Invidia Gemini CBE & ARK Test Pipes Review

jcosta79 · 08-04-2015, 05:12 PM

Some of you may know that I had ARK test pipes installed on my 2012 Nismo along with a K&N Typhoon and a tune about 2 years ago. Well I finally installed an Invidia Gemini exhaust on the car.

Here are my thoughts & ratings on a 1 - 10 score:

Fit & Finish - 10
The exhaust came fully boxed, wrapped and protected. Each piece fit without any issues, basically like OEM. Nothing had to be adjusted, just bolt-on. (I did not install the exhaust, Jotech Motorsports did, but I watched them do the whole install in about an hour)

Sound - 9
Holy cow this system sounds good! It is not overly loud and it has zero, and I mean zero, drone. It sounds stock on idle but when you put your foot in it, it sounds growly and mean. The sound is very refined and sporty, basically what this car should have sounded like from the factory. The only reason I did not give it a 10 is because I wish it sounded a little louder as you approach redline. The engine noise almost cancels out the exhaust noise at that point. But when you blip the throttle and in the low to mid RPM range it sounds wicked!

Exhaust Tips - 8 (9.5 UPDATE)
They look good and are quality pieces. I wish they were larger (they are 4 inches vs the stock Nismo tips which are 5 inches) and I don't like that they are bolted versus welded on and you can see some of the bolt sticking out when looking at the tips after it's mounted on the car. I got the rolled stainless tips, but they also offer rolled titanium and straight titanium. (Bolts were rotated. Cannot see them now)

Power - 10
I have not had it dynoed yet because they had both dynos busy today, but as soon as they have an opening they will bring me back in to run it on the dyno to see what the final numbers are. From seat of the pants I can tell you that this system is much better tuned than the stock Nismo H-pipe. Low end and mid range throttle response is MUCH better. The x-pipe and the OEM pipe diameter size (2.3 inches) help keep exhaust flow high which helps with torque. Top end power is marginal. I can't really tell if it's making more or not. This is obviously a system designed for N/A applications and will not be the exhaust of choice for FI.

Value - 10
Total cost of the system was $910 shipped from Redline 360. I can't think of another exhaust anywhere near this good for that price.

Overall Score - 9.5
Excellent exhaust that was well-engineered, well-built, and is an excellent value. You cannot go wrong with this exhaust.

NOTE: Since I already had ARK test pipes on the car I can only give my opinions based on this already existing setup. My car was also previously tuned with UpRev by Jotech, so if you install this system without tuning, your results may vary.

Once I get the car re-tuned and dynoed I will post the results.

Here are some crappy pics:

tonyl001 · 08-04-2015, 06:33 PM

I have the same exhaust and I love it. I want to install test pipes but not sure with want brand to go with. Is there any hissing noise with the set up you have?

jcosta79 · 08-04-2015, 07:05 PM

There is some hiss, but believe it or not it's actually a lot LESS than with the stock Nismo exhaust.

Trips · 08-04-2015, 07:06 PM

Nice review!

jcosta79 · 08-09-2015, 10:42 PM

I need to update my tips number. I rotated the bolts myself and now you can't see them. Perfect!

I really am enjoying this exhaust. Excellent sound without being obnoxious. I love it!

Ramage · 08-10-2015, 08:44 PM

Nice review! I have it on mine and love the sound.

Cercious · 08-14-2015, 10:06 PM

I'm new to the forums, but I've been looking around. I notice you're in the DFW area. I'm in Rowlett. I bought a 2009 a couple months ago, and after buying my bike in October and tinkering with it, I've been of a mind to tinker with my car. Are there any issues with passing inspection around here with test pipes? Been planning on checking out Jotech for a dyno run so I have a baseline of where this thing is at.

prat7728 · 08-14-2015, 11:13 PM

I recently paired my invidia with motordyne art pipes. Love the combo and has no hiss at all

jcosta79 · 08-14-2015, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cercious

I'm new to the forums, but I've been looking around. I notice you're in the DFW area. I'm in Rowlett. I bought a 2009 a couple months ago, and after buying my bike in October and tinkering with it, I've been of a mind to tinker with my car. Are there any issues with passing inspection around here with test pipes? Been planning on checking out Jotech for a dyno run so I have a baseline of where this thing is at.

