Y34 Custom Exhaust Build

[Reds12t]

I recently picked up a 2003 M45, and have been loving the car so far. After fixing the terrible oil consumption problem and doing the 60k services, I decided that the strange multi mufflered exhaust system needed to go. I dropped by my local hot rod shop to have them build me an exhaust. I had them do the rear section in 3" stainless with mandrel bends and a Magnaflow muffler. I haven't decided on tips yet so it still looks a little unfinished. Now that the rear is done, I want to do header back with high flow metallic substrate cats, hopefully that will be done in Janurary.

Anyway, it sounds just a little more aggressive then stock, and thankfully has little to no drone. Didn't notice that much much in the way of more power, but the engine now revs freely, maximizing the power the engine already makes. In fact, I was able to spin the tires all the up an entire freeway on ramp today. Well both for a shot time, and one of the tires the rest of the way, this car needs an LSD badly!!

Here are the build pics, forgot my camera when I picked up the car, so no completed pics yet. I will add them when I can.







And here is a picture of the chrome coated bulbs i put in the turn signals to get rid of the orange

[dvan]

Nice Y34!! What are those black dots on the rear bumper?

[Reds12t]

Thanks! The black dots are for an aftermarket backup sensor system the previous owner installed.

[infinitedrift]

Nice build dude!! Your going to have to make a you tube video of the exhaust sound when done...good luck on the rest. Your chrome bulbs, do they still blink amber?

[mcrews]

the 03-04 M45 had a similar system to the 02-04 Q45.

I removed the resonators that was right at the y from the cats and installed an X pipe. I got that same slight drown too. But I went dual stock all the way to the suitcase muffler and removed it.

Your solution is ALOT cleaner.

would like to see feedback on mpg also.

[Reds12t]

The chrome bulbs do blink amber, they just eliminate the amber reflections in the light housing when not in use.

I took a 250 mile trip the day after the install, and I did notice a 1-1.5mpg increase. However, I have been doing a lot of full throttle pulls because I love hearing the exhaust, so I haven't been getting great mileage

Mcrews, any pictures of your set up?

[Atlantamark]

Hi from the opposite corner of the country (Atlanta)...I too just got an 04' M45 - can't love this car enough. Luckily, it appears as though I'm not suffering from either the gas gauge or oil consumption issue.

Sorry if I've missed it in another thread, but how did you fix your oil issue?

Thanks!-Mark

[DRIPS]

Can you let us know who makes the aftermarket sensor kit? Does it have a camera integrated or just beeps? Lights? can you get pics of any of those if the kit has them?

Also what did you pay for the exhaust install? I am right near doing this and need the comparison. Also can you send the exact part you used for the muffler?

[Reds12t]

Mark,I didn't think I had an oil consumption problem when I first got it, but after seeing smoke on start up, i started checking the oil regularly. Sure enough, she was drinking oil.

The problem spot is a vacuum tube that runs from right behind the throttle body to a gold tube that connects both of the valve covers. Once I plugged it up, there was no more oil consumption! Eventually I will be putting in an Air/Oil separator from Stef's Fabrication in there. But, that has to wait until my exhaust is finished.

That vacuum port is also a great place to put in Seafoam, I put a whole can through it before I plugged it up. Between the Seafoam and plugging it up, I felt a nice difference in power delivery and idle quality.

[DRIPS]

Mark,I didn't think I had an oil consumption problem when I first got it, but after seeing smoke on start up, i started checking the oil regularly. Sure enough, she was drinking oil.

The problem spot is a vacuum tube that runs from right behind the throttle body to a gold tube that connects both of the valve covers. Once I plugged it up, there was no more oil consumption! Eventually I will be putting in an Air/Oil separator from Stef's Fabrication in there. But, that has to wait until my exhaust is finished.

That vacuum port is also a great place to put in Seafoam, I put a whole can through it before I plugged it up. Between the Seafoam and plugging it up, I felt a nice difference in power delivery and idle quality.

Can you do a little more of a formal write up on this? I knw many of us would follow it since you have tried and tested this.

[Reds12t]

Can you let us know who makes the aftermarket sensor kit? Does it have a camera integrated or just beeps? Lights? can you get pics of any of those if the kit has them?

Also what did you pay for the exhaust install? I am right near doing this and need the comparison. Also can you send the exact part you used for the muffler?

Sorry, I don't know who makes the kit, it was already installed when I bought the car, and the dealer thought it was stock It just beeps, it has a little speaker that was insatlled poorly on headliner right by the driver's side headrest. Not much to see but I can get a picture if you want. I spent about $730, that included buying a 10' section of 3" SS exhaust tubing for $130. We only ended up using about 3' of the tube, whish I would have bought a shorter tube! If you are going to do this, buy the mandrel bends yourself from magnaflow, part number 10719, they are only $25 each, which is a quarter of what the exhaust shop was asking. I needed two of them. I used muffler 12288, which is a 5"x8" oval with a 18" length. It gives a very deep tone, that is a little more aggressive then stock. Do it, you will love it!

[mcrews]

I took a 250 mile trip the day after the install, and I did notice a 1-1.5mpg increase. However, I have been doing a lot of full throttle pulls because I love hearing the exhaust, so I haven't been getting great mileage

Mcrews, any pictures of your set up?

I wonder how much weight you dropped from the whole sysytem redo??

I'm getting about 27+ on the road but I have done several things beside the exhaust. I am actually aiming for 33 mpg on a trip to texas from ca in late jan.

