F.I. Exhaust vs F.I. Test pipes

Charles370 · 07-19-2014, 04:14 PM

This is my first post and I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this. I bought my Z about 6 months ago and it already had a fast intentions CBE and test pipes, a 25 row oil cooler and the stillen G3 intake. I obviously want to get all my mods put on before I get it all tuned up.
I'm about to install an underdrive pulley, but I was wondering what you guys thought about dropping the test pipe and stock headers and switching them out for long tube headers before the tune. Do you guys think that the cost of the headers and install will be worth the little bit of horsepower you gain or should I just keep the test pipes?
I understand the sound would be better and there would no longer be any raspiness but I'm just looking at a sheer horsepower outlook.

Arrvaxx · 07-19-2014, 04:48 PM

I'll let the experts have the final say but if you already have test pipes I can't imagine LTH would give you anything worth the effort...unless you do the work yourself and enjoy it. On the other hand if you want every single bit of HP you can get; period. Then sure.

I also don't think the underdrive pulley is worth the effort either. I scaled -published- company dynos and you can see that what HP gains they advertise are real...at the very top of RPMs. Down the line; zero.

So test pipes, F.I. cat back, and Stillen Gen 3s...move on to forced induction or things like coil overs and sway bars; IMHO.

And post some pics!

F.I. Inc. · 07-20-2014, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles370

This is my first post and I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this. I bought my Z about 6 months ago and it already had a fast intentions CBE and test pipes, a 25 row oil cooler and the stillen G3 intake. I obviously want to get all my mods put on before I get it all tuned up.
I'm about to install an underdrive pulley, but I was wondering what you guys thought about dropping the test pipe and stock headers and switching them out for long tube headers before the tune. Do you guys think that the cost of the headers and install will be worth the little bit of horsepower you gain or should I just keep the test pipes?
I understand the sound would be better and there would no longer be any raspiness but I'm just looking at a sheer horsepower outlook.

Congrats on the recent purchase and congrats on the goodies it already had!

The headers will outperform the test pipes across the board. The substantial gains are noticeable in the low end and mid range. A nice torque increase as well. The gap will close (to an extent) in the higher rpm range. All of this said, since you already have what you have on the car, I would leave it be. It does not seem advantageous for you to take it all off and spend a lot of money to be slightly better than you are. Don't get me wrong, I love what our headers bring to the table...They are just in another league in cost for parts & install vs. the test pipes.

Hope that this was useful.

Thanks.
-Tony

Charles370 · 07-20-2014, 10:25 AM

Thanks guys it did help a lot, and I guess I have to start saving money for some F.I. Turbos lol. I do think it is very cool to see the company themselves actually comment on this, makes it feel like I can trust F.I. and that they actually care So thank you Tony. But I heard some people say that they felt better throttle response from the pulley and feels better shifting so that's why I'm putting it in.

aszyd · 07-20-2014, 11:58 AM

If you can do your own install, the pulley is a no brainer. I'm not sure I would pay to have it installed though. My butt dyno was happy with the result, but that could have just been in my head. Follow the pulley up with a lighter flywheel and the car will come alive.

Charles370 · 07-20-2014, 12:24 PM

Yeah I'm going to install it with a friend. No way am I'm going to have someone install a pulley for me

mag_black · 07-20-2014, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F.I. Inc.

Congrats on the recent purchase and congrats on the goodies it already had!

The headers will outperform the test pipes across the board. The substantial gains are noticeable in the low end and mid range. A nice torque increase as well. The gap will close (to an extent) in the higher rpm range. All of this said, since you already have what you have on the car, I would leave it be. It does not seem advantageous for you to take it all off and spend a lot of money to be slightly better than you are. Don't get me wrong, I love what our headers bring to the table...They are just in another league in cost for parts & install vs. the test pipes.

Hope that this was useful.

Thanks.
-Tony

Posts like these are what makes me respect you guys. Pure honesty.

Arrvaxx · 07-20-2014, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mag_black

Posts like these are what makes me respect you guys. Pure honesty.

Stole my post.

djtodd · 07-21-2014, 05:30 PM

If you want a marked increase in throttle response, get a light flywheel. That, plus a tune makes a world of difference.

07-19-2014, 04:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Charles370 Base Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Long Island Posts: 30 Drives: 2010 370z sport Rep Power: 12	F.I. Exhaust vs F.I. Test pipes This is my first post and I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this. I bought my Z about 6 months ago and it already had a fast intentions CBE and test pipes, a 25 row oil cooler and the stillen G3 intake. I obviously want to get all my mods put on before I get it all tuned up. I'm about to install an underdrive pulley, but I was wondering what you guys thought about dropping the test pipe and stock headers and switching them out for long tube headers before the tune. Do you guys think that the cost of the headers and install will be worth the little bit of horsepower you gain or should I just keep the test pipes? I understand the sound would be better and there would no longer be any raspiness but I'm just looking at a sheer horsepower outlook.

07-19-2014, 04:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
Arrvaxx A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Whore Island, MN Posts: 1,243 Drives: 40th F.I. Twin Turbo Rep Power: 18	I'll let the experts have the final say but if you already have test pipes I can't imagine LTH would give you anything worth the effort...unless you do the work yourself and enjoy it. On the other hand if you want every single bit of HP you can get; period. Then sure. I also don't think the underdrive pulley is worth the effort either. I scaled -published- company dynos and you can see that what HP gains they advertise are real...at the very top of RPMs. Down the line; zero. So test pipes, F.I. cat back, and Stillen Gen 3s...move on to forced induction or things like coil overs and sway bars; IMHO. And post some pics! Charles370 likes this. __________________ 2010 370Z 40th Anniversary (#480 born 1/19/2010) Fast Intentions Twin Turbo \| Varis Arising II \| Limited Edition Recaro Sportster \| Tuned by Specialty Z \| 604hp 525 torque @14lbs boost on 100 octane Last edited by Arrvaxx; 07-19-2014 at 04:52 PM.

07-20-2014, 10:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
Charles370 Base Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Long Island Posts: 30 Drives: 2010 370z sport Rep Power: 12	Thanks guys it did help a lot, and I guess I have to start saving money for some F.I. Turbos lol. I do think it is very cool to see the company themselves actually comment on this, makes it feel like I can trust F.I. and that they actually care So thank you Tony. But I heard some people say that they felt better throttle response from the pulley and feels better shifting so that's why I'm putting it in. Arrvaxx likes this.

07-20-2014, 11:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
aszyd Track Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 877 Drives: Magma Red 370z T+S Rep Power: 21	If you can do your own install, the pulley is a no brainer. I'm not sure I would pay to have it installed though. My butt dyno was happy with the result, but that could have just been in my head. Follow the pulley up with a lighter flywheel and the car will come alive. __________________ Competition Clutch\|Fast Intentions\|Maxbore\|NST\|Setrab\|Stillen\|Tomei\|Uprev\| Z1 Avant Garde\|SPC\|Stance\|Whiteline Aerojacket\|Seibon\|Tanabe\|TRS\|TWM

07-21-2014, 05:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
djtodd Track Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 932 Drives: 2012 Nismo TT Rep Power: 3398	If you want a marked increase in throttle response, get a light flywheel. That, plus a tune makes a world of difference. __________________ DJTodd's Build Thread Fast Intentions • Volk • Stoptech • Carbotech • SPL • Southbend • OS Giken • RJM • Sparco • RobiSpec • AIM • Driver Mod

07-20-2014, 12:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
Charles370 Base Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Long Island Posts: 30 Drives: 2010 370z sport Rep Power: 12	Yeah I'm going to install it with a friend. No way am I'm going to have someone install a pulley for me

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