another ebay exhaust?

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

Ok guys, I got it delivered today. I'm at work so no pics for now. Will make an update tonight. Supposedly my li'l bro describes it as being just as shiny as the ebay pics. The exhaust tips being huge, I'm guessing 4.5" as the description states it. Rice rice baby. Oops.

And oh yah, no returns if installed (let alone running the engine and pasting it with carbon...)

As for the install, I wish I had the tools to DIY (or is that DIM? ), but I don't. This will be happening at 7am~ at the local Mieneke I go to, tomorrow morning before heading out to work directly. Will try to get sound clips up by tomorrow evening after getting home.

Can't wait. $0.05 says it'll either wake up the entire neighborhood sounding like a rattling metal tube , or quieter than stock. We'll see what its got.

[BlackMamba08]

Ok guys, I got it delivered today. I'm at work so no pics for now. Will make an update tonight. Supposedly my li'l bro describes it as being just as shiny as the ebay pics. The exhaust tips being huge, I'm guessing 4.5" as the description states it. Rice rice baby. Oops.

And oh yah, no returns if installed (let alone running the engine and pasting it with carbon...)

As for the install, I wish I had the tools to DIY (or is that DIM? ), but I don't. This will be happening at 7am~ at the local Mieneke I go to, tomorrow morning before heading out to work directly. Will try to get sound clips up by tomorrow evening after getting home.

Can't wait. $0.05 says it'll either wake up the entire neighborhood sounding like a rattling metal tube , or quieter than stock. We'll see what its got.

my guess is that it'll wake up the whole neighborhood...

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

Ya think?!??!?!

If it didn't I'd be disappointed. In the tradition of my Flowmaster 40 pwning Sentra 1.8, I'd like to think I would turn heads, (ok in disgust too, I'll take anything really for now) with this EBAY CHEAPNESS PWNAGE IN YOUR FACE SUCKAS HAHA muffler.

Almost time to go home. Will post pics within a few hours. Don't mind the excessive drool or finger prints.

[AltiCoupeDriver]

Nice! I don't think it would be that hard. You could take a look at some of the exhaust install write-ups to see what you're getting yourself into. If you're that excited to hear it, you could just easily install the axle back part to hear it. Hope it sounds decent so I can get one! If you are lacking inspiration don't forget to watch The Fast and The Furious. lol

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

Haha... No need for F&F.

Ok here it is.... the quality isn't the best in the world. The tips are slightly off angle which is lame. I might have the shop cut and reweld it if it bugs me too much.

Interestingly enough, the starting diameter looks like 3" which has the resonator (it's a piece by itself assuming it replaces the cat hence the "offroad use only" disclaimer?) then at the end of that the rest of the midpipe starts with I think 2.5" diameter till the end. And yes, the muffler's input pipe is sticking out from the left side, i.e. I cannot use it as axle back only.

Gonna have it installed this Wednesday morning. Hopefully.

Ok pics.... Notice the left side pipe a bit smaller in diameter than the resonator part... And of course what good is a cat-back without a cat.
Modified by CoupeVQ35CVT at 9:23 PM 7/13/2009

[AltiCoupeDriver]

It doesn't look too shabby for $175. I hope it doesn't replace the cat. Would you be able to chop off that part and weld on a fitting so it will just connect like a normal mid-pipe?

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

Yah the shop I take it to, the dude's able to cut and weld whatever we need to. I'm too hoping I don't have to cut anything, so it's a simple job for anyone else who buys it after seeing my setup. But we'll see. $175, haha well if it didn't look like a muffler I guess I'd have a problem.

Tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed.
Modified by CoupeVQ35CVT at 12:40 AM 7/15/2009

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

Ok so this morning I had this installed. Took about 45 minutes.

Fitment was mostly fine. Paid $60 to install. 100% bolt-on deal, nothing requires welds (well actually, read on). The whole thing bolts up right behind the stock cat so you are legal and the kit's 2.5" piping does NOT have the flattened spot underneath the gas tank which the stock piping has. 5 bonus points for that, I suppose.

