300zx NA exhaust

[93 300z]

Soooo I recently purchased a 93 Na with only 67k on the clock for a reasonable price , anyway after basic maintenance and doing my first plenum pull for injectors, I am currently in the middle of dropping my transmission for new clutch and seals.

On to my question. Now I know this topic has been covered a million times, but I am still really struggling with my decision, I apologize for creating another exhaust thread but here goes anyway....

After days maybe weeks of researching I am still unable to find an exhaust to my liking within my budget. I am looking for a catback system, something with quad tips (not a fan of those big melon launchers) for around and preferably no more than 700. I simply can not afford a borla or SZ catback as 1k+ is out of my budget after those injectors anyway I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as far as maybe some affordable muffler/ midpipe combo? I also am not able to find hardly any x pipes or h pipes online aside from SZ's $400 options...

I wouldn't be apposed to buying someones used system if anyone out there has one they are trying to sell? Looking for something with some more noise and grumble (not a total cop magnet) without an insane amount of rasp. Any input would be greatly appreciated, thanks guys

[DCaff300ZX]

Welcome to Nico, my CRP Brother!
I would go to your muffler shop and have them quote you a price for an aluminized catback with mufflers such as Magnaflows, you'll get lasting good sound as my NA worked well with them, and knockoffs aren't expensive. You should be able to stay under $700 with just the catback. You may have to get one into two tips for single exit mufflers as the dual tips are scarce and more pricey, but I've had no issues with either Z going with single exit mufflers and quad tips....they just weld it all together to fit and it sounds great but not too loud on an NA, but my TT is a bit louder somehow on stock exhaust and a HKS catback with Magnaflows.

[NolimitZ32]

I know I'm going to get some flack for this but I was once in your boat and at the end of the day it's just pipe. Megan Type 2 /thread.

[93 300z]

I appreciate it guys!! If I go to a muffler shop what should I have them do with the midpipe? Can they fab me a h pipe or x pipe? Or will simple straight pipes to the mufflers work/ sound fine?

No limit I was actually looking at the Megan type 2, but a couple things kept me from pulling the trigger. First off I have heard they lack in quality and people say the welds on their systems are shotty Also is the resonated h pipe too quiet? Don't get me wrong I don't wanna be too loud, but I do want a decent amount more sound over the stock system especially down low. And there really aren't any nice sound clips of it out there What do you think of yours?

[NolimitZ32]

Best thing for you to do is to go look up the youtube videos for all the systems you are researching. A resonated H-pipe will generally be the quietest of all the configurations. I've seen and even owned a couple Megan systems and have never had an issue with any of them. I actually had a full Megan TBE on my STI it was a perfect fit with great sound and no issues. At the end of the day you have to take everything that people say with a grain of salt, some are purists, some are brand whores, some have completely valid points, some got screwed by a bad vendor (who had nothing to do with the product other than reselling it). I've been through 4 setups on my Z and my favorite is still dumped test pipes but I'm turboed, a NA with dumped TP would be hellaciously loud and very illegal. My final advice would be to steer clear of second rate headers or test pipes, but with the catbacks it is my humble opinion that Megan will do because spending upwards of $1k on a system for a car that costs $4-5k is insane.

[DCaff300ZX]

I totally agree with what NoLimit said, it's just pipes of certain diameter with the necessary parts welded on, and fit into our cramped little cars. Crappy LOOKING welds only matter on show cars and to perfectionists, all weld does is hold things together under the car where NO ONE will see it. If it's sealed up completely and doesn't leak, job done.
If you buy pipe that won't rust and a configuration of components you like, have ithem put together for you and save the other stuff for the brand whores to buy.

[93 300z]

You got some good points, I guess it now comes down to the issue of whether or not the resonated h pipe it comes with will be too quiet for my liking... I actually really like the sound of the top speed pro 1 exhaust even though it is a little ebay system (comes with an unresonated x pipe) but the only ting I don't like is the looks. Single exit and a circular muffler that hangs down below the car. Would getting quad tips welded onto this system be the way to go?

[DCaff300ZX]

The thing you will find when installing a custom setup into a Z32 is that there is LITTLE space, and to get things where they should be it's harder to get mufflers "up" enough without some tough bends. This is why I liked the Magnaflow knockoffs, they are not round but flatter like OEM and will fit high enough to allow an OEM looking exit height.
Adding quad tips to a system with lower mufflers will look odd IMO, as it will really look different than stock and custom both and not in a good way...

[93 300z]

I agree with you there. So my last question is where can I get an unresonated x or h pipe? Literally can't find anything in 2.5in. Z1 is out of stock of theirs in 2.5 and I called them and apparently they won't be in stock for a very long time.

[NolimitZ32]

Try CZP

[93 300z]

I was only able to find labree or $300 and the Z1 h pipe, but if Z1 itself is out of stock and wont be making them anytime soon, I don't see how CZ would have them in stock?

[DCaff300ZX]

CZP may still have stock while Z1 does not.
You also can run a straight back system with an NA as they really don't need the balance, and which simplifies your exhaust significantly (read: cheaper) and sounds just as good if not better. I went this route with my NA and was very satisfied, and it made making my full system job a lot easier on everyone. A shop may (should...) also be able to fab an x-pipe or h-pipe, ask them...

[Afi]

If it can help you decide, here are sound clips (taken with a Galaxy S3) from my car ('90 2+2 NA) before and after I installed my catback :

1) OEM with exhaust leak:
https://youtu.be/IjKGxfdWI1c

2) SZ Catback: 2.25", H-Pipe and resonators:
https://youtu.be/KZT64mqixUA

[Z-owned]

Being n/a I would suggest getting the 2.25" specialtyZ axle back and keeping your stock hpipe and cats.

[Afi]

Being n/a I would suggest getting the 2.25" specialtyZ axle back and keeping your stock hpipe and cats.

Yep and this way, you get to save around 500-600$ compared to buying the whole SZ catback.

[DCaff300ZX]

I saw this today just poking around, for $575 looks like a really good deal for a quality SS exhaust catback that is more OEM-looking and is not really loud if I remember correctly...anyone knowing otherwise please do say so.
http://www.z1motorsports.com/product_in ... o23u8rkou5