CNT cat back review w/ video
 

Purchase/shipping:wanted to buy a new exhaust and was choosing between the top speed pro 1 and CNT cat back. i decided to go with the the cnt cat back exhaust on july 25th because i had seen a good write up or two on them. it was delivered to my front door by july 30th (5 days:tup:). packaging was great and everthing seemed to be bundled up nicely. all gaskets, hardware, pipes, and tips were wrapped/boxed seperately. this is what it looked like after i pulled everything outta the box:

http://www.the370z.com/members/edub3...-4956841-n.jpg
(cans on the wrong sides)


10 out of 10 for packaging



Installation: installing it was a breeze. it was actually easy enough that i could do it on my garage floor, by myself, with some jack stands and blocks without much trouble. all you need is a 13,15, and 10mm socket and about 2 hours of time. everything fit nicely and i never ran into any snags. (side note: welds and quality on this exhaust are AWESOME. how such an inexpensive exhausts maintains such amazing quality is beyond me!).adjustable tips ftw!

http://www.the370z.com/members/edub3...5-325256-n.jpg


(welds are great!)

fit and finish: 10 out of 10



Sound: now i already have test pipes so this might be somewhat louder than anyone who is runnig stock cats or hfc's, but it still stayed pretty mellow, nice "stock-like" tone when cruising, but when you put your foot into it, it REALLY opens up and sounds great. gives it a great howl, but not overpowering and takes all that nasty rasp out and replaces it with that great vq burble. Also, my butt dyno indicates a lot more pull up top. this motor really wants to rev when you get that restrictive stock system off.


cnt cat back with test pipes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK9x16xDtlg


Sound: 10 out of 10



Great bang for you buck system. CNT is a great company to deal with, and all my emails or questions were returned within the day i sent them. plus you really cant beat 5 day shipping on a 72 lb package from cali to kc. go fedex! couldn't be happier with the system and would recommened anyone looking for a catback, no matter what the budget, look into this system. Now its uprev time!

I'd like to know what sort of power it makes... it's a nice looking system. Congrats on it!

Does anyone have a dyno run on this system yet? Seems like a good product for a low price, but I would like to see if it makes some extra h.p. or not.

I think there's a few on youtube, but the ones i've seen don't have a baseline, and they're with other mods.

Sounds and looks good...you should have done a youtube comparo with the short tails on.

Hah. My phone would have exploded trying to pick up the amount of noise those short tails put out

anyone with the CNT exhaust have an aftermarket sway bar?

Some people looked down on this catback just because it was cheap but it really is a great catback. For the price and quality... you cannot beat it. I love my CNT exhaust.

this is a good question. i know you would be pushin it to fit an aftermarket sway bar in there with this exhaust

exactly.

How much louder than stock is this? Does it drone at all?

Not much louder at all at idle. Zero drone. But when u go wot it really opens up. Remember, my car has test pipes in this vid too

Really wish i would have done more research before i bought the "stupid" AAM Short Tails.. for about $200 more i could have gotten this.

I'm ordering this catback as we speak and hopefully it is what i seek in terms of sound out of the car. The AAMs sounded awesome with the windows down and spirited driving but droned the hell out of my cabin with the windows closed and crusing around that it actually gave me severe head aches.. I want something a little bit deeper and louder than stock but without the droning and annoyances. This catback seems to fit the bill just right! Will post back when i get it and then take it to a shop to have it installed. maybe in the next 2 weeks. Hopefully this exhaust gets more attention since it fits the price just right and the sound (in the video) is awesome.

from a guy who went from having short tails (for 15 min lol) to having the cnt, u will be about 10239482347 times happier with the cnt. plus u aren't getting completely ripped of for price with this system (*cough* aam)....

Saw this and how cheap it was and I kind of sat there like, "Naaaah it can't be...". Glad you've been happy with it, and hope to hear a bit more from others once they come in! If I could save myself a couple hundred dollars and really not sacrifice much in terms of quality I'd be ecstatic.

