Good Day All:

I have seen a good bit of interest in this topic so after my install last night, I felt like chiming in.

Pre-install impressions:

When the unit arrived, I was quite surprised at size of the box (small). Upon opening and initial inspection, there were some weld splatter marks and what not. I wasn't super annoyed, but I began to questions perhaps the overall quality of the unit. The system was not noticeable heavier then the factory system. I was able to shove all of the bits in the trunk (sans the mid-pipe). Note- I would have preferred the mufflers to be welded to the mid pipe (the two sections connecting to the mid pipe), instead of using multiple clamps. There was room in the box for the for this to have been done.

Installation:

Absolute Breeze!!!! all of the parts mated up quite well to the factory hangers, no issues here. The only part that required some playing around with was the mufflers. When attaching these, I had to inspect the symmetry while my colleague twisted clock/counter clock until they were dead on. Cranked it all down and complete in < 45 minutes.

After Math:

I read quite a few places that this thing would be 10-15% louder then the factory exhaust. I beg to differ, as this thing has a noticeable rumble at idle. Once you apply for boot, it screams. I thought I would be annoyed, as I was looking for 45%-Performance 20%-Aesthetics and 35%-Subtle acoustics. However, I don't mind the noise, as I usually have the radio blaring in any event. My drive to work this morning was certainly more entertaining (45 Minute Commute down I-95). I do enjoy the look of shame in rear-view mirrors when people realize they are about to get passed (at a high-rate of speed of course). It is even better when they hear you coming lol!

Conclusion:

IMO, the exhaust looks great from the back. It sounds good (slightly louder then I would prefer). Performance increase: Neglegiable-Faint. I did get the system on Sale for 660.00 plus handling, so for me it was a pretty good deal. Not sure I would have paid the 850.00 MSRP. All around pleased.

I will happily post up picks if anyone desires, however they are all over this forum.

-Cheers!

 

So you did not have major issues aligning the mufflers? My installer could not get them right and claims they would need to heat, reshape the hangers to make it work. Mine is off by a good 1/4" and is noticeable. Glad yours worked out.

 

Thanks for the review.

I would like to see a mid-far away angle shot from the rear. I am also very interested to see how it holds up against rusting.... Or should I say, interested to see how long it takes before it rusts.

For me, the STILLEN tips are a gamebreaker. Not feeling them at all.

 

No, this wasn't to big a deal for me. I am extremely OCD, so I took care in making sure these bad boys were aligned. But, if the clips were screwed up on them this would have been quite difficult. Sry Bro!

 

I was contemplating have this guy at my job fab the factory tips back on this system, as I do like the factory ones better. But, I am starting to like these tips. I also didn't want to void any warranty on this system (I have a feeling I am going to need it lol). Pics to follow!

 

Alright, for the life of me I can't figure out how to put a pick on here. Do I need to Hyperlink to a webpage?

 

Use this site to host the pic: http://tinypic.com/

You'll get the code from the website to display thepicture, it will start and end with the IMG tags.

 

Here we go!! Hey MaxLoverAz, thx for the heads up, i didnt realize however that gmail had a native image hoster as well. I guess im the youngest old person on the planet!!
http://picasaweb.google.com/Ghicks84...st?feat=email#

 

Here you go:

 

Thanks Much Sir! I'm a bit noobish to forums!

 

Gents:

Did anyone reset their cars computer after the exhaust install. The reason I ask, is that I know Stillen recommended this for the intake install. They cited that the car would need to re "learn" itself in or to properly gain from the air-low increase. Just a thought...

 

*Flow* increase

 

Wow looks like a clean install!

 

couldn't of agreed even more....stillen tips are fugly i rather keep stock and do a str8 pipe....oh wait thats what i did i bet my stock sounds better then stillens


do you get any backfire by any chance? if ur not sure rev car up to 3k then release (in park or n) and could u please post a nice sound clip because stillens sound clip sux

 

I have gotten on it quite a few times now, and I don't have any backfire. I would have done the modified factory exhaust myself, however I wanted to have the complete OEM in case I didn't want the Stillen anymore. I will get back to you with the sound clip. I can tell you, everyone that has heard it was thoroughly impressed. Well either that, or they are just being nice!

 

imcgjh84,
I would love to hear this where are you located in Baltimore? I live in Owings Mills and work in Woodlawn.

 

Wow people this "sound clip" topic has been covered in the last 18 months be several very helpful people already. Search does work on the org!

For the extremely lazy:

 

Where is your sound clip with the straight pipe? We all heard the Stillen exhaust months ago.

 

Yes indeedy! I work in the Port of Baltimore. Lemme know, I have no problem getting up.