No issues with inspection as long as you get a tune. I've done 2 inspections already and passed both.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

08-04-2015, 05:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
jcosta79 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: N/A Posts: 1,430 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 15	Invidia Gemini CBE & ARK Test Pipes Review Some of you may know that I had ARK test pipes installed on my 2012 Nismo along with a K&N Typhoon and a tune about 2 years ago. Well I finally installed an Invidia Gemini exhaust on the car. Here are my thoughts & ratings on a 1 - 10 score: Fit & Finish - 10 The exhaust came fully boxed, wrapped and protected. Each piece fit without any issues, basically like OEM. Nothing had to be adjusted, just bolt-on. (I did not install the exhaust, Jotech Motorsports did, but I watched them do the whole install in about an hour) Sound - 9 Holy cow this system sounds good! It is not overly loud and it has zero, and I mean zero, drone. It sounds stock on idle but when you put your foot in it, it sounds growly and mean. The sound is very refined and sporty, basically what this car should have sounded like from the factory. The only reason I did not give it a 10 is because I wish it sounded a little louder as you approach redline. The engine noise almost cancels out the exhaust noise at that point. But when you blip the throttle and in the low to mid RPM range it sounds wicked! Exhaust Tips - 8 (9.5 UPDATE) They look good and are quality pieces. I wish they were larger (they are 4 inches vs the stock Nismo tips which are 5 inches) and I don't like that they are bolted versus welded on and you can see some of the bolt sticking out when looking at the tips after it's mounted on the car. I got the rolled stainless tips, but they also offer rolled titanium and straight titanium. (Bolts were rotated. Cannot see them now) Power - 10 I have not had it dynoed yet because they had both dynos busy today, but as soon as they have an opening they will bring me back in to run it on the dyno to see what the final numbers are. From seat of the pants I can tell you that this system is much better tuned than the stock Nismo H-pipe. Low end and mid range throttle response is MUCH better. The x-pipe and the OEM pipe diameter size (2.3 inches) help keep exhaust flow high which helps with torque. Top end power is marginal. I can't really tell if it's making more or not. This is obviously a system designed for N/A applications and will not be the exhaust of choice for FI. Value - 10 Total cost of the system was $910 shipped from Redline 360. I can't think of another exhaust anywhere near this good for that price. Overall Score - 9.5 Excellent exhaust that was well-engineered, well-built, and is an excellent value. You cannot go wrong with this exhaust. NOTE: Since I already had ARK test pipes on the car I can only give my opinions based on this already existing setup. My car was also previously tuned with UpRev by Jotech, so if you install this system without tuning, your results may vary. Once I get the car re-tuned and dynoed I will post the results. Here are some crappy pics: abm89, Memphis370Z, Ramage and 1 others like this. __________________ 2012 PW NISMO #0559 - GT Spec Brace Kit - Swift Springs - ARK TP & Invidia CBE K&N Intake - UpRev Tune - 15mm Z1 Spacers & Studs - StopTech Slotted Rotors & SS Lines - ZSpeed CMAK with Stage 2 Clutch and Lightweight Flywheel Last edited by jcosta79; 01-22-2021 at 03:30 PM.

08-04-2015, 07:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
jcosta79 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: N/A Posts: 1,430 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 15	There is some hiss, but believe it or not it's actually a lot LESS than with the stock Nismo exhaust. __________________ 2012 PW NISMO #0559 - GT Spec Brace Kit - Swift Springs - ARK TP & Invidia CBE K&N Intake - UpRev Tune - 15mm Z1 Spacers & Studs - StopTech Slotted Rotors & SS Lines - ZSpeed CMAK with Stage 2 Clutch and Lightweight Flywheel

08-04-2015, 07:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,732 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	Nice review! __________________

08-09-2015, 10:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
jcosta79 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: N/A Posts: 1,430 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 15	I need to update my tips number. I rotated the bolts myself and now you can't see them. Perfect! I really am enjoying this exhaust. Excellent sound without being obnoxious. I love it! __________________ 2012 PW NISMO #0559 - GT Spec Brace Kit - Swift Springs - ARK TP & Invidia CBE K&N Intake - UpRev Tune - 15mm Z1 Spacers & Studs - StopTech Slotted Rotors & SS Lines - ZSpeed CMAK with Stage 2 Clutch and Lightweight Flywheel

08-10-2015, 08:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ramage Base Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Weymouth,Ma Posts: 72 Drives: 15 Z Midnight blue Rep Power: 11	Nice review! I have it on mine and love the sound. __________________ I am not designed to come second or third.. I am designed to WIN! - Ayrton Senna

08-04-2015, 06:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
tonyl001 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Sanford nc Posts: 49 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z Red M Rep Power: 10	I have the same exhaust and I love it. I want to install test pipes but not sure with want brand to go with. Is there any hissing noise with the set up you have?

08-14-2015, 10:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
Cercious Base Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 1 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 10	I'm new to the forums, but I've been looking around. I notice you're in the DFW area. I'm in Rowlett. I bought a 2009 a couple months ago, and after buying my bike in October and tinkering with it, I've been of a mind to tinker with my car. Are there any issues with passing inspection around here with test pipes? Been planning on checking out Jotech for a dyno run so I have a baseline of where this thing is at.

08-14-2015, 11:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
prat7728 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Baltimore Posts: 45 Drives: 09 370Z Sport Rep Power: 12	I recently paired my invidia with motordyne art pipes. Love the combo and has no hiss at all

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