HKS exhaust or Megan Racing Exhaust

[mnofal225]

hey i know this topic has been beaten around so much but i cant decide between the hks or megan. Both sound great, but is there a difference in quality between the two or is megan just cheaper (i mean hks are like 100-150 more). i would just like your opinions.

Thanks

[bartZ32tt]

up to you, they're both on the "cheap" end of the spectrum. HKS is a more quality product, but hideous IMO.

[Fearspect]

I thought Megan Racing was one of those 'knock off other companies products with cheap copies' companies. Am I mistaken?

[300ZXttZMAN]

I thought Megan Racing was one of those 'knock off other companies products with cheap copies' companies. Am I mistaken?

They are and at the same time they aren't. Its def cheap lower quality stuff made in China and shipped in bulk. But on the flip side alot of the S-chassis guys swear by Megan products, people also say that their quality control efforts have improved significantly over the years and that they are starting to create some of their own stuff.... But regardless, I personally wouldn't ever use any of their products.

~6 years ago if you would have asked me this then I would say yes with out a doubt they are a straight up copy cat company with low quality control standards.



As far as the OP's question. I don't like either option...

[andre1038]

hey 300zxttman what's your opinion on Borla exhausts? just throwing another option out there for the OP

[gsrteg]

hks ftw! looks and sounds awsome! go catless btw..

[a.p.barron]

If I were to choose between those two, I would go with HKS, since it's one of the highest flowing exhausts for our cars.

[300ZXttZMAN]

hey 300zxttman what's your opinion on Borla exhausts? just throwing another option out there for the OP

I have heard good things about it.. I have never seen it in person though.

[mnofal225]

The reason I chose those two systems because they are in my price range. I was prolly gonna end up going with hks but what other systems are good. I'm still open to options

[Fearspect]

Well, I am a big advocate of buying the best you can the first time. I have heard it from a lot of people that the downside of buying cheaper parts is paying again to replace them later with something really good, or even worse, them breaking down and needing to be replaced along with other systems it might have affected. Additionally, there is something to be said for the customer service as provided by the higher end product providers; in general, if they product is faulty, you get a no-questions-asked replacement. This is not true of all companies, especially those selling at a discount.

Now, I don't think it is as big of an issue with an exhaust system; if you have a crappy one, your biggest worry is just a lot of (the wrong kind of) noise. Still, there are big names out there, like B&B, Labree and SpecialtyZ that produce very quality products, albeit at about double the cost. Think of it as an investment, that pays you back in the future but costs more up front.

All that being said, there is a large part of the community that swears by HKS. You cannot deny that it encourages high flow. Just keep in mind that you don't need the biggest one out there if you are driving a NA, 2.25" seems to be what I hear for exhaust size on non-turbo z32s.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Very well said.^

[TTkickedin]

Apex'i Hybrid Megaphone. I am (or was) really satisfied with their product. (i have the old super megaphone exhaust,) moderately rare..

Lots of people hate on the HKS exhaust, but i'd say it's pretty decent for the money you're spending.

[mnofal225]

Well, I am a big advocate of buying the best you can the first time. I have heard it from a lot of people that the downside of buying cheaper parts is paying again to replace them later with something really good, or even worse, them breaking down and needing to be replaced along with other systems it might have affected. Additionally, there is something to be said for the customer service as provided by the higher end product providers; in general, if they product is faulty, you get a no-questions-asked replacement. This is not true of all companies, especially those selling at a discount.

Now, I don't think it is as big of an issue with an exhaust system; if you have a crappy one, your biggest worry is just a lot of (the wrong kind of) noise. Still, there are big names out there, like B&B, Labree and SpecialtyZ that produce very quality products, albeit at about double the cost. Think of it as an investment, that pays you back in the future but costs more up front.

All that being said, there is a large part of the community that swears by HKS. You cannot deny that it encourages high flow. Just keep in mind that you don't need the biggest one out there if you are driving a NA, 2.25" seems to be what I hear for exhaust size on non-turbo z32s.

Yes of course i understand this fact completely. i am like this myself, but to be honest i do not really see the difference between these exhaust systems. Do they use different quality metal ( i mean it seems obvious) but all of them are mendrel bent and you can choose ur piping whether you have a TT or NA. that is what keeps bugging me.