Looks great.

Just got a brand new shipment in let me know anyone need one.

Wow you're right, those resonators really do their job well... I'm really surprised with the little amount of rasp in the video

they really do. considering i am running straight tp's as well

Pretty happy with mine. Running with ART pipes- zero rasp. Tone is very controlled but aggressive @ wot. Good for a daily driver.

Of course, you have the issues with it clearing the rear sway, but just ended up wrapping it and called it a day.

Oh what that's with non resonated test pipes? Holy crap lol..

@cheshirecat do you mind posting a sound clip of yours with the ART pipes? :)

i'll see if i can take a decent video soon. tropical storm rolling through right now so too much wind to get anything other than an in-cabin.

I also might be able to get another vid today. I know i already have one, but there still aren't many vids online if this system

Thread necro.

Realized i never got around to updating this post with dyno numbers. See sig for numbers. (pulls done with tp's, injen intake, and tune.

So while I had the car up in the air to do camber arms, I figured I'd follow up with a long term review of this exhaust since it seems we don't get too many long term tests on aftermarket parts. After about 5 years about 20k miles it has held up fantastically. I couldn't expect any more from an aftermarket system, much less a $600 one. The tone has changed slightly. It's a little more on the raspy side, but not much more volume. I have only seen a tiny bit of surface rust on the hangers but none on the rest of the system (welds included). It hasn't developed any rattles or leaks, and the fitment is still spot on.

here's some pics of it's current condition

http://www.the370z.com/members/edub3...-200819698.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/edub3...-201154272.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/edub3...-201020333.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/edub3...-201514899.jpg


here's the small bit of surface rust i've spotted
http://www.the370z.com/members/edub3...-201229565.jpg

honestly i'd still recommend this system for anyone wanting a good exhaust on a budget. this is still one of my favorite mods and i have no plans to change it any time soon.

PSA: keep your exhausts clean and polished and any system can last you a long time

Wow thanks for the follow-up !

I had one on my 2011 (RIP) and I still miss it. The previous owner of the '13 had already put an Invidia exhaust so I didn't see any reason to change it out... but I liked the CNT more.

Thanks for the follow up review edub370. I have just ordered this (accidentally with blue tips, oh well) and look forward to installing and hearing!

It wil be interesting to see how this sounds with my Berk HFCs. Previously I had Top Speed axle backs and it was just to loud in the cabin...maybe similar to your short tails scenario. Really hoping this is nice for a DD.

Posting your experience with this has been helpful. :tiphat:

How are you liking your CNT cbe? any issues ? Was planning on getting the Invidia but heard those are on the quite side so Im considering getting the CNT. Let me know Thanks

Yup, I'm digging this setup. Good sound, zero drone, beautiful materials and finish, easy install.

Will you be happy? I don't know. You really have to hear this stuff in person. Sound clips just don't work. Keep in mind, if you have (or don't) test pipes or high flow cats that can significantly affect the cat back sound too.

CNT is local to you, aren't they? I thought they were in the DFW area. Maybe they can help?

Thanks for the feedback, I checked out the CNT site, seems like their located in Hayward CA. I believe Top Speed is here in Dallas.

And I do have a Berk resonated test pipe waiting for a CBE, So hopefully thatll fit nice with the CNT.

Yup, i mixed thing up a bit. I used to have the Top Speed axle back so that's why I was thinking Dallas.

Good luck with everything and if i can help, pm me.

2020 update. (9 years in)

Exhaust is still great. i have FINALLY gotten a bit of a rattle. i imagine its something in the baffling. i can only hear it in the cold at higher rpm's on decel. other than that, the finish has held up great, and nothing but positive things to say about it

http://www.the370z.com/members/edub3...101-093030.jpg

update 10/12/20.

Sold exhaust to a new local buyer. no quality issues throughout the almost decade of ownership. Only reason for changing was to move to the Greddy Evo system which i have been drooling over for a long time now