Here is a tail pipe shot..... I post some more of the entire setup.











Modified by mcrews at 10:41 PM 12/8/2009

Modified by mcrews at 10:44 PM 12/8/2009

Modified by mcrews at 10:37 AM 12/9/2009
Modified by mcrews at 10:39 AM 12/9/2009

[mcrews]

Red,Did you have a semi-dual system prior to the new system?

[Reds12t]

Mcrews, your exhaust looks good! It looks like both our cars had the same exhaust systems from the factory. Dual into single, back to dual, then back to single at the rear muffler. I didn't get a chance to weigh the new system, but since it has two less mufflers I am sure I saved a few pounds.

I'm getting about 27+ on the road but I have done several things beside the exhaust. I am actually aiming for 33 mpg on a trip to texas from ca in late jan.

I wish I could get mileage that high, but I can't stay off the throttle, so it's lots of trips to Chevron for me.

Can you do a little more of a formal write up on this? I knw many of us would follow it since you have tried and tested this.

I will throw together a write up this weekend when I have more time, work has been busy for me this week.

[mcrews]

Well I piece mealed mine. Dumped the rear and had straight pipes.THe the resonator had a slight crack and i did a straight pipe there.way to much drone so I then did the x-pipe and the little minis in back.

My goal has been to get to 200k w/zero issues. I know i can go fast....but working the mpg is like a video game!!!!

also the 02 Qhas a 2.76 rear end, the 03 Q & Ms had a 3.??

also I'm running a 255 on the 18 rims instead of a 245. gives me 3% bigger diameter on the tire which lowers the rpm .

I just really am struck by how clean you M is and how simple the exhaust ended up!!!

kudos!!!

[fiveliterbeater]

hey reds, excellent modification!!! isnt it so cool when you get to see your baby being racked up and worked on? kinda makes you feel like your car is being transformed my the show "monster garage" or something

the only thing i dont like are those sensors on your bumper. i think its makes the back look really really tacky.

anyway you can maybe paint them white or something to help them blend in with the rest of the car?

[ken in az]

also the 02 Qhas a 2.76 rear end, the 03 Q & Ms had a 3.??

Awe man - a 2.76 gear!! Gimme I want to see how good of mileage my M gets

also I'm running a 255 on the 18 rims instead of a 245. gives me 3% bigger diameter on the tire which lowers the rpm .

Have you considered going to a skinnier tire? When I went from 245 up to my 275 I noticed a slight drop in mileage

[ken in az]

Sorry OP to go off topic - but that exhaust system looks great!

[Y34GLORIA]

Do u know how much cost u to have the exhaust build? That look really clean and low profile. Good job man

[Reds12t]

the only thing i dont like are those sensors on your bumper. i think its makes the back look really really tacky.

anyway you can maybe paint them white or something to help them blend in with the rest of the car?

I agree, I wasn't too impressed with the install, but they are nice to have. My bumper has a small amount of damage, and will eventually be replaced. I will have them painted then, or moved.

Do u know how much cost u to have the exhaust build? That look really clean and low profile. Good job man

Thanks! It cost me about $730 for parts and labor, it's not done yet, I'm still deciding on tips, and If I wanna do the front half of the exhaust now. I highly recomend doing a custom exhaust, it makes the car even more fun to drive!

[ken in az]

I agree, I wasn't too impressed with the install, but they are nice to have. My bumper has a small amount of damage, and will eventually be replaced. I will have them painted then, or moved.

Thanks! It cost me about $730 for parts and labor, it's not done yet, I'm still deciding on tips, and If I wanna do the front half of the exhaust now. I highly recomend doing a custom exhaust, it makes the car even more fun to drive!

Got any sound clips yet?

[Reds12t]

Finally got around to shooting a quick video today. It was only about 20 degrees out, so the exhaust is pouring out steam, but at least it still sounds good!

[ken in az]

Sounds real nice! Nice and smooth

[Atlantamark]

Thanks for the info <sorry for late reply>.

[M45Caliber]

OK -- I need to get busy and post -- I just had a complete cat-back magnaflow custom dual system installed, with a custom "handmade" X-pipe and sweet stainless dual tips. Sounds awesome and looks good too. Cost me under $600 at Scottsdale Muffler.

[psychodiagnostik]

Looks good. A question I had about y34 exhausts: Don't the '03-'04s have some sort of butterfly that opens above a certain rpm? Does this section of the exhaust have to stay, or can the system just be disconnected?

[M45Caliber]

mine is still up there (the valve actuator and cable, sensor etc.) so any "computer activation" might wiggle the cable but it's not attached to anything anymore. the valve in the exhaust pipe in in the scrap heap. My understanding is it had to do with EPA sound and/or backpressure at low RPM's for more torque, perhaps.

[mcrews]

mine is still up there (the valve actuator and cable, sensor etc.) so any "computer activation" might wiggle the cable but it's not attached to anything anymore. the valve in the exhaust pipe in in the scrap heap. My understanding is it had to do with EPA sound and/or backpressure at low RPM's for more torque, perhaps.

Yep, the 02-06 F50 had the same valve. I wired mine wide open after i removed the suitcase mufller. That way the 'electronic' switch wouldn't send any nasty messages to the ecu

It tended to open at 80% or more full throttle.

[mcrews]

sound clip on 20F50with above stated mods

[Sixtysixmopar]

What does your power look like after the new exhaust? I was told the Infiniti m45 already has amazing exhaust and intake flow