Chedman13's 2003 FX45

where did you get the rear cargo organizer? BOY! Do I need one of those!! I have soooooo much car care products back there... it's going out of control... (I live in a condo with underground parking, and I have so much money in car care products, I don't feel safe leaving it around for everyone to grab):confused:
 
trainerKEN said:
where did you get the rear cargo organizer? BOY! Do I need one of those!! I have soooooo much car care products back there... it's going out of control... (I live in a condo with underground parking, and I have so much money in car care products, I don't feel safe leaving it around for everyone to grab):confused:
Click to expand...

http://www.trademotion.com/partloca...3323&siteid=55&categoryID=41957&subcat1=41961

I've seen it on ebay a couple times and other websites so you might want to check them out if other places are cheaper. I think with shipping it was close to $150.

It's probably my favorite mod because it's so useful. I hate when items shift when I drive and this prevents that. Especially handy on grocery trips.
 
Good array of modifications you have Chedman13. Good Stuff.

How do you like the HKS system? I'm thinking about going that route for the exhaust system for my '04 45. I watched your video on the other thread, and it sounds great. Do you notice any difference in HP/TQ?
 
Mel_Man said:
Good array of modifications you have Chedman13. Good Stuff.

How do you like the HKS system? I'm thinking about going that route for the exhaust system for my '04 45. I watched your video on the other thread, and it sounds great. Do you notice any difference in HP/TQ?
Click to expand...

I got ripped on for saying this on another forum so here is my disclaimer: I have not done any controlled tests or have any testing equipment. All comments are from personal experience.

I live in an area where they use a lot of salt in the winter. Therefore Nismo and other custom systems were out of the question because I did not want to use any aluminized parts or have any cutting done. I found one shop that does stainless welding and has stainless tubing, but they were charging and arm and a leg and were not friendly.

Therefore, having a bolt-on stainless steel system was key for me. I previously had custom exhaust that were not stainless steel, and all rusted out in 2-3 years. Granted it's cheap enough to get it replaced, I wanted a long term solution.

HKS fit the bill and bought the rear section muffler. The pedal felt a bit smoother and the exhaust seemed to breath freer. I liked the sound much better than OEM, and I believe I lost maybe 10 lbs or so as OEM muffler is heavy and much larger.

I noticed the resonator was big and looked restrictive so I was going to have it cut out and put a stainless steel tube in it's place. The shop was going to charge me about as much as the HKS mid pipe so that was another easy decision. After adding the mid pipe is where the most difference came about. The resonator is much freer flowing as I felt there were less restriction by pedal feel. The sound change dramatically, having a deeper growl.

Note you need to add an extra exhaust hanger (on the mid pipe) to avoid rattling as it probably will hit your w brace.

Now, I feel like I have been driving the same before and after the HKS exhaust. My gas mileage on my screen went from 16 mpg to 17 mpg. I have no explanation or if there is even a correlation with the HKS exhaust, but happy with the results none the less.

In terms of HP and Torque - not really. The engine seems to rev more freely and when I hit the gas it feels more responsive, but I couldn't say that it's faster. I know this is for sure, it sounds a lot faster=) I think the y-pipe and resonator are the big restrictors of the OEM system. You'll probably get the most gains by changing those out. I don't have any plans for a Y pipe unless UTR goes into production again.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the reply chedman13.

From your reply it sounds you're very happy with the results. I live in NY and I guess the salt on the road would be an issue for me too.
One of the options that I've been contemplating is going with a flowmaster muffler, and keeping the rest of the exhaust system untouched, or the muffler and getting rid of the resonator while keeping the stock tips. I've heard pretty good things about this set up. My concern is that by the time I'm done doing this I will have spent half of what the HKS midpipe and muffler cost. If that is the case I feel that I might as well fork over the extra cash and get a product that's going to last longer.

Hmmm decisions, decisions. I guess I have some thinking to do.
 
Mel_Man said:
Thanks for the reply chedman13.

From your reply it sounds you're very happy with the results. I live in NY and I guess the salt on the road would be an issue for me too.
One of the options that I've been contemplating is going with a flowmaster muffler, and keeping the rest of the exhaust system untouched, or the muffler and getting rid of the resonator while keeping the stock tips. I've heard pretty good things about this set up. My concern is that by the time I'm done doing this I will have spent half of what the HKS midpipe and muffler cost. If that is the case I feel that I might as well fork over the extra cash and get a product that's going to last longer.

