Which should I get?
 

Thinking of getting FI TDX CBE as my first mod. However unsure how satisfying the sound will be. I like it loud and very noticeable once you put your foot on the gas but quiet when strolling around the neighborhood. Also a lil expensive for me atm, so I was looking to get AAM short tail with test pipes. Does this have the same sound quality? I know I won't get the gains.

AAM short tails = loud AF
Motordyne CBE = Loud AF (sounds awesome though)
FI TDX = supposedly a good combination of louder and livability, but not as loud as other options. W/ test pipes, 12 -18" resonators are recommended to reduce drone. All from reading the forum. My FI 18" res CBE is coming in late october/early november and I can report officially then.

I love the my FI CBE with 18's. Loud when you punch it and quite tame when it needs to be. The quality of the workmanship, welding, materials is top notch and customer service is truly second to none.

If you are looking for a loud exhaust note the AAM Competition Short Tail Exhaust and AAM Competition Test Pipes would be my first choice. Also the FI Exhaust sounds amazing and loud as well if you can swing it.

AAM = Annoying loud at all times and an annoying abundance of drone no matter what engine speed or load at all times. Interior panels in your Z will literally be rattling like crazy.

Ask me how I know... And that was with the stock cats still installed!


For me, I found the perfect combo after much research. Motordyne ART test pipes and HKS Hi-Power exhaust. Both the ART pipes and axle back section of the HKS exhaust utilize Helmholtz resonators.

The results?... Near stock sound levels at idle and light throttle input, but step on the loud pedal, and it lets you know there's something special going on. And a major plus, ZERO drone at any speed!

Expensive? Yes.

Worth it? Most definitely!

IMO Motordyne is the way to go, if you have the money. With that being said, I went Fast Intentions and by no means regret it. Very smooth sound on and off the gas. The drone isn't bad imo with non-res, I hold convos in the car at normal volume. If you keep the cats on, it still sounds great either way. Plus they are always popping up used everywhere.

If you aren't going with HFCs/TPs/headers, get the Motordyne. My FI was very very tame with a stock setup, even unresonated (long tube headers changed that). I ran the motordyne on my 350z with ART pipes, and my wife is using a motordyne on her G37x. Amazing sound to it, even with cats, good balance between aggression, volume, and drone.

I have the exact same setup and I love it. Quiet when idle / easy on the throttle and loud when you want it to be.

+1 for no drone whatsoever :tiphat:

did you get it with 100 cel mil spec cats?

Another option to throw in the mix is Stillen. I know it’s the less hyped brand now but it is quiet at idle and cruising throttle but wakes up at WOT. Zero drone at all, in fact I got it because OEM was having a slight drone right around 2200-2400 rpm and could even slightly feel in in the floor at your feet. With the Stillen that went away and it woke up at WOT so win win for me. It’s probably too tame for most on here but works for me as I’m over the droning exhaust on a daily basis.

Like the Stillen, HKS doesn't get all that much attention either I noticed. I guess people just prefer noisy, droning exhausts. :ohsnap1: LOL