Altima Coupe 3.5 + Ebay Exhaust + Racingline Y-pipe

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

Just got my Racingline y-pipe today. Going to try and get it put on this weekend, or next, depending on availability of installer.

As some of you may have read, I already have the ebay cat-back exhaust that comes with single muffler/dual outlet style setup (like Borla). This will be my second real power mod, hopefully along with improved sound.

I'll try to post another video of the sound after the Y-pipe install, to compare it to the ebay exhaust only sound that I have already up.

I have to say, my full cat-back $135 ebay exhaust came with a nice shiny polished mandrel bent piping, with nearly all welds nicely ground down, while this $289 y-pipe about 3 ft long, not only lacks any polish, but comes straight outta the shop with some dirt and dust on it, along with the welds still looking like they were never really ground down. Kinda sad, but I suppose I'm paying for function over form (or appearance in this case). And the $300 better show its 8 whp!!!

Hmm, wonder how much better I'll do against Ranga14's coupe now..

[RicerX]

Ah well... good think it's not really visible.

Quick Q for ya... did you ever get any gaskets with yours, or are you going to reuse factory gaskets?

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

Nope, I don't see any gaskets. I suppose I'm gonna have to reuse the ones the car comes with or have the shop rig something up for me. I did find 2 10mm bolts after I checked the shipping box again (right after reading your post funny enough).

[DJ_B_Easy]

I need this vid ASAP! There was another member with the same set-up that was supposed to post one up but never did. I have the Y pipe now and am considering this exhaust but I need to hear the growl!

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

I already have a video of when I first got the ebay exhaust, revved up to 3500 rpm. I suppose it's not quite the same as what it sounds now after 30k miles, here's the original video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1nXq_A36P4

[DJ_B_Easy]

I already have a video of when I first got the ebay exhaust, revved up to 3500 rpm. I suppose it's not quite the same as what it sounds now after 30k miles, here's the original video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1nXq_A36P4

Yeah Ive actually seen this vid, but I need it with the Y Pipe on it! Let me know when you get it installed and have time to post another vid.

[Ranga14]

I've seen and heard his car in person. It's not quite the Nismo exhaust but I think it sounds good, especially given for what he paid! As for the gaskets, you can re use the stock ones.

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

Alright, so I got the Y-pipe installed yesterday. I had one complaint about that install. Racingline doesn't include any gaskets. That means you have to reuse the stock ones, or come up with your own.

Unfortunately, we ran into a snag partly because of the sealing business. Pictures are worth a 1000 words so I'll just show you.





I felt Racingline should address this issue, as it isn't a simple "bolt-on" anymore if you have to mod the y-pipe to properly install on the car it was made to fit...

Aside from that issue, it was a simple install. I think though, I may be hearing some kind of rattle from the very bolts that were put on the Y-pipe and cat-back joint. Sounds like either one of the nuts came loose minutes after leaving the shop, or the new metal is just clanky right now, but I doubt that is the cause. It's not very loud, but noticeable when idling. There also seams to be some water dripping from the cat-back and y-pipe joint (I had to re use the cat-back's gasket on that part, maybe it's worn after 1 year and 30k miles?), so that may be the symptom of a loose bolt? Hmm, I'll have to get it looked at Monday.

Sound wise, there is more of a mid level loudness to the car, and a reverberation/vibration that is noticeable now around the car under load, just barely, possibly related to the sound. It's not bad, but I would prefer it not be there. The sound is somewhat subtly different, not able to quite put my finger on it but it's a tad louder overall, and is more of a rasp/growl, just a little.

Performance wise, I don't really seem to be able to tell the difference as so many people jump to say "Yeah I notice it dood!" with the 8-10 whp as claimed by Racingline. Then again it's ONLY a 4-5% increase in overall power, so I think that's probably why. No offense to anyone, but I believe there is too much of the placebo effect with many bolt on mods, where people think their car is faster just using their butt dyno, when realistically the difference is so minute that it has to be measured against some baseline to tell the difference, if nothing more than numerically, on paper.

Total: $311 shipped, $40 install.

[Loop]

My reason why I have stayed away from the RL y-pipe. Your right, that picture is worth a 1000 words. It does not look that impressive at all. At least to my standards it doesn't from the welds to the flanges to the flex pipe to the crimp piping...etc... This is where I would bring up, you get what you payed for! Not only that, but they are too cheap to provide new gaskets. Any new indepedent dyno sheets? and one with a aftermarket catback? I believe theres was tested with the stock CBE if I am remembering correctly.

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

My reason why I have stayed away from the RL y-pipe. Your right, that picture is worth a 1000 words. It does not look that impressive at all. At least to my standards it doesn't from the welds to the flanges to the flex pipe to the crimp piping...etc... This is where I would bring up, you get what you payed for! Not only that, but they are too cheap to provide new gaskets. Any new indepedent dyno sheets? and one with a aftermarket catback? I believe theres was tested with the stock CBE if I am remembering correctly.

Well, I get the "you get what you paid for" bit but really now, I paid a good $300 for what comes down to custom bent metal piping... I think having to pay more money for this particular piece is ridiculous just so I get a polished look or $5 gaskets. It should at least come complete with the required accessories (gaskets) and proper flange adapter/neck/crimp thing that I had to have made on the spot.

In any case, I'll see after a few dozen hours of break, how the sound and vibration bit changes. I drove it some more earlier, there is definitely a more pronounced blurb-type sound to the car.

As for dyno sheets, I haven't seen any, but yes RL's own sheet was with stock exhaust, which as always I approach with skepticism and a large pound of salt, so that way if I do find some real difference I can only feel better.

