New Exhaust "DING"

simul8r

3 weeks ago I had the Nismo R-Tune exhaust installed, and I know that metal expands when hot; however, there is a loud "ding" that happens about every 15-20 seconds after the exhaust is hot. The ding can only be heard while at idle or when stopped, not while driving.

I'm just wondering if other aftermarket CBE units do the same thing, and also if the noise eventually goes away or just fades to a not-as-noticeable level after the system is more seasoned.

I've had the exhaust inspected by the shop that did the install and everything is copacetic, but it's a tad annoying when your car sounds like a ticking bomb in the parking lot of Lowe's.

NorthStyle

Can't say that mine makes any noises other than once the car is shut off and the metal starts to cool back down.

simul8r

Yeah, I don't get the normal little cooling off ticks... just the loud ding for several minutes.

SouthArk370Z

Is it making the same ding when cooling down? If so, I'd start snugging up flange bolts, clamps, etc.

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simul8r

It is making the same sound on cool down. All bolts/hardware/gaskets are good--thank you for the suggestion.

I listened to it for several minutes when I got home today and it sounds like something in one of the muffler cans. I called the shop that installed it and they're going to look at it Monday morning. I'll report back with the findings.

simul8r

Figured I'd post an update even though there's not much to report. The shop spent 3 hours trying to locate the "ding" and isolated it to the intermediate pipe. They reinforced every single weld on the damn pipe and also on the axle-backs. Nothing changed.

My next stop to is contact Z1 and see what they say about a return/refund/exhange.

Cyber370

Personally what I would do now is the opposite. I’d slightly loosen up all the flange bolts and see if that helps. Drive it around a while and if the sound is no longer there, then I’d snug everything up while the exhaust is still hot.


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simul8r

I'll give that a shot--at this point, it can't hurt. Thanks!

CRiZO

I think we're all glancing over the fact you got the R-tune exhaust. You like other than this?

nizzan4u2nv

Still have stock cats? Ive seen oem cats make that sound because of the expanding and contracting within the fiberglass lined heat shields.

simul8r

Yes, other than this issue, I am very happy with the exhaust. The note is aggressive under throttle but peaceful in the cabin. You can probably get the same results with the Invidia Gemini for a few hundred less though. I sincerely doubt Nissan actually built this exhaust, rather they sourced it out and had them stamp "Nismo" and "Z34" everywhere.

The only thing to note visually is that the tips are small and came nowhere close to filling up the Nismo ('15+) cutouts.

simul8r

No. I have AAM resonated HFCs and I had them installed for about 2 months prior to installing the R-Tune system without any issues.

simul8r

The "ding" turned out to be a blown weld inside one of the resonators. The shop still had my stock midpipe so they just cut and pasted the old into the new and the annoyance, along with everyone's frustration, is gone.

Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions, you guys rock.

CRiZO

Glad you figured it out, no idea how you found it.

Pretty lame a Nismo part has quality issues.

simul8r

We just kept listening and finally isolated the issue. There are only so many components that can fail and the one that had the most pieces/parts is the most likely culprit. It was a giant PITA getting there though.

You'd think Nissan would be all over QA with something getting their top-of-the-line branding, but crap happens and there's always a solution.