My ongoing Invidia Gemini exhaust review
 

:ninja3:

UPDATED 4/24/2011

Took some in car vids... been a little over a week now driving her. Nothing but compliments from folks who have seen it and heard it in person. Buddy of mine ended up buying an invidia CBE as well, for his 2011 STi. I loaded some in-car vids below. Enjoy.









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Well, I've owned the car for 550 miles or so now, so I figured it's time to upgrade that stock exhaust. That is just wayyyyy too quiet for me. I had a stock G35c who's exhaust was way sexier than the new 370 stock exhaust. My car is currently stock, and will only have this CBE mod for now... For me, the sound is the biggest mod I need right now. Am still content with the rest of the stock set up in the entire car.

So anyways, after doing tons of research, and reading all the posts/threads on this forum, and tons of youtube watching... I decided on the Invidia Gemini with Ti rolled tips. I found a great deal on them, and I figured, for bang for buck in terms of quality, performance, and sound... these can't be beat. Thank you to all of you on this forum who helped answer my many questions. I hope this thread helps all of you others out there who are thinking about getting this exhaust.

I haven't done the install yet, doing it tomorrow, but I was just too excited to wait till after the install to post a thread. I will simply update this thread as I finish it tomorrow, and review it as ongoing, within the next few days/weeks.

Onto the pics/videos...

Of course we have to start with the stock setup. Here's a few pics of the stock set up, including a sound clip of it. I might take another video tomorrow of the stock set up before I take it off...

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...630NoPlate.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...627NoPlate.jpg




So, after ordering on Tuesday and anxiously watching the UPS website for tracking upates, I see this on my front porch after coming home from work!!!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...l/DSC_0916.jpg

My kid was even more anxious than I was... he probably thought it was a toy for him. Soon son, Zena will be all yours :)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...l/DSC_0919.jpg

It was nicely wrapped (foam removed in this pic below) and tucked in...

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...l/DSC_0921.jpg

Some closeups of those gorgeous 4" burnt Ti tips. These really do look awesome in person. I'm glad I went with these over the SS ones. I was impressed with the quality of these tips and how they were fabbed. The Invidia etching was added eye candy... a nice touch. I wonder how they will look installed??? will know tomorrow!!! :excited:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...l/DSC_0923.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...l/DSC_0924.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...l/DSC_0925.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...l/DSC_0926.jpg

I unpacked everything and lined everything up for tomorrow's shindig... I was really impressed with the quality of the welds, and really how light everything was.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...l/DSC_0927.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...l/DSC_0929.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...l/DSC_0930.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...l/DSC_0931.jpg

That's all for now! I'll update this thread tomorrow pm/evening for post-install thoughts and comments. Till then, good night and thanks for reading.

:ninja3:

UPDATE: 4/16/2011

After a long busy morning of excitement, frustration, wishful thinking, more frustration, and finally, satisfaction.... My installation is finally complete.

The procedure was pretty straight forward... but removing the bolts was a PITA. One nut/bolt in particular, connecting the y pipe to the mid section stripped on me... so we had to cut it off using my dremel tool and cutting disks. So after about 40 minutes of swearing, sparks in my face (I had safety glasses on), and numerous cuts and bruises from banging fingers and elbows underneath the car, I got that sucker off.:ughdance: Many thanks to my buddy Mike for the help today... I really appreciate it. Would have taken me all day had you not helped ;)

As far as the Invidia install itself... THAT was a breeze... I stand by my earlier statement that the pieces themselves were very well manufactured, and the fitment was SUPERB. It took us 40 minutes from start to finish of actuall CBE installation (vs over 3 hours for the stupid stock exhaust removal). We nary had to move the alignment at all. It was all lined up.

