I've searched, so please don't say that to me So here it is:

- On the VQ35DE, it's commonly known that 3" is the way to go, sounds great, and produces power without killing torque.

- I know on the standard VQ30DE, it's commonly said that ideal is 2.25"-2.75", but nothing larger unless boosted.

So the question is, what should those of us with the VQ30DE-K run??? We're talking about an engine with a very different intake and exhaust from the standard VQ30DE, and without a doubt, it produces a different exhaust note (which surprised me quite a bit, the VQ30DE is quite raspy in the 4th gen)

I am finally in the market for an exhaust, the chances of me boosting in the future are small, I'd be more likely to upgrade to the 3.5. I figure the ideal would be to go with a 2.75", but it's not available, so it seems I have to choose, 2.5" or 3"????

I would love to see dyno numbers on this, but I've hunted and hunted and cannot find them, just dead links, and no useful discussions.

 

What are your mods? May help answer your question

 

3". readily available from BRM or cattman, and more power. and since u might be swapping a vq35 and you already said they make the most gain on the 3.5 I think you know that you want that one... BUTTT now you want us to tell how much more awesome the 3.5 is so that you can have a clearer conscience spending 800 bucks on an exhaust

 

Sorry good call meant to include that, short list:

-SRI with Velocity stack, will be a tuned CAI sometime in the future, no time right now
-Timing Advance
-Trying to get my hands on a Cattman Y-Pipe, but a Y-pipe will be part of this equation regardless of the make

 

Warpspeed makes a 3'' y-pipe to go with the 3'' cat-back we all know your going to get...
I got one and boy is it prutty can't wait to install it

 

ive been asking the same question...Y pipe n Catback are a near future purchase for me...to me it depends on the cost(3" vs 2.5") vs reward(gains)to make my decision

DYNOs would be nice

 

Got a Cattman 2.5 (used/restored). Didn't really like the sound of the dek w/ a 3in but that's me. For power 3in is probably the better bet.

 

Sound and low end power is more important. I DO NOT want rasp, or fart can effect (exhaust too large for engine output)

 

Heard a 3'' Cattman in person on a 3.0, it sounded hella nice, but he also had the Cattman headers and a Testpipe....straight Joy to My Ears, cant wait for my Headers....

 

Damn Double Post

 

What I heard didn't sound raspy or...farty (for lack of a better term lol), but it was definitely loud and had a pronounced 'drone' at cruising speeds.

 

I am trying to make the same decision as you, not wanting the rasp or the drone. I'd go with 3 inch if you want power and plan on getting a 3.5 later down the road. Anyone know the gains of a y pipe and 3 inch exhaust? Usually everyone with a 3inch exhaust either has headers or just the exhaust.

 

3" period end of story lock the thread.

 

Rasp is produced most of the time with test pipes (No Cat)! I'm running a 2.5" WSP Metallic cat and there is no rasp whatsoever!

 

3" all the way.

 

I am happy with a 3" exhaust on my 3.0 DE. I don't think it sounds raspy or has a fart can effect, but we all have our own opinions. Have a listen.

Light/normal acceleration:


No more than half throttle:


Full throttle:

 

3" BRM or Cattman. Go big or go home.

/thread

 

if you can afford it..3"

 

Pretty much what everybody said. Go with a 3" exhaust

 

Late to the party but oh well, GO 3"! OR GO HOME!

 

Cutout.

 

On-topic: I've heard and driven MaximusTi's (sold) 2003 TE, w/Cattman headers and 3.0" cat-back. It was an amazing, delicious sound, but loud 24/7. It just never lets up on the noise, kind of like a new 5.0 Mustang in that sense. Quiet is not an option.

Off-topic: modding your AE tells me that your TE project isn't working out. Bummer.

 

It's quiet to me

 

I'd have to agree with Rochester, 3" is loud no doubt, gutted cats or headers will increase the sound a lot.

 

Once again Rochester hits it on the head. Same reason I went with a 2.5. I am running Mega test pipe-Cattman B-pipe-Stillen Rear section and its perfect. No drone, I picked up lots of power and from idle to around 2500 rpm its got the perfect G37 sound. If your looking for all out no compromise power then go 3". Me I still like to hold a conversation with my family when I drive around .

 

 

Go 5 in

 

One of your first posts. Your reputation is young. Protect it.

 

My big 3 concerns with a 3" exhaust, in order:

1. Raspy/ricey exhaust note.

2. Loss of low end power. This is one large area that no one has commented on, and one of my big concerns with the 3" approach.

3. Too loud (I have a 16 month old, and I'm just not into a loud exhaust, just a nice deep throaty tone is the most I want, otherwise, would prefer stock dB.


Sounds like I'd have to consider a different muffler if I go with anything but Cattman, and even then, may still be too loud.