SOUND: Well nothing "special" would be about right. Not Borla-like (I think, having only heard youtube clips) but not quiet either. It sounds louder than stock under load (perhaps Stillen-like?), and has a unique mid pitch (no deep bass at all really) note and that neato' blurb-blurb-blurb at idle and < 2k rpm driving around. That huge resonator probably has a lot to do with the sound, maybe a smaller one would increase volume and maybe change the note a bit.

Oh and BTW, I suppose it's normal, but this stuff smells. I drove 40 miles to work right after bolting this on. Over the 45 minutes with my window open, I could smell what seemed like hot metal. I'm assuming as with my previous experience with "shiny ebay parts" (the header on my Sentra) that this will dissipate eventually. I felt the tips and DAMN they're hot. Hope they don't melt the bumper off...

Only real issues I have right now is the slave labor welds on the exhaust tips (crooked) and the uneven height (one tip touches the plastic diffuser doohicky), and their overall appearance being a single layered tip which lets you see the ugly piping and welds inside it. Those will be replaced Saturday (was running late for work as it is!) with shiny new double walled tips or similar.

Pictures coming up, not the greatest photographer (or I lack common sense). Sound clip coming soon (later tonight).

Resonator bolts up behind stock cat.

Diameter is 2.5" the rest of the way after the 3" cat and resonator diameter.

Mufflers, stock on left, new ebay special on right

Another crappy picture, this time showing you the rice eating tips

[mikegtr06]

not bAD... the tips are huge... are you gonna get smaller ones ? i dont think that you should... is the sound annoying or is it ok. ? if you had the need would you buy it agian .... ? tell friends ( us ) to buy it ?

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

Well I would say the sound is not annoying at all. There is no drone (thank god) and is just louder under load, perhaps a slightly different note than I've heard yet. On the highway it was pretty quiet at 60-75 mph. I just about heard it over the tire noise. Off the line it has that blub-blub-blub which turns into a more smoother tone past 3k rpm. Whatever it is, it's DEFINITELY better than the $5 N1 fart-can specials I see everywhere, including the Greedy $900 loud but benign dual rips, I mean tips.

As for the tips, yes I'm replacing them with large rolled edge tips (saweeet factory finish looking). I'll have to live with these rice (and fingertip) burner tips till the weekend.

Would I recommend this? Ah, yes the verdict. Hmm seeing as quality is about a B- (overall measurements were OK, shiny metal is smelly for now, kinda heavy, not 100% precise especially the exhaust outlets and tips), installation is easy as far as bolt-on goes (need tools and lift/jacks if you live on the edge). It won't sound like a muscle car or that Borla/Artisan growl, but it sure beats the meek purr the stock setup has (which is not bad either).

For $175 shipped (+ whatever adjustment etc) I'd say go for it. Just pray yours was put together by a fresh but seasoned batch of underage Chinese laborers who can weld straight, so you don't have to dish out another $100 to replace/fix their errors.

One thumb up. The other thumb's hoping the sound further redeems its faith (after break in I assume).

[sk8nix6]

and equally important... how does the 20hp gain feel????

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

Well, that 20 hp sure knows how to keep the stock feel, you know. You can't be humble if you can't conceal all that power somehow...

OK actually I can't tell. As I said it's got a larger diameter than stock piping and logic would suggest better exhaust flow, hence more power. I have no idea how much more. I'm still getting used to the car as I've only had it for 2.5 weeks so far. Haha. And for 2 weeks, I never exceeded 3500-4000 rpm or floored it.

[AltiCoupeDriver]

Aside from the tips, everything looks pretty good! That is a pretty big resonator. I'm glad it doesn't replace the cat. I'm so curious to hear the sound. What tips are you going with?

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

Speaking of tips.. the right one that is slightly crooked, well the damn thing as it sits rubs against' the plastic, and wouldn't you know it, after 2 hours of operation it heated the plastic that was in contact and reshaped along it's contours. Good thing it's out of view around the inside where the tip comes out of and a very small spot..

What tips I'm getting I am not sure what they're called but they are pretty much like other conical shaped ones, not separate dual layers like the "intercooled" Borla ones where you can see an outside and inside layer, but it is dual walled and the edge is rolled. Also 4.5" in diameter. These will hopefully sit more squarely and level and prevent further plastic melting.

Edit: I'll grab the camera and record some sound shortly.

