I'm torn on what to get next...
 

My Z is basically stock other than AAM Short Tails. I just purchased an HKS Hi-Power Ti exhaust, so that will be here soon. Actually, I'll be going to pick it up soon.

My question is, which should I go with next for the most bang for the buck, as both cost roughly the same... Should I go with the Stillen G3 intake or should I go with the Motordyne test pipes to finish off the exhaust? Or should I go with a different test pipe (resonated preferably)? I want durability and longevity in whichever test pipes I get, and would rather not have to deal with a CEL until I can get a tune which may be for a while.

Many thanks in advance!

I would recommend an Ecutek tune by a reputable tuner with the option to get tune adjustments at no charge as you add bolt on's for some limited period. The drivability will be much improved and you will get a small power increase.

you really cant go wrong with getting either the stillen intakes or the Motordyne ART pipes. the ART pipes are the best cat delete i can think of and they dont throw a CEL. you might want to check your local emission/inspection laws and see if you can get away with a test pipe or not first.

An Ecutek tune would be nice, but am pretty sure that would run more than $600, especially with the required dyno time.

As for emmision/inspection stuff, luckily we don't have that down here in Florida. So that wouldn't be an issue for me.

I am in a similar situation. I currently have the HKS Hi-Power exhaust and strongly considering getting ART pipes.

I think you might notice a significant difference going from short tails to the HKS. Short tails seem pretty loud and the HKS is tame until you put your foot down. I was thinking ART pipes to wake it up a little bit and they also seem more reliable than HFC's which I also considered.

Yeah, I'm thinking the stock cats are more of a choking point than the stock intake is, so will most likely go that route. Though I'm still not 100% certain.

"boost"

The stock intakes are perfectly fine from what I've been looking at. The changing out the cats will for sure help more with the air flow. Each day I consider buying ART pipes more and more. :yum:

No... No boost this time around. Just sticking to all motor.


I've kind of come up with the same conclusion from the reading I've done. I'm still going to do a full CAI at some point, but may actually do the upper and lower manifolds before that once the exhaust is done (keeping stock exhaust manifolds). I think there's more gains to be had from the upper and lower than from the CAI.

Does anyone else have anything to add?

Been said already , either HFC's or TP's I went HFC's because I have to pass emissions in MA, plus TP's are loud IMO.

I'm sitting on my HKS exhaust and concluded that I will go with ART pipes. I considered intakes before, but I will keep them stock until I am ready for a tune. I'm choosing ART pipes over HFC or test pipes because they seem to be the least likely to throw a CEL. I won't pass emissions in CA anyways with either route so I'm going all out. :)

Plus, from what I've been researching, it looks like the HKS with ART pipes will have the least rasp with any other combo of HFC or test pipes. It may not be as loud as the other options but it will have a more refined, throaty sound. They will still open up and be loud when you want them to like when push it or downshift.

Just theoretically speaking on what I am hoping for this combo to do through my research at least. If you happen to install them before mine, let me know lol :tiphat:

Going G3 makes the system incrementally better. Going TP removes the Asthma from our cars.

Even if the gains are identical between the two, TP still gives you more enjoyment in sound (if much louder is your thing). I say the better bang for buck goes to TP.

HFC's!!!!

You think I should go with the HFC's vs the Motordyne TP's? Any reason why?