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Cai or exhaust

Which one would be your first mod?

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Old 04-07-2010, 06:13 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Default Cai or exhaust

Which one would be your first mod?
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Old 04-07-2010, 06:19 PM   #2 (permalink)
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CBE is generally much more expensive to upgrade than CAI. HFCs are generally a little less expensive compared to Intakes.

CBE has higher gains and will be noticeable at all RPMs. HFCs show very good gains as a "first mod", also noitceable at all RPMs. Intakes show great gains at the higher RPMs, but only small gains at lower RPMs.

Cosmetically, CBE and CAI both look good, depending on the manufacturer. HFCs have zero cosmetic benefit.


I would always choose the CBE if I had the money. HFCs if I wasn't looking to spend a lot.
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Old 04-07-2010, 06:19 PM   #3 (permalink)
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I would do exhaust just for better sound IMO.
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Old 04-07-2010, 06:21 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Aftermarket Exhaust makes the 370z sound like a z and not a Lexus.
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Old 04-07-2010, 06:23 PM   #5 (permalink)
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CBE first...followed SHORTLY by intake.
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Old 04-07-2010, 06:24 PM   #6 (permalink)
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bang for buck? go with some HFCs.
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Old 04-07-2010, 06:36 PM   #7 (permalink)
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I actually would go with the Cold air intakes first. At least with the stillen gen 3 intakes (one i have on my car) I noticed a big difference in engine sound and performance, but when I put the new exhaust on (fast intentions with test pipes) I cant here the intake at ALL anymore lol exhaust is too loud. SO go with the cai first, its cheaper, you will be VERY happy with the improved sound, enjoy it for a lil while, then get an exhaust. If you go the other way around, you will end up buying an exhaust, love the sound, then buy the cai, and wont notice anything and feel like you just blew 500 bucks. But if you buy cai first, you will be like DAMN! that was worth 500 bucks, then when you add exhaust on top, you will be like DAYYYUMMMNN I just made something awesome even better.

Just my .2 cents
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Old 04-07-2010, 07:05 PM   #8 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fatcat777 View Post
bang for buck? go with some HFCs.
This is the truth!
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Old 04-07-2010, 07:15 PM   #9 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Reaper42 View Post
I actually would go with the Cold air intakes first. At least with the stillen gen 3 intakes (one i have on my car) I noticed a big difference in engine sound and performance, but when I put the new exhaust on (fast intentions with test pipes) I cant here the intake at ALL anymore lol exhaust is too loud. SO go with the cai first, its cheaper, you will be VERY happy with the improved sound, enjoy it for a lil while, then get an exhaust. If you go the other way around, you will end up buying an exhaust, love the sound, then buy the cai, and wont notice anything and feel like you just blew 500 bucks. But if you buy cai first, you will be like DAMN! that was worth 500 bucks, then when you add exhaust on top, you will be like DAYYYUMMMNN I just made something awesome even better.

Just my .2 cents

+100 to what he said
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Old 04-07-2010, 07:17 PM   #10 (permalink)
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HFC's best bang for the buck hands down, G3's will pick up power, but much higher in the RPM band than a CBE or HFC setup. If you have the coin, CBE or HFC will net you better power throughout the power band.
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Old 04-07-2010, 08:18 PM   #11 (permalink)
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CBE, look at the dynos from the differernt companies, they make 20+ hp and give great sound. Also note that the first exhaust mod you do will result the most gains,, and then thereafter the exhaust mods will only net a few more. How much duckies you got to spend?
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Old 04-07-2010, 08:41 PM   #12 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Red370 View Post
HFC's best bang for the buck hands down, G3's will pick up power, but much higher in the RPM band than a CBE or HFC setup. If you have the coin, CBE or HFC will net you better power throughout the power band.
Do HFCs make your exhaust louder (obnoxious)?
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Old 04-07-2010, 08:42 PM   #13 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by djpathfinder View Post
Do HFCs make your exhaust louder (obnoxious)?
No, it will great a deeper tone a bit but it more so amplifies the stock sound.
I have heard it and it is nice, but I love my exhaust more.
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Old 04-07-2010, 08:46 PM   #14 (permalink)
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CBE, get that great look from the rear and makes the exhaust sound much more like a sports car. Also, why waste money on intakes when you're only going to replace it with intercooler piping in the future? Oh wait, I guess not everyone is going to go that route...
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Old 04-07-2010, 08:53 PM   #15 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by theDreamer View Post
No, it will great a deeper tone a bit but it more so amplifies the stock sound.
I have heard it and it is nice, but I love my exhaust more.
It will make your exhaust sound a bit louder, but it sounds beautiful, racey even. I got my Berks for $300 and added 15whp, you will NEVER see that kinda bang for the buck anywhere.
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