And finally after an hour of FUDGING with windows the soundclip! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1nXq_A36P4
Modified by CoupeVQ35CVT at 9:58 PM 7/15/2009

[sk8nix6]

hey that sounds pretty good! not ricy or obnoxious at all. what does replacing the tips entail... sorry this would be my first time modding the exhaust.

[08coupedriver]

Holy Crap that Actually doesnt sound half bad for 175$ Hope it holds up

maybe Ill order mine soon thanks again

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

hey that sounds pretty good! not ricy or obnoxious at all. what does replacing the tips entail... sorry this would be my first time modding the exhaust.

My tips are crooked, plus they look kinda ghetto. New ones will be put on straight and look like they came from the factory. Might be getting it done Friday (tomorrow morning) instead of Saturday. I don't want to take any more chances with the heat damaging anything around the tips (plastic bumper area).

And yes for $175 it definitely sounds great. I drove to work just now and really liked hearing it rev up around 3-4 k. Not quite the Borla or Artisan growl but it's good nuff.
Modified by CoupeVQ35CVT at 8:46 AM 7/16/2009

[08coupedriver]

Videos of in cabin and take off? thank you

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWxlLzSz8ZQ

There you go. It's not very long, or very glamorous. Just a quick crappy clip of me holding the camera in one hand while driving down a somewhat tight street under acceleration up to ~3500 RPM. The windows are up so it doesn't sound loud at all.

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

New tips done today and they look GREAT. No more bumper melting.

"Old" ones that came with kit:



New one put on and size comparison to crap ones:



All done!

[mcheddadi]

looks very nice!

[mikegtr06]

how much were the new tips and where did you get them from ? i kinda wanna change the stillen ones that i have on mine... i just want bigger....

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

The muffler guy told me they're $40 each and he got them from wherever. Hah. I paid him $100 for the tips and to fudge with the outlets and weld everything up.

I'm sure you'll find tips easily. I'd look at auto part stores. You can find some decent ones for $25 that look almost identical to mine. Just have to cut and weld them at the right spot.

[sk8nix6]

CoupeVQ... how has the exhaust been treating you after driving with it for some time? Has the smell dissipated? I will most likely be ordering one within the next week. Thanks!

[blackteam02]

looks damn good man!! sounds nice too!!

do sum drive-bys! (not BANG-BANG but VROOM-VROOM)

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

Hey guys. Thanks, I'm thoroughly enjoying the exhaust.

I think it's a tad quiet sometimes, but then all I have to do is step on it to let it rev up and it reminds me right away I'm driving a 270 hp V6. Maybe down the line I may try to delete the resonator, but I think right now it's just loud enough so you don't get sick of it. There is no drone to speak of.

The smell is all gone, as I feel it may have been a combination of the new metal and perhaps the old tip touching the rear bumper area before.

After almost a month, the sound is still good, the piping still seems OK. There was initially some metallic clangs and such heard when the car would warm up or cool down, but it's settled in now as I don't hear anything like that.

I swear when I'm driving under a bridge or through an enclosed area, you'd think it was a damn European exotic race car. At low revs, despite the quiet sound, the aggressive blurby sound is just awesome... @ 2500 RPM under light load it's almost near the Z or G coupe exhaust tone.

Let us know how your purchase and install goes on your Alti coupe. Also a 3.5?

Fly-bys... yes possibly within this week. IF my lazy brother mans the camera.
Modified by CoupeVQ35CVT at 2:38 PM 8/12/2009

[sk8nix6]

yes 3.5, I just looked on Ebay and this exhaust is no longer listed... I emailed the company before so I still have a contact; I will send them a message and let you know what the deal is.

[sk8nix6]

Just received a message from the vendor, they are sold out of this exhaust system.

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

Wow you're right, it did sell out. I saw it last week, must have been the last few pieces.

Funny thing is there were 2-3 different sellers, with the same exact pic, down to the ugly crooked welds/bends/tips. Makes me think they source it from the same dude.

Hmm that's too bad though, but maybe they will make more?

[rjdmmfl1]

hey fellas, I grabbed this exhaust as well... my sentiments are 100% the same as VQ35CVT's regarding looks, sound, and build...

my tips didn't really come out too crooked, but they looked awful... I ordered these replacement tips from ebay before i even got the exhaust...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...%3AIT