Post-install and first start up, I was grinning ear to ear to ear to ear. It sounded sooooooooooooo good. I had my buddy start it up too and myself listen and video record it and it sounded so much more aggressive. This was how our Z's were supposed to sound from the factory. It was cloudy and just rained this morning, but I still took her out for a drive... with the windows down. Pure satisfaction. No drone. No rasp. Just a pure authoritative "sporty" sounding exhaust... esp when past 3k rpm. The burnt titanium tips look awesome on white too... I am very pleased with the results overall.:tiphat:

Thank you to Jomer at FBNissan for the purchase and to wheee!, Red_Zed, and djpathfinder for all your help. I am now a member of the Invidia club ;) I will update this thread with what I think of the exhaust after few days/weeks of driving... once I get off my Z "high" right now :)

Some pics and vids for comparison (see above for comparison to stock).

Thanks for looking! :happydance: now, I'm off for a drive!!!:driving:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...l/DSC_0932.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...l/DSC_0933.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...l/DSC_0934.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...l/DSC_0935.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...l/DSC_0937.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...l/DSC_0942.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...l/DSC_0947.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...949noplate.jpg

Looks and sound great. I have had the exhaust for quite a bit of time and am still loving it. Congrats!

Thanks for the write up, I'm looking at potentially getting one of these for my nismo.

Thanks for your review man!!! Im looking to get a CBE soon, duno which brand, i was prolly gonna go with F.I.

The Gemini smokes like a chimney the first ten miles, someone behind me must have thought I had 200K on the Z.

Thanks man! Glad to hear you are still loving it. How many miles have you driven her now with the Gemini on it?

Thank you! Rep points would be appreciated :) Does the Gemini fit the Nismo set up as well? Was just wondering if hangars are located in same spots?

Thank you. Rep points would be appreciated too :)

I was also looking at F.I., but the cost was a little too high for me... I had to convince the wife that she let me get this for Father's day :happydance:


Yes, I did notice that upon start up and first few miles. How long does it last? I know it's just burning up residue from the manufacturer.

I just got back from another drive... I've driven her 3 separate times since finishing the install at around lunch today. Just wayyyyy too much fun now. It was 40 deg's out today, but I didn't care, I lowered my windows just to hear it. I can still hear it with windows up, but it sounds different with windows down, more so if you were a passerby.

Maybe I should do an in car video and then a drive by??? hmmmmm

looks good man. You didn't happen to weight the system before install did you?

Ah crap... sorry Red... I didn't get a chance to. You mean the new gemini CBE right? The shipping weight did say 75 lbs. So I reckon, with the box, plastic, and foam, you're looking at 10 lbs for everything? (that's a big heavy carboard box). So, exhaust is maybe 65?

Glad you like it too! :driving:

Yeah, hopefully I'll catch whoever gets the next one. Glad to hear you are enjoying the system.

Thanks guys.... thanks for both your recommendations. I still have to burn off the manufacturer's fab innards from throughout the muffler. Am guessing a couple more drives, it will be gone.

Looks good with rolled tips, I was really considering rolled but decided on the single wall. I installed mine two months ago and had the SAME exact problem with that damn bolt(cut it as well). I agree with you on the quality of the exhaust because overall it is pretty good. However, I found it heavier than expected. I believe that if it is lighter than stock, its not by much, but it sure sounds good. The sounds is very clean deeper than stock.

Thanks buddy... So you fubarred that bolt too? It was just very surprising. It was one of the bolts connecting the y pipe to the mid section. I mean it was my fault, for not getting the socket square on the nut... but still.... damn.... that was WAYYYYYYYYYYY more than 40 ft lbs from the DIY here that I read. More like 100 ft lbs or more.... damn... and my car only had less than 600 miles total, and has NEVER seen rain, so the underbody was clean as day.

As far as the weight of the system... someone posted on page 1 with the same question.... so I know shipping weight total was 75 lbs... so minus all the packing including box, I'm thinking no greater than 65 lbs for the total exhaust only items? Is that bad? What's a GOOD weight? I thought it was pretty light!

And yes the sound..... oh yesssss.... Love it. However, been raining here, so haven't driven it since Sunday :( Not till tomorrow....