For those assuming I'm swapping a 3.5, I want you to know that it's quite unlikely I would do that.

@Rochester, as I noted in my PM I just sent, I haven't been working on the TE at all. I do however, need an exhaust on the AE, and the cat-back is interchageable between the two cars anyways.

I just wonder if 3" is worth the cost, and the added noise on the DE-K, especially with little to no mods.

 

Of all the information on the exhausts for our Maximas (manufacturer, size, cost, and engine version - VQ30 vs VQ35), is there anyone who could put it all together in a nice little package for everyone?

Putting all the information together may be a great way to avoid ongoing threads like this. If something could be put together, such as with Shift_ice's information formulation comparing suspensions.....I think it would really help.

I think most information on exhausts is out there and among the forums, but the halfass responses, bad information, and contradicting opinions muddys the water significantly (see again the example about suspension and how Shift_ice filtered the water and made it drinkable).

Any volunteers? /;-)

 

Not that that isn't a good idea, but the problem w/ exhausts is that IMO it's much more subjective than spring heights (which can simply be viewed as in Shiftice's site)

However, perhaps a poll could be taken to get a general idea of the community thoughts on it. Youtube videos tell a different story everytime so they aren't really reliable.

 

No arguement. Still IMO a great start to really getting everything together so.

 

Indeed. And if history does actually repeat itself then I'm sure TunerMax will get something going lol. He usually does. He'll inquire, gather responses, make conclusions, and then give detailed explanations on all the gathered info. I'm sure he knows this about himself

 

Why is there a "so" at the end of my sentence? I didn't mean for that to happen! I'd edit it, but I've been quoted!! DAMIN!! LOL!!

 

LOL you two crack me up. I do know that about myself, I love to share information, but this is one area I will not do it.
Why? Because sound clips don't work.

The only usable information here that would work is dyno sheets on stock VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE before and after with each product, this information is not something we have, or will get, period.

The other reason being, there's not much need for it in the 5th forums, the fact is most guys have the 3.5, and the 3" is the exhaust for the 3.5, there's no argument, but on the DE-K, I think it's a very viable argument, one that should gather more insightful ideas and thoughts/recommendations, rather than the 'GO 3" or go home" comments (no offense boys, I knew I'd get those answers , but lets actually put this to reason shall we?

 

don't know about the max's yet but i had an 86 supra that i ran a 2.5 inch catback up from the stock 2 inch pipe. i would go no bigger than that for fear of loosing too much bottom end torque. plus i got comments on how good it sounded all the time, even from people that only like domestic cars!

 

When I had my 03'' had the 3.0'' Cattman Exhausdt with Fastcat, and the first week brand new I was like WTF did I buy, this thing is loud, but after about a week and the carbon builds up just sounds like I threw on a aftermarket muffler like Magnaflow not a whole exhaust, but i will see the sound when it is together with the Headers....my wife could deal with the sound is she is really picky, but with your baby, thats a whole nother story...So Good Luck.

 

For a rough, approximate idea on noise (Db) level, not overall sound/performance/tone on a DEK w/ a 3" Cattman, just unbolt/take your rear section off and you'll have a pretty good idea of the Db level of a brand new 3" Cattman on DEK motor (if all else is stock & 10+ yrs. old, Ha)........However, this applies to a freshly installed 3" Cattman on a '00 DEK because less than 35 miles after I installed the 3" Cattman, my flex ruptured-in several places, on my OEM Y pipe, which was before the carbon truly had a chance to fully insulate the new 3" piping. If that's too loud for your little one then maybe, just maybe, a 2.5" is what you need. Although it will only get quieter/more mellow as the carbon builds up.

I do believe the Cattman 3" would still be your best bet though He has a couple sets available right NOW and is not making his 2.5" catback anymore and maybe neither ever again depending what transgresses in the next couple months w/ the company. The Cattman 3" is definitely not raspy or rice by any means (just drones (among other things) like crazy ONLY w/ my failed flex) which has nothing to do with the 3". Either way, IMHO, I believe it sounds much smoother on DEK than on a 4th Gen, but still sounds pretty good on 4th.

Since my flex failed right after installing the 3" I can't say with absolute certainty that there wasn't any low-end TQ loss but I haven't noticed any, although I have a 5MT. I will be able to provide an update in October once my Y pipe ships from Cattman and is installed. Hope that helps.

 

I actually have the Greddy EVO2 2.5" on my parked 5.5, the muffler and tip are terrible though, otherwise I would have swapped it in already. I'm considering welding the stock muffler onto it and calling it a day.

 

I can't speak for other 3'' set-up, but mines doesn't have a fart can sound/loud or drone. I heared a cat-man 2.5 with headers and it was louder then mine...
My set-up 3'' no reasonater and custom maxima headers
click pic VVVV