Top Speed Exhaust (Resonator) vs. Invidia Gemini

TBSS2008

I recently purchased a Top Speed Y Pipe + Top Speed Exhaust because my Invidia Gemini had some issues with the resonator. When the exhaust shop pulled off the Invidia it became clear why the exhaust was making such terrible vibration noises at certain rpms. Both Resonators had cracked factory welds to the exhaust pipe right after the cats. Basically the exhaust was degrading quickly (Resonator Factory Welds not holding up). I had put 30k hard miles on it. I am glad I purchased a replacement exhaust after seeing the condition my Invidia was in, did not want to have an exhaust I constantly need to have patched.

Top Speed Installation Review:
Both the Top Speed Y Pipe and Exhaust look top notch and very well packed from shipping. The installer did have to put in two washers under the cross member so the exhaust would clear the cross member. I also had him install a hose clamp over the rubber exhaust hanger to raise the exhaust off the cross member, which worked great. You’ve got to love this forum for tricks like that. I found it in another tread for a Stillen Exhaust install tips and tricks. I have not heard of other Top Speed Exhaust owners having issues with cross member. So this may be just an installation issue or maybe the Top Speed Y pipe has a different angle causing the exhaust to sit too low?

Sound Comparison:
The Top Speed exhaust sounds great! It has a higher pitch tone then the Invidia which was deeper but less pronounced. The Top Speed does have more volume to it but it does not drone at all. It’s still breaking in I’ve only had it on my Z a few hours now so I think the tone will get a little deeper and volume a bit louder. I don’t think this exhaust is too loud. The lack or drone is probably why the volume is so tolerable. When cruising not under load it has nice quite throaty rumble to it. But when you lay into it WOW my Z comes to life I Love it!

Performance:
I did not have the car dyno’d so this just my butt dyno talking. But I think the power is pretty close at this point. However I need to reset my ECU and put some more miles on the car to really see if there is a noticeable gain. I definitely did not loose any power with this exhaust car pulls hard!

Overall I am a very happy customer. I will be putting on my flame suit for this next comment, but I like the Top Speed Exhaust better then the Invidia. I am basing this on Sound, build quality, and price (Which is close). Time will tell how well the Top Speed Exhaust holds up but I can tell you that the Invidia Gemini did not hold up well with only 30,000 miles on it.

UPDATE
I have put some more miles on the Top Speed exhaust and can tell you it is A LOT louder then the Invidia Gemini. The Invidia was quite most the time unless you are getting into it. You can always tell the Top Speed is back there exhaust note is noticeable even cruising then WOT holy Sh** it really screams. The Top Speed exhaust will draw attention to your Z the Invidia Gemini is for those who want to hear the exhaust but stay under the radar. I like it loud the Top Speed exhaust is about as loud as I would go.

Attached Images

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2011 Black Corvette Grand Sport 6spd | NNP Daul Mode Exhaust
2008 Trail Blazer SS Black | SuperChips Tune
2009 370Z Black 7AT Touring Sport (TRADED)

ddvette9

+1 for Topspeed. Had the system for over 8 months now and love it

Kastley85891

Running TS now but had the INVIDIA a while back, my vote goes with TS and a Y everytime.

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Boosted V8 hunter
2850 lbs and 375WHP

TBSS2008

I have few miles on the new Top Speed exhaust so I updated the tread. I love the aggressive sound my Z makes now but wanted to info others it is a lot louder then the Invidia. So don’t go this route if you are looking for a subtle exhaust note, this thing screams at WOT I love it!

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2011 Black Corvette Grand Sport 6spd | NNP Daul Mode Exhaust
2008 Trail Blazer SS Black | SuperChips Tune
2009 370Z Black 7AT Touring Sport (TRADED)

Urbanracer

Thanks for the review, any chance we could get a sound clip of yours, I'm trying to decide between these two systems. I'm hearing alot of good things about the TS exhaust.

Red__Zed

glad you're enjoying it.

SPOHN

Tomorrow I'll be wrapping my exhaust with heat wrap to keep the rubbing down on the bracing. I didn't want to run spacers/ washers for I already have scrap marks on it.

I didn't have this issue till I removed my silencers. I guess all the extra released back pressure caused more flex in the pipes. Only thing I could come up with. Unless the exhaust hangers are wearing some.

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daisuke149

hrmm. have you tried to loosen the bolts, then hold it up away from the brace as you tighten it down?

I've beent through 4 exhausts and none of them were hitting the brace.

SPOHN

I've tried it all. This happen on my 350 with the same exhaust also. It's not really an issue though.

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gaveup

Weird. I have an Invidia Gemini with TP and it honestly is loud as hell.

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2010 Magnetic Black Metallic 370Z 6M
stillen gen 3 CAI - topspeed test pipes - invidia gemini CBE - UpRev tune
301whp (HP Logic Mustang Dyno)