AUSFXs - THE NEW PROJECT CAR!

[AusFX50s]

Hi everyone! I'm new to the community as I've now moved over from the dark side (BMW) having sold my 2001 BMW E39 530i and purchased a 2013 FX50s 5.0. Because of the market conditions here in Australia, in that Infiniti is having a hard time gaining ground in this hyper competitive market and with the recent change to the model line-up with 'Q' designations; i picked up this brand new Infiniti for a ridiculous price. I was originally intent to put an order in for a new Porsche Macan, but in the end I couldn't rationalize spending twice as much for the same features and performance. Of course, I wasn't willing to wait until late 2014 to actually take delivery either. Good things come to those whom wait they say, yet in this case better things come to me for not waiting.

I looked at the BMW X series, but concluded that they were all hideous and look like failed photo-shop experiments. The Range Rover Sport was nice, but to be honest i simply don't want to be associated with the brand or the stigma attached to it's pretentious community. The ML class Mercedes was nice too, but i'm not a fan of the body shape or the driving dynamics of the AMG version; not to mention being stupidly overpriced. The Audi Q5 TDI was impressive, but looks generic and common. The Lexus rx450h is.... well, the rx450h. Yet my girlfriend and I were very impressed with the Volvo XC60 R-Design, but concluded that we'd buy one in a couple years to replace her Peugeot. I might have kids by then, so the standard fitted booster seats would make sense then. But it was a great car, very quick and punchy with heaps of torque, amazing comfort, good value, well made, awesome features. Just a really, really impressive car.

When all was said and done, the Infiniti brand fit my profile and my personality. The FX50 was too good of a deal, unrivalled value and I truly love everything about he car.

Spec-sheet for the FX50s here in Aus is $116,995 Drive-away, yet I paid only $81,000 with a bunch of extra's included.... ($6699.00 Value)


· 4 year warranty extended from the purchase date rather than build date (gained 8 months)
· Perflection Protection Package (Paint, Leather, Vinyl, Fabric, Tint, Rust Module)
· QX70s Designation provided along with the 5.0 side designation
· Rubber protective cargo mat (So my Beagle and Tenterfield don't ruin the cargo area)
· Rear Bumper Protection Plate

So I think I did pretty well, considering that a comparative Macan S would have cost me $148,502. With no discount and a long wait to take delivery. No thanks.

My FX50 is the Black Obsidian with Graphite Leather / Black Lacquer interior. With both the S Premium options too.

So, it's my intent to do quite a bit of work to it right away so that i'm happy with it from the get go rather than doing it in stages, here are my thoughts....
· Paint match ALL chrome to the Black Obsidian (Door Handles, Vents, Window Trim, Designations, Protection Plate, Everything)
· Paint match the Rails, Cross Bars and the Roof Box to match Black Obsidian body paint. (Need the extra storage for long work trips)
· Powder-coat the stock 21" wheels to match the same Black Obsidian color
· Fit a Borla Cat-Back system with Black tips (Have considered others but they're not easy to get down here in Australia)
· Replace the stock air intakes with a pair of nice sounding cold air intakes with black obsidian paint applied.
· Install Stinger Roadkill Sound Damping foam and material sheeting throughout to combat road noise (Due to wheels/tires)
· Try to find some nice LED fixtures for the headlights and taillights similar to Mr. Hollywood's car, limited options known to me.
· Darken Taillights and Headlights, but not as significantly as other examples.

That's pretty much it, i'm not going to do anything else. No superchargers or turbo's or anything like that. Just simple, clean, elegant changes to get the stealth black/dark gray look. I'm also likely to get a very subtle contrasting shadow effect vinyl wrap done soon with my company logo, which will give it a custom commercial image without making it a billboard.

As for me. I'm an Entrepreneur by trade and the founder of an Australian based cloud services brokerage platform that will be taking over the world in the next few years. I studied Audio Engineering and Signals Analysis back in Uni before realizing that the music industry had become a soulless freak-show devoid of talent or ethics; so I left the industry behind, I had worked with bands and artist you may have likely heard of; Killing Heidi, Space Like Alice and Kylie Minouge. In 2005 I relocated to the USA where I spent a year with Microsoft working on Flight Simulator X and as a lead tester with Nintendo simultaneously. Becoming depressed by Seattle and with Microsoft embarrassingly failing leadership, I then moved to Las Vegas where i was an executive coordinator in the Hilton; wherein i spent a lot of time overseeing convention operations for CES, SEMA etc. My Final stretch in the USA was with Rockstar Games SD as a texture artist before returning to Australia in 2009. Seeking a physical challenge and a fresh perspective of the world, I then surprised all whom know me by abruptly joining the Australian Defense Force. I spent four years in the military, moving on with my life in late 2013 to take up my aforementioned entrepreneurial mantle which will likely fill the next decade or more.