 

Alrighty Guys and Gals,

I have a damn rattle!!! WTF!! I could have sworn someone else on here mentioned the same issue. I am annoyed for sure, as I really don't feel like diagnosing it. Nevertheless, I will strap it up and figure it out. Might be a system design flaw, as that bad boy is cranked down tight!

 

I agree, for one they are much smaller than our stocks, the other thing is that they rust badly and it is heavier than the stock system. This kills the deal for me.

Definitely should always do an ECU reset whenever you add any mods to your engine, exhaust or CVT so that our ECU (which is a learning ECU) will learn the curb and make the proper adjustments.

 

Thanks Much for the advice on this!! As far as the damn rattle, I believe it is the cross members rattling against the mid-pipe. I haven't lifted it yet, but that's really all that can be occurring. Still quite annoyed as I am 99% positive this doesn't jive with my OCD.

 

Definitely should always do an ECU reset whenever you add any mods to your engine, exhaust or CVT so that our ECU (which is a learning ECU) will learn the curb and make the proper adjustments.[/QUOTE]


So just to clear things up should you reset the ECU after the upgrades or will the ECU to it itself? And if you have to reset the ECU manually how do you do it?

thanx in advance

 

This worked on my Z and I got this off a Titan forum via Technosquare so it works for the Z and Titan I assume it must work for the Max. It was much faster than the battery disconnect which I hate doing:

No stop watch needed. Just count in your head...one-one thousand, two-one thousand, etc, or use stop watch. The most critical step is step #3....wait 10 sec, instead of 7.

1. Ignition "ON", count to 3.
2. Depress/Release pedal 5 times...hard and fast.
3. Count to 10 (not 7!) and fully depress pedal
4. Count to 12 (SES should be blinking), release pedal
5. Count to 10, depress pedal
6. Count to 10, release pedal.
7. Turn off ignition, then start engine. Done!

 

Thanks for that. Just out of curiousity, what is the battery disconnect method? I hate disconnecting it and having to re-store all my audio presets and crap.

 

Yeah the issue with the battery disco besides what you mentioned i.e. audio presets, windows, etc is how long do you need to disconnect it? Some theorize it takes just 5 minutes to clear the RAM, so say it's 60 minutes, some say 24 hours.

At the dealer they just hook up the laptop and reset it but in most cases they never do unless it's to clear out a CEL.

 

You beat me to it, i stepped out to go watch Denzel's new movie but this is exactly what I would've told him because I, too do not like disconnecting the battery because you have to reset your clock and other things.

 

Good Stuff!! I will have to give this a shot. Thanks!

 

Sorry to bump an old thread guys, but how important is the rear crossmember? Does it add any structural rigidity? My Stillen is rattling off the crossmember too. I can either add a couple of washers to all 4 bolts to give it some more clearance, or simply leave it off.

 

going to order this exhaust tomorrow! kinda excited

 

does the stillen rust?? alot of people have been saying that it rusts quickly, i live in south florida and its pretty humid

 

I don't know why a little rust has so many peoples panties in a bunch.

I have the full Stillen CBE with a Dynomax race bullet resonator swap. Yes, there's some surface rust here and there, mainly on the MIG welds. This is going to happen unless the so-called "full stainless" exhaust you're buying is true T-304SS through and through.

Below is a pick of the rear of my car... the tins and tips are still shiny like new. Sure, the mid-section of the exhaust under the car (that you'll NEVER see unless it's on a lift) has a few small surface rust spots here and there. This isn't a show car, it's a DD, so a little rust here and there wasn't going to sway me from my purchase.

I just use a little metal polish a few times a year with a Mother's Powercone and it always looks good.

 

The rust I am talking about is the whole damn exhaust set up I've seen pics either here or on My7thgen but I'm 99% sure it was pics on here so that's why I didnt get Stillen

Dont get me wrong I do love the look of the Stillen

 

Your Navy Blue MAX look great GM. To be honest I can't recall ever seeing this color Max locally, maybe one? Makes me wonder what the production numbers are for each color type Nissan produced to date?

Do you have a side shot of the Stillen tips to judge how far they protrude (thinking relative to the stock tips). Also wonder about the difference b/t the AB and full cat regarding the same rear profile?

P.S.
Don't blame you one bit for not hugging up to your Nissan neighbor there.

 

Where did you buy it for $660? I'm still wanting to get that or the Borla, but not going to pay full friggin price.

 

Thanks dude!

Yeah I only know of maybe 3-4 people on the boards that have Navy blue. Kinda nice being a "rare" color haha. I wanted to keep the tips in almost the exact same spot as the OEM exhaust system.

In this pic, you can kind of see how far they protrude past the bumper cutout. I'm actually glad I kept them tucked close to the bumper because son of a B!TCH those Stainless tips get HOT!