2. The z1 intake manifold is a ported g37 manifold.(From what I know) You could do this yourself and I have seen that it doesn't really increase enough for the price of the new manifold. I would reccomend modifying a g35HR manifold as this actually makes a difference with HP and torque numbers.(I can do one for you as well.)
3. A muffler delete will be very loud, a quality aftermarket system will be very moderate until you get above 3k rpms and then it will sound good and loud. The biggest difference with an aftermarket exhaust is the diameter of the pipe. Aftermarket systems usually will have a larger diameter and therefore increase exhaust flow. You can look for a used system as well. Make sure you get one that has resonators as these only decrease drone/rasp and don't affect power output. Also resonated test pipes sound good as well as high flow cats but test pipes are usually always a little louder.
4. You could look at the meagan racing Y pipe as a cheaper alternative. I would reccomend a full catback or at least piece together a catback.
5. The stock headers are actually pretty good, it's not worth the 10hp you gain with the hard install and price tag IMO.
You are going to get the most benefit from removing restriction points from the car. So some drop ins, header back exhaust, and a tune will get you going good. Just remember it's an NA V6 so you aren't going to make a ton of power no matter what you do unless u go with FI.
Thank you so much for your feedback.
1. Awesome. I will stick w/ the K+N drop ins. Would you recommend getting the silicone post-MAF intake hoses? I have read they are good.
2. Isn't the g35 a single intake? how does that work? Do you have photos of this item? Sounds intriguing. I would definitely be open to that.
3. I have struggled finding clarity regarding catback exhaust fitment since mine is a AWD Coupe. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Marketplace? Offerup? Craigslist? Yes, I'll definitely want resonators. I 100% want high-flow cats, not test pipes. Do resonators reduce power?
4+5. Thank you.
So it looks like my engine upgrade goals are:
Improved Intake Plenum
Catback Exhaust + HFC
K+N Drop ins + post-MAF intake hoses
Tune
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