Nismo + AWD

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Lords47

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Location
Dartmouth, MA
Just have a clarification question based on a previous post in a different thread:

In regards to bullet number 4 below, I have an AWD FX. Am I correct in my interpretation that if I buy a Nismo cat back system, the Y-pipe it comes with won't fit, even with the g35 extention? Therefore, that would mean that on top of buying the NISMO, I'd also have to purchase a Kakumei y-pipe. Could I also leave the stock y pipe?

It seems a lot of people on here are running 2WD FX's?????

Thanks for the clarification,
-Ryan

edit: if the quoted one above is not clear enough, here's the answer:
Almost ALL 350Z, G35 aftermarket exhaust will fit FX35, BUT
1) 350Z exhaust will be short on the mid pipe and this either needs to get extended by the muffler shop OR you need to get the g35 extension
2) The tips will be short whether it's 350Z or G35 exhaust. These will need to get extended by the muffler shop as well
3) Even with these, there might be fitment issues
4) Nismo is probably the most common one here. It is a 350Z exhaust. It's y-pipe WON'T fit AWD (almost no aftermarket y-pipes will fit except Kakumei), everything else will fit with the modifications explained above
5) Stillen and HKS Legamax for FX35 are the true bolt ons, no modifications needed
6) Stillen will have fitment issues for FX45, Nismo won't.
Click to expand...
 
Lords47 said:
Just have a clarification question based on a previous post in a different thread:

In regards to bullet number 4 below, I have an AWD FX. Am I correct in my interpretation that if I buy a Nismo cat back system, the Y-pipe it comes with won't fit, even with the g35 extention? Therefore, that would mean that on top of buying the NISMO, I'd also have to purchase a Kakumei y-pipe. Could I also leave the stock y pipe?

It seems a lot of people on here are running 2WD FX's?????

Thanks for the clarification,
-Ryan
Click to expand...

Kakumei + stock? :rofl: Let me show you how it looks from below and explain it a little:

This is a stock system:
View attachment 161522

And this is my system with Kakumei:
View attachment 161523

Now, in the first pic, you see the stock y-pipe. It connects to two catalytic converters our FX has and merges them at a single collector. It then connects to the mid pipe which finally connects to rear muffler that splits out the exhaust with two tips.

The marked part you see in my pic is the front differential. Rear wheel drive vehicles won't have this and in those, you can put a straighter y-pipe, like the Nismo y-pipe:
View attachment 161525

Now that we're clear on y-pipe part (nope, two y-pipes won't work :wink: ), here are the details:
1) The inlet part of the Nismo mid pipe will be 6" shorter than where our y-pipe collector is. This is where the g35 extension goes in. Alternatively, you can go to the muffler shop and they can weld flanges to a pipe and use that instead.
2) The tips will be short because the 350Z bumper is shorter than ours. Those need to be extended.
3) Our y-pipe is 2.25" dual inlets (at the arms) and 2.5" outlet. The problem is, it's all crush bends so at the sharpest bend, the arm reduces to less than 2" inside diameter. Aftermarket y-pipes take care of that. There was a UTR y-pipe that was offered in a group buy a long while ago at the .org. Kakumei is identical to that (and probably they're the manufacturer). It REPLACES your y-pipe, and is 2.5" inlets and 3" outlet diameter. I don't know any other aftermarket y-pipe offering for the AWD FX as of now. You can get one made at the muffler shop, sure, but Kakumei is easy to get (they're on ebay) plus, you can always use that 25% live.com cashback offer for a pretty good deal.

note: my system is different after y-pipe so disregard that part in the pic.
 
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LOL, thanks for the explanation. Definately helps. BUT! Just so you don't think i'm an @sshat, I wasn't suggesting using 2 y-pipes, I guess I typed it a little vague. I was trying to say I could buy the Kakumei OR leave the stock y-pipe in conjunction with the NISMO system, just minus the y-pipe from NISMO.

But for you, EG3, am I correct that you omitted the y-pipe from NISMO and replaced it with the Kakumei? So you have the Kakumei y-pipe, NISMO mid pipe, g35 extension, then the NISMO muffler?

If I have this down, I think I'm good :)
 
Oops, didn't see in your sig that you have an APS exhaust, not NISMO.

After the cold morning, burning my skin off doesn't sound like such a bad idea...
 
^^ yeah ask me about it, I'm living on a hilltop. It's even worse there.. Anyhow, yes you can leave the stock y-pipe (which I assure you will get replaced as soon as you get some more money left somewhere :smile: ) or you can use Kakumei. Kakumei will be a better choice not only because of the bends on stock pipe but also because its collector is the same D as Nismo's mid pipe. That is, it'll be a better fit but yeah, try Nismo first and if you want to go ahead, you can always get Kakumei. It's not going anywhere really..

If you get the Nismo setup, this will be the order:
Cats - Y-pipe - G35 extension - Nismo mid pipe - Nismo muffler

Extension connects the y-pipe to mid pipe, not the muffler to mid.
 
Excellent. Thanks so much. Exactly the answers I was looking for.

They say Chicago is the windiest city. I say nay nay. Try working right on the shore in Newport, RI. Wind + Cold = envious of SoCal folks. However, I'll take comfort in knowing that if SoCal folks travel up to Boston, the southeast expressway will be a walk in the park compared to their traffic nightmares :wink:
 
You can do what trainerKen did with his nismo catback on his FX45 AWD. What he did was cut and lengthen the nismo y-pipe and in doing so omitted the need for the G extension.
 
Z1Performance said:
yep thats an option too, but in reality its the same thing as fitting the extension pipe, just with 1 less gasket
Click to expand...


yeah, but it does alleviate the problem of awd clearance, allowing the nismo y to be used in the first place:wink:



theres always the option of just bolting in a stillen dual system, complete catback, no nothing other than just unpack & install, done :laugh:
 
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