My Kakumei Y-Pipe Review

Viperi said:
So my Megan y pipe flex joint is leaking 100% sure. any review updates on if Kakumei's are lasting?
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Pretty sure they are the same thing, just with a different name. Quality is probably pretty mixed too, where you could get one that craps out on you quick, or one that works fine for awhile.
 
StuLax18 said:
Pretty sure they are the same thing, just with a different name. Quality is probably pretty mixed too, where you could get one that craps out on you quick, or one that works fine for awhile.
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I replaced my Megan with a Kakumei. I don't know about the relative quality of the flex joints, but the parts overall are definitely not the same. Different geometry, different pipe diameter, and different pipe thickness.
 
Hmm, that is interesting. I've never seen both in person, but I'm just basing it off the fact that both are cheaper brands, and they look mostly the same in pictures. That's what led to believe it was a typical Chinese made part that a company just slaps their name on.

Maybe the flex joints on the Kakumei are a bit flatter, although I couldn't find many other pics. And of course their older versions both look like the usual Nismo exhaust y-pipe knockoff, which is the one I have. It seems like the merge point is different too, but I could only this one pic of the Kakumei and it's harder to see that.

'new' Kakumei

KAKUMEI-INFINITI-FX35-FX45-AWD-Y-PIPE--for-sale_220483007926.jpg


'new' megan

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Yeah, they are substantially similar (they both fit), but when you look at them side by side the differences become more apparent. The Kakumei is also noticeably heavier.

I'm also not sure now which version (old or new) of each I have. I bought the Megan new a couple years ago and the Kakumei used about one year ago...
 
tchuck. why did you make the switch? was the build quality of the kakumei seem to look betteR?
 
Viperi said:
tchuck. why did you make the switch? was the build quality of the kakumei seem to look betteR?
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Because the piping diameter didn't match my headers or mid pipe, and the flex joints were rattling.

Yes, both the design and construction of the Kakumei appears to be much better.
 
I was very disappointed when I discovered I couldn't fit the Kakumei into my 08 when I switched cars. Loved the subtle sound it added. I had zero issues with it on the 35 during the time it was on.
 
My BIL's FX35 has the Kakumei under the car for two winters without any issues. Prior to my current Stillen, The FX45 also had the Kakumei and I believe it about 4years old and I estimate it still can last another two years.
 
thanks for the review guys. im bringing it to the shop to make sure the engine mounts are still good ( megan said that that might be an issue). also im thinking of switching my crawford cats for berk cats since it uses factory hangers.
 
I received the y pipe today and i must say it looks like a quality piece. putting it on friday. flanged are nice and thick, comes with good gaskets, and seems to be well supported.
 
that should fit. They are all pretty much the same. just which one will last longer
 
If it fits the X, you're fine. You'll have the same problem with the Megan though of weird outlet diameter which might cause rasp. 3" pipe feeding to a 2.5" pipe with no transition. Some G guys have had a 3" to 2.5" reducer put in to minimize this.
415cpa said:
Has anyone tried the M2 Performance Y-Pipe for the G37 VQ37HR?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/M2-Performa...es&fits=Model:G37&hash=item53f3377f9c&vxp=mtr

I did some research and the AWD G35 guys are using this pipe with success. I would assume that the FX35 and G35X share similar if no the same drivetrain.

http://g35driver.com/forums/intake-exhaust/324262-y-pipes-awd-sedans.html
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Viperi said:
I received the y pipe today and i must say it looks like a quality piece. putting it on friday. flanged are nice and thick, comes with good gaskets, and seems to be well supported.
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i installed the y pipe last week. Not sure if the megan was leaking for a long time but the kakumei y pipe gave the nismo exhaust a different sound. sounds more exotic / higher pitched. love the sound!
 
Awesome, glad to hear that you're happy with the change.
 
Does the kakumei y pipe bolt up to the stock midpipe? 05 awd fx35 stock headers, cats and midpipe. Gtr muffler and planning to do this y pipe if it works with stock midpipe. The inlets say 60mm which seems like the right size but for the outlet it says 76mm. Not sure if itll work/leak. Thanks
 
Yep. The Kakumei bolts to the first gen 35 with no issues. I had it on my 06 FX35. It fit like a glove!
 
It's a nice heavy piece. I love my Kakumei exhaust.
 
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