F.I. exhaust 12" vs 18" resonators?

VQinside · 04-07-2011, 10:41 PM

I'm sure this has been covered but I couldn't find a comparison between the two options. I'm looking for feedback, from people that has heard them both next to each other. I'm afraid the 18" might be too quiet and the 12" might be too loud. the Z's interior is already a little noisy for cell phone talks so I'm looking for opinions. I don't want to go too quiet or too loud.
has anyone taken decibel readings for both?
I did contact Tony about it but they only have decibel readings for the 12".
thanks for any feedback.

Nikon FM · 04-07-2011, 11:44 PM

The 18" will not be too quiet especially if you accompany it with the test pipes…………….sounds so nice!

VQinside · 04-08-2011, 09:17 AM

I can't do test pipes we have emission testings here.

G37sHKS · 04-08-2011, 09:25 AM

Go with 18"

Keep it simple and nice.

XwChriswX · 04-08-2011, 02:04 PM

If you have emissions testing, you could do HFC's if you want...

The 18's will keep it quiet unless you really get on it. If this is a little too quiet for you, you could look into going with CF cans. These are a little thinner on the walls so they will allow a bit more volume go through and give it a slightly different tone.

If the 12's are too loud, then stick with the 18's. Sounds like you'd rather have it quieter than you want than too loud.

ClemsonWill · 04-08-2011, 02:35 PM

I have the 18s and they are perfect. You can definitely hear them when you get on it.

Fern to the Z · 04-10-2011, 01:58 PM

FI has an option of not having resonators, how is the drone without the resonators, and is there a significant difference in stainless steel muffler vs. carbon fiber other than decrease weight? thanks
Fern to the Z

2ndChance · 04-13-2011, 08:36 PM

I'd like to hear about the non-resonated version as well. Can you still speak in the cabin while driving lets say 40mph windows up?

VQinside · 04-24-2011, 07:43 PM

bump on this, great feedback but I'd like to see more opinions.

christian370z · 04-25-2011, 01:00 AM

I personally have the 12" resonated FI exhaust and find that it is pretty much perfect in terms of sound levels compared to the non resonated and 18" resonated exhaust. I have heard all in person and sometimes, I do wish my exhaust was a bit louder but you can't go wrong with either. I have no rasp with 12" resonators which is a plus in my book!

DIGItonium · 04-25-2011, 01:09 AM

There's no rasp as long as you keep the stock cats. Mine started off with 12" resonators with Berk HFC. Man it rattles office windows, and it can get raspy on a cold start. The difference was night and day when switching back to the stock cats. I ordered the 18" one, but ended up with 12".

04-07-2011, 10:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
VQinside Base Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 109 Drives: 2010 370Z Rep Power: 15	F.I. exhaust 12" vs 18" resonators? I'm sure this has been covered but I couldn't find a comparison between the two options. I'm looking for feedback, from people that has heard them both next to each other. I'm afraid the 18" might be too quiet and the 12" might be too loud. the Z's interior is already a little noisy for cell phone talks so I'm looking for opinions. I don't want to go too quiet or too loud. has anyone taken decibel readings for both? I did contact Tony about it but they only have decibel readings for the 12". thanks for any feedback.

04-07-2011, 11:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
Nikon FM Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Snoqualmie WA Posts: 973 Drives: 03 996TT Porsche Rep Power: 606	The 18" will not be too quiet especially if you accompany it with the test pipes…………….sounds so nice! __________________ Buddy Revell: "One man's sooner is another man's later"

04-08-2011, 02:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
XwChriswX WFLYIDNNE Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: In The Fastlane Posts: 50,648 Drives: 02 GDB WRX Rep Power: 452	If you have emissions testing, you could do HFC's if you want... The 18's will keep it quiet unless you really get on it. If this is a little too quiet for you, you could look into going with CF cans. These are a little thinner on the walls so they will allow a bit more volume go through and give it a slightly different tone. If the 12's are too loud, then stick with the 18's. Sounds like you'd rather have it quieter than you want than too loud. __________________ Bonnie - Stage 2, Audio build coming this fall! R.I.P. Abby 3/29/10 - 3/30/14

04-08-2011, 02:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
ClemsonWill A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 12,045 Drives: a Civic VP! Rep Power: 445	I have the 18s and they are perfect. You can definitely hear them when you get on it. __________________ Slightly modded

04-25-2011, 01:00 AM	#10 (permalink)
christian370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Newport Beach Posts: 3,900 Drives: 2010 370Z/Saab 900se Rep Power: 432	I personally have the 12" resonated FI exhaust and find that it is pretty much perfect in terms of sound levels compared to the non resonated and 18" resonated exhaust. I have heard all in person and sometimes, I do wish my exhaust was a bit louder but you can't go wrong with either. I have no rasp with 12" resonators which is a plus in my book! __________________ -320whp / 259wftlbs- SP Rays -- RE-11s -- SpecialtyZ Tune -- Swift Springs -- Stillen 25R Oil Cooler -- Stillen G3 Intakes -- Berk HFCs -- F.I. 12" CBE -- Stillen Sway Bars -- Es14 Spring -- INGS+1 lip -- CF Spoiler -- GTR Start Button -- VLED Parking Lights -- PWJDM V2 shift knob

04-08-2011, 09:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
VQinside Base Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 109 Drives: 2010 370Z Rep Power: 15	I can't do test pipes we have emission testings here.

04-08-2011, 09:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
G37sHKS A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Dubai Posts: 1,183 Drives: 09 G37S Coupe 7AT Rep Power: 20	Go with 18" Keep it simple and nice.

04-10-2011, 01:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
Fern to the Z Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Far West TX Posts: 151 Drives: 16 PW nismO Tech Rep Power: 14	FI has an option of not having resonators, how is the drone without the resonators, and is there a significant difference in stainless steel muffler vs. carbon fiber other than decrease weight? thanks Fern to the Z

04-13-2011, 08:36 PM	#8 (permalink)
2ndChance Base Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Panama Posts: 240 Drives: like he stole it Rep Power: 199	I'd like to hear about the non-resonated version as well. Can you still speak in the cabin while driving lets say 40mph windows up?

04-24-2011, 07:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
VQinside Base Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 109 Drives: 2010 370Z Rep Power: 15	bump on this, great feedback but I'd like to see more opinions.

04-25-2011, 01:09 AM	#11 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 42	There's no rasp as long as you keep the stock cats. Mine started off with 12" resonators with Berk HFC. Man it rattles office windows, and it can get raspy on a cold start. The difference was night and day when switching back to the stock cats. I ordered the 18" one, but ended up with 12". __________________

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