So, that's me and my car. I'm a very experienced photographer, graphic designed and visual effects artist so you can expect some awesome content during my FX50s project.

I'm new to Infiniti, so I hope that this community can offer me both advice and support; which would be greatly appreciated. My company is doing some pretty significant things at the moment with some radical milestones on the near horizon, so there may be times wherein i seem to vanish from the Earth entirely. Yet i'll try to remain in touch with the community where possible. I'll also try to create my profile at some point in the near future.

Thanks Everyone, looking forward to many creative and innovative discussions.

 

[jbaker1121]

Hey man! Welcome!

For mods/ideas for your FX50 check out my threads.

There isn't much available performance wise unless you go custom.

Yes, the Borla is available but I've heard it and didn't like it, so I went custom instead. Just finished up installing test pipes, and have custom HKS-style mufflers
Like I've mentioned in some other threads, the true-dual style of the Borla will actually screw with your low-end/response a bit unless you throw an X-pipe in. However it won't be that bad since you're only increasing the piping .25"
(Some will argue against this since the "back pressure" myth is one of the most argued automobile topics out there)

There are body kits, etc. but really only available in Russia/Japan and they're expensive ($15k+) I would look into the factory AERO kit ($2k ish)

As for the intakes, there are no Cold air intakes available yet.... and to be honest the factory system is already a cold air intake - it has ductwork to suck in air from the grille and I wouldnt really mess with it by having exposed filters, unless you move them to take in air from the grille directly like some do. I would just throw K&N drop-ins to take place of the factory filters to let it breathe a bit better. I've been working on designing one with a local mechanic.

As for tuning. UpRev actually dropped support for the FX50 in december, the day I got mine (partially) tuned because they lost the correct ignition timing maps - however they won't even send you the other maps now until they remedy the problem (aka have a car come in to them for DL the maps)

That should sum up some of your questions in one go!

 

[AusFX50s]

Thanks for your reply!

I'll look into the factory kit, there are many kits out there but they all look really horrible and are not worth the coin being asked. I might just stick with stock body work for a while.

Agreed with regards to the CAI, that would likely just be a redundant modification that serves no real world purpose.

Shame about tuning, yet i would be scared about voiding my warranty even if i could get it done.

So, this whole exhaust topic is likely going to be on my mind for a while. I don't want to buy a kit that i'll hate, i'm not one for wasting money. What didn't you like about the Borla? Your set up looks quite nice, did you gain any HP/NM increase or responsiveness? Do you have a link to some sound recordings or video's? I'm kinda temped to fit a bi Modal exhaust suited to an HSV Holden Commodore, which has a flange control that will allow highway silence, and an aggressive sound when on the throttle or high rpm's. What do you think about this?

Also, i find cabin noise to be an issue coming from my 5 series BMW. Do you think sound damping will be a notable change worthy of the expense?

 

[smijus]

Welcome to !

Can't wait to see the new ride and where you take it from there...

 

[AusFX50s]

I'll take some awesome photo's when it's all finished. It's going into the shop to have all of the Foliatec Plasti-Dip work done on Thursday, they're also going to darken my tail and headlights too.

The only thing that's going to hold me up is the exhaust, I really don't know what to do. Everyone says that the Borla cat-back isn't the best, so the only other alternative is a custom job just like jbaker1121 has done to his. And because i'm in Australia I have far fewer options. I might just head into a premier performance shop on Friday and see what they recommend. Hit or miss it seems, any advice?

I'll also need to figure out where to get some LED accent lights that don't look cheap. I love the headlights on Hollywoods FX, not sure if anyone is Australia does that type of stuff.

---------- Post added at 09:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:00 PM ----------

Hey mate,

I contacted a local performance exhaust fitter and provided him with a link to your thread because i admittedly wanted to base my exhaust solution on yours. Can you please reflect upon his advice? I greatly appreciate your experience and wisdom in this area and want to avoid the cost associated with fitting a exhaust system that i'll hate; having to replace it or return to stock.

"Hi Jesse

The issue the guys had on the forum info on first attempt was removal of rear mufflers and installation of 2 x hotdogs, effectively the car had no mufflers and no back pressure. The final option the guy fitted j pipe resonators.