UPDATED 4/24/2011

Took some in car vids... been a little over a week now driving her. Nothing but compliments from folks who have seen it and heard it in person. Buddy of mine ended up buying an invidia CBE as well, for his 2011 STi. I loaded some in-car vids below. Enjoy.

Nice vids!

Thanks Red... since I only have 700 miles on her, I still can't open her up :shakes head: So the vids show me only revving it up to a little over 4k rpm. Can't wait till I reach 1100 miles...

I just bought my Z a couple of weeks ago and I'm trying to figure out what exhaust to get. I had an Invidia Q300 on my S2000 and loved the sound but it did get a little annoying when on the interstate (not from drone but just because of the deep sound). From listening to your videos it sounds like the Invidia CBE is pretty quiet in the Z with the windows rolled up and just cruising along. Is this correct? I'm wanting an exhaust that sounds good when getting on the gas but quiet in the car when just cruising along.

The Gemini is an updated Q300, designed to reduce that sound on the highway:tup:

Naturally, the two motors sound different, but if you liked the Q300 on the S, you will likely enjoy the Gemini on the Z.

There's a lot of road and engine noise in the cabin, even in stock form. The Z is definitely not quiet inside. However, when you tromp on it with the Invidia exhaust, you do get a very rewarding deep throaty muscular sound.

:iagree: Like I stated before... I love mine. Gets throaty when stomped on... but great for cruising.

Compared to the S2000 the Z is quiet inside! the Invidia sounds like what I'm looking for, thanks for the input guys!

You sir, are also hereby obliged to post pics/details of the installation and post-installation ;) Good luck!

Give me a few months, still breaking in the car and trying to sell the Invidia off my S2000.

Okay, I've finally made up my mind (especially after reading/seeing this) on which exhaust system I should get. I love the tips! You think they would look good on a platinum graphite? Thinking about getting an evo-r rear diffuser in flat black to compliment it.

I Think it looks good on any color. If you can, please weigh the system before install.

do u feel a power difference after installing the invidia gemini?

To be perfectly honest, it's very slight, barely noticeable. Could just be mental, but I feel it more in the upper revs... very slight. I would expect that for a 5-10whp bump, right?

Still, I get distracted by the addicting burble sound anyways ;) I really got mine for the sound more than performance. I just couldn't stand the Chewbacca OEM sound.

I am so ready to chamge out my exhaust I'm in the same boat as you don't really care about the performance that much I just want that sound! Did you throw any codes, were you able to use the oe o2 sensors?

im with you on that. i want the sound and if it comes with a pony or two then great. btwn my cai and exhaust im good to go. do most people with a cb and cai get a tune or is it not necessary?

A tune is not mandatory, but it will optimize your setup, including squeezing out extra performance (averaging 10 HP on the top end and increased low and mid-range torque), and improved your A/F ratios.

How hard was the install on this? If you don't do it yourself...how much to get it installed at a shop?

I think this is the exhaust I want. I'm a fan of its deep note and TI tip. However if I had enough money to spare, my preference would be for the Amuse TI. This Gemini, though, looks sexy and sounds amazing. Thanks for writing up the review.

I did the install myself with a buddy. Took us about 5 hrs but should have been 3 or less (we broke a bolt out of my stupidity). Skip the shop.

Thx man. Been 2600 miles later and I love it more. Rep points appreciated ;)

You got it :tup:

figure 2 hours of labor for the install. it is easy to do yourself though

I actually just finished installing the Berk system. The exhaust part was cake...the HFC is a different story. So much so that I couldn't change out the driver's side...so now I have a Berk HFC on the passenger side and the stock cat on the driver's side lol. I have an appointment with an exhaust shop to get it installed. Just gotta drive it around like this for now.

Planning to order mine tomorrow! I'm still trying to decide between the stainless or Ti tips :confused:

Not sure who you are ordering it from but you may want to check with Jomer from fred bean nissan (FBnissan). Great service and even better pricing esp when bundling parts.