[Loop]

Its not about the polished look at all, even if it's polished it is cheap to do. Just look at your y-pipe for yourself or even the pictures shows it. I have already explained it.

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

Its not about the polished look at all, even if it's polished it is cheap to do. Just look at your y-pipe for yourself or even the pictures shows it. I have already explained it.

Yeah I understand that part. The welds and overall appearance of the piping and such are not very clean, that much I noticed right away. They could have been finished up better. On the other hand, perhaps the real issue RL wanted to address was that you get your horsepower, and in that regard, they didn't think it was necessary to dress up the outer appearance of the Y-pipe.

However, the part about the installation itself still bothers me. My installer guy said that RTV sealant alone wouldn't have held up at the high temperatures that area of y-the pipe would see, therefore he fabbed the little collars to match the stock parts. He has worked on my ebay exhaust, fabbed my Sentra's exhaust, and he owns a 700 hp turbo C5 vette. I think as skeptical I am of folks, he might know a thing or two.

[RicerX]

Finally some real talk about this thing.

I'm NOT AT ALL for having a part that needs to be modified that's "made for" my car. It should bolt right up, cleanly and solidly, especially for $300.

[DReed86]

So to add i little fuel to the fire here is my story.
Another member is selling there AC he had a straight pipe which he couldnt or wouldnt sell unless he had a stock y pipe. So he offered to order me a Racingline Y pipe and in exchange I would give him my stock one. Since he was buying the part for me I felt obligated to give him my stock part as soon as possible. So I give it to him on the 5th of July he ordered the part on the 1st of july.
I got a confirmation of the order via the email that the other AC member sent me. And he called Joe and told me RL would ship on the 5th. I get another confirmation on July 13th yesterday saying that my order had been processed and will be shipped "Soon" WTF ive been rushing home everyday hoping that I have a big box waiting for me to install so I can drive my baby again and they havent even shipped it..........

I know I shouldnt be so ungreatful since I did not directly pay for the part but I do not think I would purchase from them in the furture, simply on the shipping factor... Im a pretty nice guy I dont think Im being that unrealistic and if they had sent me an email saying you know what we are having some problems we dont have any more of the Y pipe they will be coming soon, I would be ok. But the fact that they didnt say anything and took almost 2 weeks to process and ship my item "SOON" is in my opinion horrible business etiquette...

Also when ever this comes in where can I get a new gasket and what type of sealant should I use? A specific one that someone else used would be great.

Thanks Guys

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

Alright, so hopefully tonight I should be getting a exhaust clip of my car, after I get off from work. I'll try to post it tonight with as little time wasted editing as possible (read = lots of things to make fun of).

1 week report - there is a bit of a rumbling rattle when the car's idling, still present. I don't know why, but thankfully nothing's fallen off the car so it can't be a loose nut or bolt. Exhaust sound is a bit more consistent and settled in now. The car as a whole is a bit louder than before the Y-pipe. There is definitely a bit more in cabin noise on the throttle but it's nothing annoying (drone is minimal under load, and on the highway overall noise level is totally acceptable). The car does seem to have a more pronounced and clearer blurb at low revs, and that "Z" like note mid RPM range, if ever so faint.

Heat up and cool down caused metallic "clanks" appear to be gone now. There were just a few instances when I first had the Y-pipe installed where after turning off the car I'd hear the metal contracting as it cooled.

Since my most video cameras don't seem to pick up in cabin exhaust noise as well as our ears in person, I'll probably not try too hard to get that part of the video uploaded, but I'll shoot for the outside exhaust clip as top priority.

[DReed86]

So I got my Y pipe on yesterday.... and im sure its a great product but it silenced my car a little. I had much more of a rumble and could feel the vibrations when I started my car, now I cant. Im sure this is unusual and im sure that my Ypipe is adding 13whp, but unlike everyone else I dont have a buttdyno and I really cant tell the difference. All I can tell is its a little quieter. I would still recommend it as it is a relatively cheap aftermarket part, but its def not a mind blowing difference in performance

[DJ_B_Easy]

Let it break in...

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

So I got my Y pipe on yesterday.... and im sure its a great product but it silenced my car a little. I had much more of a rumble and could feel the vibrations when I started my car, now I cant. Im sure this is unusual and im sure that my Ypipe is adding 13whp, but unlike everyone else I dont have a buttdyno and I really cant tell the difference. All I can tell is its a little quieter. I would still recommend it as it is a relatively cheap aftermarket part, but its def not a mind blowing difference in performance

Haha, what? My car got louder, and I understand even on a stock exhaust it should too. Hmm.. I was gonna try to get a video of mine tonight but the large mowers outside are drowning out everything right now, annoyyyying. I'll try again later.

Glad you like your y-pipe. Any rattles etc?

[maxentropy]

All-

I HIGHLY recommend purchasing new gaskets for your RL Y pipe. I even bought new bolts (mostly because I live in PA and all the salt and snow ate away at the old ones). If you use new gaskets, RTV sealant, and tighten those bolts tight you will not experience any issues.

My RL Ypipe and borla are amazing and sound sweet with no raspyness, leaking, or clanking sounds. Amazing sound. I have no issues except RL did not supply any of the needed parts I mentioned above.

[chris6]

Nope, I don't see any gaskets. I suppose I'm gonna have to reuse the ones the car comes with or have the shop rig something up for me. I did find 2 10mm bolts after I checked the shipping box again (right after reading your post funny enough).

New to this website not sure how to message you. But is your Borla exhaust still for sale?

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

LOL no man, sorry. Sold car and everything 3 years ago. Thanks for asking.