The mid resonators do the job of removing Drone. However are only effective if a percentage of back pressure is maintained.

I would recommend the following

Maintain mid section.
Flange plate both rear exhaust tubes just after Diff.
Install Mercury STR Mufflers.
Re install original tips.

Cheapest Option to give Engine note with no drone. $480 gst included

2nd Option

Maintain mid section
Flange plate tubes
install XForce Varex mufflers.
Pick Varex with desired Tips.

This option allows you to adjust the noise from within the cabin via a RF Remote controller. $1100

Review Varex mufflers on XForce website.

The 2nd option gives flexibility to suit your desired result.

Kind Regards

Kevin


---------- Post added at 11:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:15 PM ----------

OK, so I've read throughjbaker's entire exhaust thread in great detail and have come to a logical conclusion. No offence, but i'm going to take all of his swapping and changing around as my own 3rd party trial and error and simply remove the stock exhaust and install two X-Force Varex Mufflers with some nice matte black powder coated tips. The cats, resonators, mid section etc will all be left alone; no point touching it and this way my new car warranty is completely safe!

I've heard these mufflers on Holden HSV's which are Aussie V8 muscle cars and they sound mean! So I can have quiet and loud! Either way, no drone whatsoever! Closed should be quieter than stock and open should be the same as having straight pipes. I'm also going to have a physical hard wired control knob fitted in the car so that I don't have to use the cheesy hand held remote control while i'm in the car. Not sure where i'll put it but it'll look like it was put there by the factory.

I'll finish it off with some matte black double walled tips, maybe Remus if they make one that's a similar size to the stock tips.





What do you think?

---------- Post added 02-11-2014 at 12:17 AM ---------- Previous post was 02-10-2014 at 11:46 PM ----------

Going to have to do some tricky wiring with a couple relay's so that i can have a phsyical 3 throw switch in the car. ie: 'Open - Stop - Close'

 

[jbaker1121]

like I answered in my exhaust thread, I say go for it. You won't change your power at all - it will just be for sound only since you're just replacing the mufflers with different ones. This will pretty much be the same as doing a muffler delete when you have those at 100% open, and when you have them adjusted to "muffle" it will just sound a bit different because it's just a different muffler.

if you want to change performance, that's when you need to address the cats and the overall flow of the exhaust system. It depends on your overall goals.

Plus, the only thing that will void any warranty will be touching the cats. you could technically swap out everything cat-back and be fine, because it won't change anything besides the sound and some back pressures. (although if yoiu have too much bass you'll rattle things that will eventually come loose, etc....)

Also, your exhaust guy is partially correct. Again, like I said this is a topic that is always argued. The mufflers and resonators really just change the sound - most of the back pressure is associated with the actual size and length of piping... removing the muffler also removes a foot of piping so you lose a bit of back pressure.

however, like I mentioned - if you were to take out the entire exhaust system from the cats back and replace it with nothing but 3" piping straight back to the tips, you'll lose a lot of back pressure and although you'll make a few more hp up top, you'll shift the powerband and lose low-end tq "feel" (plus it'll be really loud/bassy)

the options he gave you - keeping the cats/y/mid&resonators but then just changing the mufflers, again, will just change the tone which you can then adjust. It'll just be louder.

The best thing to do for power/sound would be full 2.5" piping with an X pipe and resonators, and test pipes. It'll be loud but show the best power gains Imo.
However a full custom header-back exhaust would probably be in the $2-3k range depending on materials and quality of work, etc.

If you like how those are adjustable and are worried about warranty (which you shouldn't be) just go for it.

 

[shadow191]

Your exhaust guy seems confused. Back pressure isn't a real thing, it's just what people get told to explain anything exhaust related. Exhausts are basically plumbing and fluid dynamics, so when people think back pressure, they're meaning pressure drop. The higher the pressure drop, the greater the "back pressure" Loss of exhaust scavenging is what happens when people think that going to too big of a pipe killed their low end torque. Exhaust gases are pulsed so the first pulse helps drag the second pulse out and so forth. Like drafting in car racing, this is much more pronounced at low rpm's. This is more efficient and why there are so many custom headers that use crazy collectors to maximize scavenging. A big exhaust basically reduces exhaust velocity at low rpm's since the pipe is so big the exhaust doesn't have to be going as fast to get through it and this reduces the scavenging effect which in turn causes the loss of torque. But at high rpm, there is not as much exhaust scavenging since the pulses are coming much closer together, it's closer to constant fluid flow. Then you want the bigger pipe so that exhaust flow isn't impeded.

