Just got a new catback and resonated test pipes my cel is on do I need a tune and if so should I prioritize it soon I was looking at tune platforms like admintuning and z1 and was wondering if anyone with experience has any advice they would share on this topic!
Got my test pipes in thanks to you guys and I got a custom exhaust made with a single exit catback with a magnaflow muffler and 4 inch tip here are some sound clips
So I just bought some resonated Berk test pipes and while putting it in, I was able to get every bolt out besides the harder bolt that you have to reach from the engine I believe it’s called the exhaust head bolt it’s what connects the header to the cats and it’s the very hidden bolt that’s hard to remove. and I ended up breaking a 3/8 extensions and 3/8 socket and we were about to move onto a half socket before I realized the possibility of breaking the bolt which would result in me having to pull the engine out of the car so I sprayed some PB blaster and put all the bolts back. Do you think I should return it and just go a different route or maybe have a shop do it or just try it again? I also didn’t spray pb blaster on the head of the bolt only the threads. And if I back out of this now down the line does this mean I can’t replace my cats?
I haven’t seen this problem being posted as much so I’m curious and would like to know some of your thoughts.
I have a 2007 Nissan 350Z with the VQ35HR. It’s already lowered and I’m happy with how it sits. I’m not building a track car and I’m not chasing big power numbers — I’m fully aware that bolt-ons on a NA motor aren’t going to transform the car. That’s not what this is about.
What I actually want is for the car to be fun to drive. Specifically I want the flame map and burble map that comes with an EcuTek tune, better exhaust sound that’s louder than stock but not obnoxious, and the ability to switch between a normal daily map and the fun map via Bluetooth. I’m not trying to be that guy who announces himself everywhere he goes.
The setup I’m considering:
• Berk resonated test pipes (keeping stock Y-pipe and stock catback)
• AdminTuning EcuTek remote tune with Bluetooth map switching
Total investment around $1,420.
Why I’m going resonated specifically:
I want the open exhaust sound from removing the cats without the harshness and drone that straight test pipes bring. The resonators should help keep it manageable for daily driving while still being noticeably different from stock.
Why I’m keeping the stock catback for now:
Honestly budget. The Revel Touring-S is $1,090 and I’d rather put that money elsewhere right now. From what I understand the catback can be swapped later without needing a retune since the tune is calibrated around the engine parameters and O2 sensors, not the specific muffler setup. Happy to be corrected on this if I’m wrong.
Has anyone run resonated test pipes on an otherwise stock exhaust with the VQ35HR? What does it actually sound like and is the volume increase manageable? Is spending $1,050 on an EcuTek tune with minimal supporting mods a waste or does the fun factor justify it regardless of power gains? Any sound clips or experience with this specific combination would be huge.
Is this a stupid build or does it make sense for what I’m trying to do?
Rn my vq is pretty stock besides my air intakes I got a 07 hr at 80k miles and I want it to sounds nice. I was thinking a Tomei single exit with my stock y pipe and berk resonated test pipes would make it sound more aggressive. Thoughts since this is my daily and I don’t really know what this would sound like.