Hello,

This is not another pointless "what's the best exhaust" thread, as I am trying to put real parameters to my question.

Even though I swore to leave the G exhaust alone (because stock is so good in my opinion), I went down that road after a year of ownership...

I want an exhaust that retains stock somewhat raspy, unmistakably-VQ note, but has an increase in deepness and volume of tone. I am after "refined" (I know, subjective) sound, and "I know it has an exhaust, but it is not obnoxiously loud" volume/tone. Basically, I want to increase stock volume/tone by like 50%, whereas Tanabe is like 200%.

I read many posts on the forum about exhausts; and here is what I did so far:

- First, I went from stock to true-dual IPL. Let me start off by saying this is a GREAT exhaust upgrade over stock. I liked it for a while, as it did exactly what I wanted, just not quite enough for me any more. I like the sound, absolutely no drone (OEM), there is a very noticeable butt-dyno gain, deeper tone, but I want a bit more sound now. I still have this exhaust, and will fall back on it if I don't find what I am looking for. I may be willing to trade it too, but it better be good.

- Next, I replaced IPL muffler with Tanabe mufflers, while keeping the true-dual IPL mid-section. Many seem to favor this set-up on this forum, but it has way too much in-cabin drone for my taste (my taste is little to none), it sounds like a boat under 1800 RPMs, and it is generally too loud for me. Though, I must say, the tone is great, and it sounds fantastic outside, just LOUD. It just has too much drone/volume. I still have Tanabes on, and will be willing to trade or sell them.

- I have had an Ebay exhaust on my late 6MT 350Z vert a few years back (sounded like a boat originally) paired with Magnaflow resonated X-pipe welded in which actually was close to what I am looking for now. Funny enough, I have a J2 exhaust laying around... Yes, I currently have 3 exhausts lol. As I wrote this, I may still try to replicate the same thing on my 5AT G37 if no better alternative is found.

I am trying to find something in between - more sound than the IPL (preferably, the exotic type sound like the Tanabe, just less deep/loud and more refined), but close to being as refined as the IPL; but also, I want it to be quieter than the Tanabe, or at least much less droney.

My research led me to Invidia Q300 full cat-back (too quiet?), as well as some other options.

Can owners chime in with their $.02 on what I should get with my parameters in mind?

Thanks in advance.

 

Infiniti sport muffler. I have stock exhaust except this axle back on my S coupe. I absolutely cannot tolerate drone, (it's always worse in an automatic), and this has none. Nice and quiet at cruising speed, barks nicely when you get on it. A little pricey new. Part # is B0100-1NG26.

 

Spock, where in CA are you located if you don't mind me asking? This really looks like a logical step... I read about this axelback, I just want to ensure it is a significant upgrade in sound over my IPL (I now know they are not the same).

 

North of Toronto. I've heard IPL exhaust and this is louder while retaining the same tone. The rev matched downshifts sound great IMO. Nice crackle.

 

CA as in Canada, not California... Got it.

Last question about this: since you had heard both IPL and this one, is it a definite improvement over the IPL (not over regular S)? And if so, can you try to quantify it? I read posts and looked on YouTube, but those videos really make it hard to judge.

 

I also added the Infiniti accessory sport muffler, and like it. Beautiful Non magnetic stainless steel, perfect fit, deeper growl than stock g37s, otherwise stock cat back, little drone with automatic. It has a nice howl when on the go pedal, feels just a bit peppier, as it is straight through. Ordered from dealership through infiniti online site, and took the discount net at $583.61. Comes with gaskets.

 

I'm surprised the tanabe had drone. I think the tanabes have a deeper tone than the Q300. There is a lot of videos on youtube so you can compare the two.

 

I used to have Top Speed full cat back on my late 2008 G35S Gen 2 sedan, and that had a little drone, probably as much or more than the Tanabe. It actually only drones little, but even that is too much for me. Plus it is just a little too loud for my personal taste...

 

So far, it looks like the Sport Accessory muffler is exactly what I want... I even already posted all my exhausts for trade in the classifieds... We'll see.

I am still open to other suggestions, though.

 

Sport here....love it. Fyi, I hate the sound of the ipl....sounds awful.

 

I wonder what the Sport AB would sound like bolted to a stock IPL. Assuming that it fits?

 

 

 

I had stock IPL and there's definitely drone under 2K.

 

I wonder if it varies car to car... I had ZERO drone with the IPL. Now, under 2K RPMs I HEARD the exhaust when on the pedal, but it was the sound of the exhaust coming in from the outside, not the droney resonance filling the cabin. I wonder if we have different definitions of drone? Mine is the resonance inside the cabin, not the sound from outside. In any case, thank you for your feedback!