2CarPros - Car Questions & Answers

2006 Nissan 350Z Repair Question


Topics covered: Exhaust, Performance, Engine.
Mileage: No information provided.

Asked on December 24, 2009

2006 Nissan 350Z exhaUST

Engine Performance problem
2006 Nissan 350Z 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual 14682 miles

I AM PLANNING TO REPLACE THE STOCK/OEM EXHAUST. WILL I GAIN A NOTICEABLE PERFORMANCE INCREASE IN HP AND REAR WHEEL TORQUE WITH A TRUE DUAL CAT BACK EXHAUST? SAME WITH REPLACING THE CATALYTIC OEM CONVERTERS AND INSTALLING FREE FLOW CATALYTIC CONVERTERS?

PLEASE ADVISE AS TO EASE OF INSTALLATION SINCE NO INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE INCLUDED.
Avatar Asked by rambopup4

Answer

Replied on February 23, 2010

Your only performance gains will be psychological. (Maybe 5-horsepower at best. And ditto for torque)

And the manufacturer's claims are just that, claims.

The only time you'll get a big performance gain out of replacing exhaust systems (Not counting headers), is when your engine was built to make a lot of power, but the exhaust is too small to allow it. But Nissan did a good job in matching your exhaust with the potential output of it's motors.

Now if you were to install headers and a dual exhaust with high-flow converters, then you'll actually feel a "seat of the pants" difference. But even that won't be as big as you may think. Because most of your gains will come at high r.p.m.s.

If you were to install high-flow intake, larger injectors, and remap the computer to deliver more fuel, then your high-flow exhaust will make a bigger difference.

Tiny Answered by Ernest Clark (expert)
1,762 answers provided