By the time the exhaust gets to the resonators, "back pressure" has minimal impact on anything including drone. Resonators are more effective when placed earlier in the exhaust flow because exhaust frequency changes with exhaust velocity and velocity drops as you go down to the end. You can build an exhaust with very minimal "back pressure" and no drone. Just use big pipes, properly placed resonators and you're set. One has nothing to do with the other.

Put it another way, cats cause "back pressure" since they are an impediment to flow and result in the engine having to build more pressure to get exhaust through them. Would anyone argue that removing the OEM cats doesn't result in more power?

 

[AusFX50s]

Heya! Screwing around with the cats, resonators, piping and mid section just seems like a completely redundant proposition to me; with little to no real world benefit at great cost and risk. All I want to be able to do is enjoy the unimpeded brutal sound of a glorious engine (as with a muffler delete) from time to time, yet still be able to switch it back to the silence and maturity of stock with the touch of a button. I don't want to turn this car into a ricer or a muscle car, it's neither of those things. For the most part I need it to remain a professional and elegant performance car, turning it into a loud obnoxious monster, full of drone and a loud cabin is just going to be uncomfortable and attract too much unwanted attention. With regards to the warranty, there's always risk when there's more power in the system than the factory has originally intended. When this car is out of warranty, that's when i'll either sell it and upgrade.

Thanks for the feedback, I think i'll be happy with the factory's 390HP. The sound is what i'm going to have to live with and it's what will define peoples first impressions.

 

[shadow191]

Then your idea is sound to just replace the mufflers with the electronic ones. Similar to how BMW's use electronic valves in the exhaust to alter exhaust note. The only concern I would have is reliability since there is now an electric motor operating a valve in a very hot area. e-cutouts aren't that reliable and this is similar in concept. Other than that, should work great.

 

[jbaker1121]

^^
You're incorrect.. the "Real world benefit" of messing with the cats, etc. is the added HP - and you can avoid drone/bass by adding resonators in proper places... (replacing all 4 cats with RTP or HFC would result in anywhere from 25-40 hp probably, after a true tune and with supporting exhaust mods.) The Sebastian VEttel edition FX50 has more horsepower (415 crank) from only exhaust adjustment and minor engine tuning.... and still has cats.

Also, shadow is correct and this is the reason I didn't go with cutouts, because of electronics down in a high heat area. (I also have to worry about a lot of salt in the winter, which you don't being in Australia)

Like I said above, your solution is excellent for being able to adjust the sound without changing anything else. Silent when you want it and brutal when you want it. However I'm going the route of an overall tuned exhaust for the power and what I think is a "proper" note for the FX50.


Good luck, keep us updated!

 

[AusFX50s]

Then your idea is sound to just replace the mufflers with the electronic ones. Similar to how BMW's use electronic valves in the exhaust to alter exhaust note. The only concern I would have is reliability since there is now an electric motor operating a valve in a very hot area. e-cutouts aren't that reliable and this is similar in concept. Other than that, should work great.

Yes, this is a concern. Or at least is was, the Varex mufflers have been around for a very long time now and I believe they're up to their 7th generation. I spoke to a representative from X-Force who said that there's a warranty offered through distributors, but it's rare that the electric motors give out unless it's being used overwhelmingly often. Some people remove the control unit and link it up to their rev timers which equates to a constantly changing valve, this reduces it's lifespan dramatically. Not sure about the heat, i'm sure the motor was chosen with that taken into account. In any case, i don't have many other options. It's a brand new car so I can't replace anything other than the mufflers without effecting some statutes of my 4 year warranty.

 

[jbaker1121]

It's a brand new car so I can't replace anything other than the mufflers without effecting some statutes of my 4 year warranty.

I really don't think this is the case - you should read up on your local laws. I know in the US we have a case that determined that they can only void your warranty on something if it can be proven that the change you made was the direct cause of the problem. It may be different for you, however.

 

[AusFX50s]

I really don't think this is the case - you should read up on your local laws. I know in the US we have a case that determined that they can only void your warranty on something if it can be proven that the change you made was the direct cause of the problem. It may be different for you, however.

I've got no interest in finding out and to be honest, I have even less desire to add additional performance. 390HP is more than enough. I'm not a race car driver.

But this is what I do want..... Give me 2-4 weeks, and it will be so

 

[jbaker1121]

I saw int he other thread- nice render. If your body guy ends up making a good copy, talk to him about creating a few kits to sell. People here will definitely buy it.

