2012 altima coupe 3.5SR

[davidcoupe2012]

Hi, I bought my 3.5SR 2012 2 month ago..
I search on the nissan club and decide to check out here
I ask/ search a lot of the aftermarket exhaust(cause nismo no longer have exhaust available)
I search a lot of aftermarket from greddy/stillen / I see the post about 2012 coupe install one of aftermarket exhaust has the problem with left side
I heard stillen has to modified the Y-pipe to get the decent sound
Do I wait a little longer, to see if other company have new stuff coming out?
Do someone suggest aftermarket exhaust?
Thanks

[SanoSuKe]

Borla makes exhaust systems for the 3.5, few members here have it and they can give you feedback. Try searching the forums, I'm sure you'll find something you'll like.

[BlackMamba08]

i believe the Borla was the aftermarket exhaust you were referring to that someone had a problem with one side hanging lower than the other. Tanabe makes an axle back, borla is an axle back, stillen you could get either cat-back or axle back, and greddy, i believe the TI-C are discontinued, and they have a spectrum elite series that is cat-back. there's a few generics on ebay you can buy too.

Pretty much all of the exhausts systems will give you about the same hp/tq output +/-2. It probably all comes down to the style (one muffler, two outlets, or two separate mufflers) and sound.

[davidcoupe2012]

Yes.. But I already search most of the web, and no one is list on catalog until 2012 model
So, I afraid there might be something wrong..
I still looking if they list part for 2012 coupe
thanks reply

[funkee]

I personally have the Borla. After listening to many different exhausts, I finally settled on it.

It is an axle-back, but it sounds just as good as a cat-back. The issue with the tip alignment is true, but my shop was able to lower the left tip to sit at the same height as the right, without much trouble.

Its also relatively inexpensive, and comes with free shipping on Amazon.com

[SHIFT_COUPE]

Performance parts for the 2012 are the same for all model year Altima Coupes. When searching for parts anything 2008+ will work for your ride.

Welcome to NICO

[davidcoupe2012]

Nice to hear it thanks. I am going to see if they have nismo or not. Thanks for welcoming me!! Dealer tell me 2008 will not fit 2012 model.. ...

[Ranga14]

Dealer tell me 2008 will not fit 2012 model

They don't know what they're talking about. All the internals are the same. The only difference is the front of the car.

[davidcoupe2012]

Thanks for telling me that!!
I just order nismo exhaust!!
cant wait they send to me and install
P.S.. I dont know if they have stock or not, but I already place the order!!

[funkee]

David, Nismo stopped making the exhaust for the 3.5 coupe several years ago. Did you order the exhaust for the 2.5 by accident? Where did you order it from?

Nismo still makes exhaust for the 3.5 sedan, and the 2.5 coupe, but they don't have an exhaust for the 3.5 coupe any longer. They discontinued it in 2010 I believe.

What Ranga mentioned, is that the performance parts for a 2008 car will fit a 2012 car, but there are some key differences between the 2.5 and 3.5 models. The main difference in regards to the exhaust, is that an additional piece that will be required for the 3.5 to make it fit. You can get that fabricated, if you ordered the exhaust for the 2.5 coupe. If you got the exhaust for the sedan, I'm not sure it will fit because of the longer wheelbase.

That's not to say you didn't get a Nismo 3.5 exhaust. I have seen one come up on ebay every 6 months or so. Another forum member lucked out and found a shop that had a new one in stock from years back. I have also heard of dealerships selling Stillen's exhaust and rebranding it as Nismo's.

I would suggest calling the place you ordered it from to make sure it is a Nismo exhaust for the 3.5 coupe before they ship it out.

[davidcoupe2012]

No, I search by the part number.. and I am able to make the order.. I assume if they do not have stock exhaust.. they might give me the refund. However, I am going to call the shop where I bought the exhaust.. "Part# 2010S-RSD20"
If I am not able to find the nismo exhaust.. I am going to go aftermarket..
but I dont know which to choose.
From "Borla" have to modified the tips to get even look..
I forget which brand that tips is too big, and if lower the car. it is going to hurt the exhaust..
and for stillen need to change the Y-pipe to get more aggressive sound.
From the dealership about Stillen exhaust: Do I just tell them if they have "Stillen's exhause and rebranding it as Nismo's..?"
Thanks for reply!!

[funkee]

I've only heard of one dealership selling the Stillen as a Nismo. My only recomendation is to make sure you are getting the exhaust you are asking for (v6 coupe) and not a substitution. The part number you provided is the correct one. But Nismo discontinued making it a few years back.

As far as the Borla exhaust tips, they're easy to adjust.