Hmmm decisions, decisions. I guess I have some thinking to do.
Click to expand...

It's a very good setup. I met up with another member in Chicago that:
1) removed resonator
2) replaced muffler with flowmaster

Total cost was about $100 (flowmaster) + small tubing + labor = $150-$200.

Now the flowmaster is even lighter than the HKS as it's a lot smaller. I say you will have to replace your system every 3-5 years living in NY. For what I paid, probably around $800, you can get it replaced 4 times. You'll probably have sold the car by then.

Note this will get you a lot of attention, sounds like an exotic V8 and probably the best sounding exhaust that I've heard. It's almost dead silent at idle and no drone on highway. Noticeably louder in cabin though.

That being said, I liked the HKS better because it's a balance. Not too loud, but just enough noise to know it's not OEM=) Not to mention the awesome tips which some don't like (thick double wall). You can't go wrong with either choice, the FX45 V8 seems to work well with many exhaust systems.
 
Thanks for the reply chedman, very helpful.

Who is the member that you saw this set up on? And by any chance are there some pictures I could take a look at?

So... I think I'll go with the flowmaster set up, it sounds like a very good deal. If I do I need to get the muffler and a midpipe as well to remove the resonator, righ? What exactly is the resonator? These might sound like dumb questions, but I'm very new to modding especially in the performance department. Thank you in advance for your help.
 
Mel_Man said:
Thanks for the reply chedman, very helpful.

Who is the member that you saw this set up on? And by any chance are there some pictures I could take a look at?

So... I think I'll go with the flowmaster set up, it sounds like a very good deal. If I do I need to get the muffler and a midpipe as well to remove the resonator, righ? What exactly is the resonator? These might sound like dumb questions, but I'm very new to modding especially in the performance department. Thank you in advance for your help.
Click to expand...

you can do a search on the org. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post links to there.

No dumb questions. The resonator is on the mid pipe, sort of like a "mini" muffler. Our OEM one is a rectangle and eliminates certain frequencies to reduce sound. All you need to do is cut it out and replace it with a straight pipe. So all you need to do is buy the muffler and the exhaust shop will do the rest.

You can leave the resonator on if you want, it will be more quiet if so. Most if not all have removed it.
 
Cool, thanks for the help.

I've been talking to a member from the org about this, and he's been very helpful as well. I think I'm going to go ahead and do it, I'll let you know how it works out. Thank you again.
 
you can do a search on the org. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post links to there.
Click to expand...

Guys, there is nothing wrong with posting links to the org or any other site that may assist you your task. Just wanted to make that clear cause we are not here to make anyone uncomfortable. We just want to help out other FX enthusiasts.
 
Dr.2K said:
Guys, there is nothing wrong with posting links to the org or any other site that may assist you your task. Just wanted to make that clear cause we are not here to make anyone uncomfortable. We just want to help out other FX enthusiasts.
Click to expand...

+1 on that... We are all here to help each other. If the resources we need are not here, the Scene does not mind if links to other sites are available here also....

Enjoy the journey..

:wink:
 
gto-dave said:
nismo setup is full stainless w/ incredible build & welds
Click to expand...

I agree, it's just that you still have to extend the tips. You can buy stainless steel tubing etc... and have it done, but I didn't want to do any cutting. If I took it to a local exhaust shop they would have extended it with aluminized steel tubing. Granted it's such a small portion to replace when it rusts out, still not something I wanted to do.

What I really was trying to get at was that HKS is a true bolt-on exhaust for the FX35/45 where Nismo wasn't as it was made for a G35/350Z.
 
OK, I get it.
I was fortunate that my shop bends & welds stainless.
I know the HKS is made to fit, but I still believe that there is more potential from the Nismo or Stillen, or any custom 3" build. HKS doesnt give you any additional flow by increased capacity. Plumbing is the same, or close to stock sizing. Basically a cleaner looking piece with a better sounding muffler & better bends. Not sure you're really gaining anything.

BTW, there is an HKS Y from Japan that will fit & complete the system.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top