 

[AusFX50s]

I saw int he other thread- nice render. If your body guy ends up making a good copy, talk to him about creating a few kits to sell. People here will definitely buy it.

He does pretty amazing work, very impressive stuff. As far as i'm aware, the original Vettel edition was an actual carbon fiber composite; thus expensive. Yet this replica would almost certainly be fiberglass, do you think it will still have the same visual impact being painted the same factory color as the body? Personally I think it looks fantastic and would rather it not be carbon fiber. With that said, I don't think i'm going to bother with the wing at all. Looks kinda tricky and I don't really like the look of it anyway.

The front bumper doesn't seem to be all that complex. Yet the the skirts might be problematic, the 2013 FX50 it has a long chrome strip which is a part of the lower door panel which is different on the Vettel edition. So for the replica to be accurate the lower segments of all four doors would need to be changed. The rear bumper seems to be the same as the front, nothing complex. In any case, the wheel arches on the stock car aren't painted, they're matte black plastic so they would also need to be replaced too. Those middle sections are going to be a bitch. Tail light plastic has no color on the Vettel, can't change that easily. 12 Part Kit plus accessories, might be expensive... Would be the best kit out there though.

1x: Front Bumper
1x: Rear Bumper
2x Skirt (FL-FR)
4x Lower door segments (FL-FR-RL-RR)
4x Wheel Arches (FL-FR-RL-RR)
2x Front LED Running lights
2x Rear Skinny Reflectors
1x Rear Brake Light (F1 Style)

I wonder if anyone else in the forum has already attempted to make a replica whom might be able to offer some advise.

 

[jdTrader]

Love the render. Also have always been a fan of matte black.

 

[gto]

Welcome to the site. Nice intro

 

[AusFX50s]

It begins!!!

Update! I'm taking delivery of the car tomorrow morning and then taking it straight over to a local performance shop to get the exhaust done....

• Removing stock mufflers. The stock cats, resonators, pipes and headers will remain in place and untouched (to secure 4 year warranty)
• Installing 2 x-Force Varex VMK10-250 performance mufflers linked by a VK02 Duel control unit - Electronic butterfly valve (Closed = stock / Open = straight pipes)
• Stock Tips are going to be reused and painted matte black using a heat resistant ceramic paint
• Physical hardwired switch is going to be installed into the car, as there is a black button casing just next to the boot control. This will be my exhaust control!

The job will take 4-6 hours because of the electrical work, but i'll get it back before the day's out. So i'll have the weekend to enjoy it. Then on Monday it goes into the body shop...

• ALL chrome covered with a Black Matte Foliatech Plasti-Dip, high end stuff that's highly durable and will look awesome. He's doing an extra think coat.
• Roof rails, wheels and QX70 model designation is also being covered in the same plasti-dip (new 5.0 badge on the sides) All black!
• Also going to cover the center pillar so that it looks uniform with the rest of the trim. (Perfection!)

That will be stage one and two complete, then it needs to go back to Infiniti so that they can tint the windows and do all of paint/leather/fabric protection stuff. So I think i'll be getting a loaner car from them for the remainder of the week, I hope its the new Q50! With that all taken care of i'll then be heading south a couple hours to drop it off at the fabricator so work can begin on the Vettel body kit, which is going to be painted to match the car. He's managed to get his hands on the exact same paint directly from the dealership and he's going to do 6 layers of clear coat so the paint is an identical match. (micron light testing) He's also found reflectors, LED Lights and the rear F1 style light that looks pretty much identical to the Vettel and they'll all be functional!

He's also going to darken the tail-lights slightly, enough to remove the redness of the plastic and make it look a little more uniform with the black body-work.

I'll take heaps of photo's and video's over the weekend and through-out the build process and upload them concurrently.

 

[PMG 705]

You've got a lot planned. Definitely in for pictures.



TapaTalkin'

 

[santiagodraco]

Hey man! Welcome!

As for tuning. UpRev actually dropped support for the FX50 in december, the day I got mine (partially) tuned because they lost the correct ignition timing maps - however they won't even send you the other maps now until they remedy the problem (aka have a car come in to them for DL the maps)

This problem should be remedied soon once I bring my FX over for my tune. My car was the original source for the FX rom.

OP, just my personal opinion of course but I'd take jbakers advice and look into the OEM spoiler kit. Personally I'd only use the front spoiler, I'm not a big fan of how the entire kit looks but the car looks great with just the front.