Cat-back: hesitating between SZ, Borla, Labree and B&B

[Afi]

Hello everyone, how are you? I'm currently in the hunt for a new Cat-back. I've been reading and hearing alot but can't make up my mind once and for all for my '90 2+2 NA

My requirements are:
-Dual Round Tips are a must since I want to preserve that stock look (so no HKS Hi-power for me)
-As close as possible to the stock sound (so I'll stick with H-pipe with resonators and 2,25'' as much as possible)
-Stainless steel


The final four are:

a) Specialty Z (1250$) 2,25", H-pipe with the large resonators)
https://specialtyz.com/shop/300zx/exhau ... s-z32.html

b)Labree (1190$ on CZP)
http://www.conceptzperformance.com/Cart ... 82.195.149

c)B&B (1049$ on CZP but 2.5" is the smallest I'm able to find unfortunately from B&B, is it that big of an issue in terms of fitment with the stock front pipe?)
http://www.conceptzperformance.com/Cart ... 82.195.149

d) Borla?
I can't seem to find a set up for a '90 2+2 NA

Any final recommandations guys?

[Z-owned]

out of those options if money isn't an issue I would go with the specialty Z 2.25" ;as far as the 2.5" fitting on the cat's that isn't a problem they will still bolt up fine.

[Afi]

out of those options if money isn't an issue I would go with the specialty Z 2.25" ;as far as the 2.5" fitting on the cat's that isn't a problem they will still bolt up fine.

Thanks! Will the Specialty Z be the one closest to a stock "feeling" and sound?

[300ZXttZMAN]

Really can't go wrong with the SZ as far as quality is concerned.

But since you want it to still sound stock I am unsure it that is the route you should go.. Worst come to worst you could always call SZ and ask him.

Also AFI thanks for using a descriptive title it will help people search in the future.

[fabbio25]

Go Specialty Z without a doubt. The resonated H pipe will sound the best out of all the ones you mentioned. I personally have the 2.5 resonated X pipe and it sounds awsome.

[Z-owned]

All the exhaust systems you mentioned will be quite a bit louder than stock.

[Afi]

All the exhaust systems you mentioned will be quite a bit louder than stock.

As long as it is nothing excessive, I mean I have an NA after all, I don't need pretend while on the road that a skyrocket is coming through . Anyways, I'm quite used to a bit of noise by now since my mufflers and resonators have little holes in them.

[dbglobal]

I had a Specialty Z installed in my 90 2+2. While it looks beautiful, I had it taken out. It was way to load for my taste, especially at low speeds, lots of deep rumble sound. I had it replaced with a Magnaflow system with large resonators, still a nice sound but much quieter than the Specialty Z.

Dave

[Rager]

i cant comment on the other exhaust but i have a SZ for my 92 2+2. i went with the 2.25 and hte large resonated h pipe as well. at first i thought that it was loud in the z ton the first drive but i relized it wasnt all that loud when i drove by and old lady walking down the street and she didnt even look at my car when i passed her

[Afi]

^^^Thanks! I mean I think a Z will always give the impression that it is loud to the driver and passengers. It is still a 20 years old "sports" car that has all these windows (T-Top, side windows, windshield, etc).

[DCaff300ZX]

I had a Specialty Z installed in my 90 2+2. While it looks beautiful, I had it taken out. It was way to load for my taste, especially at low speeds, lots of deep rumble sound. I had it replaced with a Magnaflow system with large resonators, still a nice sound but much quieter than the Specialty Z.

Dave

I also think that if stock sound levels are your main goal, that a Magnaflow setup will accomplish that best. The setups you listed and all high quality but are built more for better flow and performance, which of course increases noise. In my NA I had a shop fab up all Magnaflow components with Aluminized 2.5" piping, and after a little tweaking was able to get a little more performance AND a barely louder than stock sound...but anything different than stock WILL be louder slightly overall.

[Afi]

Thanks. So the setup below would be the one from Magnaflow?
http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/shop ... ll&id=8445

[DanDrath]

my vote is the b&b much nicer looking and sounding imo, and everybody and there mother has specialtyz/labree. 2.5 will also help your n.a perform better and if you ever do tt swap it, 2.5 inch exhaust will be fine, but 2.25 would not.

[Afi]

No TT swap for me, my goal is to have a Z as close to OEM as possible. I'm only changing the Cat-back because of condensation, there are little holes in my exhaust. Since I've got to change put in a cat-back that will not be OEM, I'll put the highest quality product possible.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

If you want stock sound, Borla is your only option.

If you want top quality and best flow, SpecialtyZ is your only option.

[Afi]

If you want stock sound, Borla is your only option.

If you want top quality and best flow, SpecialtyZ is your only option.

In this case though, I'll take the top quality.

[Ace2cool]

Borla doesn't make a 2+2 exhaust. I found that out the hard way. Just FYI.

[Afi]

Borla doesn't make a 2+2 exhaust. I found that out the hard way. Just FYI.

Please do elaborate?

[itsa300zx]

The 2+2 pipes bend around the gas tank, unlike the 2+0. Someone correct me if im wrong, but I thought SZ doesn't make the 2+2 exhaust neither.

[Afi]

The 2+2 pipes bend around the gas tank, unlike the 2+0. Someone correct me if im wrong, but I thought SZ doesn't make the 2+2 exhaust neither.

They do
https://specialtyz.com/shop/sz-catbacks-z32.html

[Z-owned]

Unless you really need a new hpipe as well i would just get an axle back from specialty Z in 2.25". With the stock cats and hpipe it will be louder than stock but nothing that will cause unwanted attention.

[Afi]

Thanks, but at this point I'll just get the whole cat-back from SZ with an H-Pipe and large resonators. Does anyone know if SZ sells their cat-backs with gaskets and also, should I worry about exhaust drone?

[Ace2cool]

Borla doesn't make a 2+2 exhaust. I found that out the hard way. Just FYI.

Please do elaborate?

post4394442.html?hilit=borla#p4394442

I bought the Borla system, didn't know there was a difference, and decided to cut and weld. This was a long time ago. Looking back,

[Afi]

So, I finally bought the Specialty Z catback. So far, from inside the car, soundwise, I can't really tell the difference between SZ and OEM (that had massive exhaust leak) which is a good thing for me since it is what I wanted. It's basically a nice deep growl without the leak I had with OEM. I know it is a pretty penny to pay to get the same OEM feeling. The only thing I've noticed is a strong metal burning odor while driving (must be the metal "settling in" for a lack of a better word). Here are the specs for those wondering ( I have a '90 NA 2+2):
2.25"
H-Pipe
Resonators
Stainless Steel (Polished)
Dual Round tip

[Metacom]

Damn those large H pipe resonators must really quiet it down a lot to compare it to stock. I have SZ 2.5" open test pipes through resonated X pipe to dual round tips and its loud in a good way but I still want it louder. I hope the eventual down pipes give it that last bit of growl im looking for.

[Z-owned]

Damn those large H pipe resonators must really quiet it down a lot to compare it to stock. I have SZ 2.5" open test pipes through resonated X pipe to dual round tips and its loud in a good way but I still want it louder. I hope the eventual down pipes give it that last bit of growl im looking for.

Get an un-resonated xpipe if you want louder, the down pipes will make some difference if your stock but not as much as swapping xpipes would. Turbos really quite down an exhaust