Bare with me guys im still a newbie

[300ZXttZMAN]

Different quality metal, different quality welds ect.


I think you should go with the HKS since you don't mind how it looks.

[DankZX]

Or got to a welding shop, have them weld in 2.25 or 2.5" SS tubing, bend it how you want and stick some SS mufflers on there and it will probably close to the same cost as either one of these.

[Ziggy1621]

I think you should go with the HKS since you don't mind how it looks.

You mean if you don't mind being deemed a ricer

[Z-owned]

Unless the hks is used, new prices have gone up a couple hundred on them since hks usa hq went under. The current prices of them unless they are the look your after isn't justified when you could get the SZ catback for similar price in the aluminized piping.

[mnofal225]

Unless the hks is used, new prices have gone up a couple hundred on them since hks usa hq went under. The current prices of them unless they are the look your after isn't justified when you could get the SZ catback for similar price in the aluminized piping.

I didnt even know about the specialty z exhaust they seem better plus the HKS come at a weird a$$ angle. Just like everyone said it is way to ricey and doesnt look that great on it. i looked at the SZ and it is 820 with shipping. Once i get paid im going with that. Also not trying to change the subject but i am looking for some after market rims that are light weight and does not interfere with the offset of the wheels. I was talking about and he was telling me that the offset on the Z32 are kinda weird. I am a blank slate when it comes to this matter so if anyone know a thread or a website that will help with my issue please let me know.

P.S. My car is white and i am open to color suggestions for the wheels.

[andre1038]

I also to was looking into an HKS but only if its used. yea it looks ricerish but at least it flows good but i would not buy it new cause SZ has that look that goes better with the car. 4 tips vs two mellon cannons lol but yea the HKS doesn't bother me much but if it i were to pay for one new it would bother me why i didn't go with a SZ exhaust for a little more.
-HKS get it if the look doesn't bother you and used
If buying new
GET SZ plain and simple
Megan Racing UNLESS u land one for dirt cheap

When it comes to wheels there is many threads about it here shoot i even have a thread about my new 5zigens i bought due to me listening to some of the guys who know their stuff here about offsets and rim size like Big T, 300zxttman, and Zowned ( BTW his rims are awesome on his car)

Also depends what your gonna do to the car like are you trying to be hellaflush with stretched tires or lowered to a good height with rims that actually fit the car

In my case i have this set up since i like Function > Form

18x8.5 38 offset -Front
18x9.5 35 offset -Rear

My track set up is gonna be either

18x8.5 30 offset in the front
18x8.5 38 offset in the rear
or
18x8.5 30 offset all the way around (it all depends if i find a fourth 18x8.5 30 offset in silver i have almost two sets of 5zigen Fno1r-c (4 black with polished lip which is my staggered set and 3 silver ones that is my non staggered set up)

like i said there is many different set ups u can do but i do know with my set up i can run pretty low without doing much fender work (or maybe none at all, won't know until i finish saving up for powertrix coilovers and adjustable suspension components)

[TTkickedin]

If you still want function over form, you could go with 18x9.5's all around for your track setup, and even the daily driving setup. Results in a more neutral driving experience. IMO I would only run staggered fitment on a mid engine car, or drag car. or soemthign with a significant stagger from the factory, like a corvette.

Square fitment is better suited for these cars in terms of handling. Also, when you run a square setup you can maintain the ability to rotate tires. When you run staggered, youd have to buy different sized tires, and replace the rears more frequently than the front.

[Ace2cool]

hey 300zxttman what's your opinion on Borla exhausts? just throwing another option out there for the OP

I have heard good things about it.. I have never seen it in person though.

I know this topic has moved on from here, but I'd just like to say that I loved my Borla system on the 2+2. The sound quality is absolutely amazing, inside and out, and not very much drone at all. Very quiet until you "wake it up." Here's a post I made a while back with the differences between the stock and the Borla system. Yes, it's custom pipes, but it sounded the same as my buddy who had the same system.

post4394493.html?hilit=borla#p4394493

It is a little bit more restrictive of a system compared to other brands, but I loved the sound it made, and I obviously wasn't going for power in an N/A.

[zswap0429]

I got a set of stillens off of my parts car and i love the way they sound. Im still n/a so i dont really know if they make much of a difference. Just my opinion on sound though