[davidcoupe2012]

ok thanks
I see the post about borla, and people say the sound is really good
Does it still need to add the Y-pipe?
Sorry to ask wired question.. What is the Y-pipe doing to the exhaust?
Thanks

[AllenB]

The y-pipe connects to the manifold collectors and eliminates restrictions along with the 3rd (unmetered) catalytic converter.
If sound is your only concern then the y-pipe will be an added expense that does little for sound. Yes, it will have an affect on the sound but it is more for reducing flow restrictions and improving performance. Doing just the exhaust is mainly for aesthetics (sound), adding the y-pipe is more for tangible performance gains.

I did both (y-pipe and the Borla exhaust) but due to using ramps I had to do the Borla 1st then shift to raise the front of the car. Just the Borla was a subtle but noticeable improvement in sound. Adding the y-pipe increased the volume and tweaked the tone to a slightly more metallic (agressive) and I think a little higher tone/note.

/r

Allen

[funkee]

Today, I did an Uprev tune on my '08 3.5 CVT. After numerous dyno runs, we found that the Borla exhaust itself (as my only performance part coming into the shop) gave a significant benefit to power. The y-pipe added just a little bit extra over the top (as well as the K&N intake).

As far as sound goes, the Borla is fantastic stock. The y-pipe adds a little more depth to it, but not much of a volume increase. It does remove a catalytic converter as Allen mentioned, letting the exhaust flow more freely and adding a small amount of power.

[davidcoupe2012]

Thanks for all the infos
I think I will ask more if they have nismo or not
if not I will get the borla! so Do you mean does not need to get the Y-pipe
just get the borla and install will be good?
Also may I ask what do you mean Borla 1st and rise the front of the car?
Thanks Allen & funkee!

[funkee]

Sounds like a good plan.

What Allen meant is that he had to lift the car using special ramps that you drive on to. Because of that, he first had to drive the rear of the car on to the ramps to install the Borla exhaust, and then drive the front of the car on to the ramps to install the y-pipe. Don't worry about that. If you have access to a lift, it can be done easily.

If you choose to buy the Borla and live in the United States, the best deal is here: http://www.amazon.com/Borla-11762-Rear- ... roduct_top

Good luck!

[davidcoupe2012]

I think I will get borla after they give me back the refund.. also get a Y-pipe to swap stock one
I think I will not do it myself cause I dont familiar with exhaust.. So after the install, Do I tell them to adjust the exhaust?
I got another question.. If I have sport suspension from nissan altima 3.5SR.. They already have sport suspension
If I want to lower the car, Do I just swap the spring?
Thanks so much..

[funkee]

Yes. If the Borla tips are not sitting level, ask them to raise one side (or lower one side) so that they are level.

The 3.5 sport suspension is just a stiffer setting. If you want to lower the car, you can install shorter springs from Eibach.

You can also buy coilovers (struts + springs) from BC or Tein. They are more expensive, but the BC or Tein struts will last longer than the Nissan struts with Eibach springs. BC and Tein coilovers are also adjustable. You can raise or lower the car, and you can adjust the stiffness (damping) easily.

[andyhenault]

Yes. If the Borla tips are not sitting level, ask them to raise one side (or lower one side) so that they are level.

How exactly is this done? The right tip on mine hangs low, so I shimmed the right bushing to push it up with a hose clamp and scrap of metal, but it's sort of a dirty solution. Any idea of how to do this properly?

[davidcoupe2012]

Yes. If the Borla tips are not sitting level, ask them to raise one side (or lower one side) so that they are level.

The 3.5 sport suspension is just a stiffer setting. If you want to lower the car, you can install shorter springs from Eibach.

You can also buy coilovers (struts + springs) from BC or Tein. They are more expensive, but the BC or Tein struts will last longer than the Nissan struts with Eibach springs. BC and Tein coilovers are also adjustable. You can raise or lower the car, and you can adjust the stiffness (damping) easily.

How much longer change shorter springs than BC and Tein coilovers?
Thanks

[funkee]

Andy: initially we tried to push the right side up (the right was lower than the left) by bending the hangar, but that seemed unrealistic. Instead he lowered the left side to sit level with the right. Unfortunately I never asked exactly how my shop did it, and I doubt they would remember by now.

See if you can lower the left side; it should be a lot easier.

David: here is a comparison of the stock Altima on the left, with Eibach springs on the right. http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h78/l ... mpare1.jpg. If you want to go lower than that, you should invest in coilovers like BC or Tein. With coilovers, it's not the spring length that determines how low it sits, but the strut that can be lengthened or shortened.

[davidcoupe2012]

OK. Thanks
I think I will go with OEM + spring since my area (bloomington) has a bad road..
dont want to hurt my car >..<