Why Do Nissan 350Z’s Sound Terrible?

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Is that a trumpet coming down the street? No, it's just your neighborhood stance boy with his straight piped 350z. We've all heard it before but not many of us can say we like it. The VQ engine sounds terrible...but WHY? In todays video, Gels gets into the science of it all and explains just why the VQ gets so much hate. But don't worry we also have a fix for this problem so stay till the end to see what it is!
#350z #cars #nissan #vq35hr
Time Stamps
0:00 Intro
0:30 Straight Pipe Madness
0:53 Frequency Explained
1:22 Engine Frequency Differences
2:31 History of the VQ35
4:15 Nvidia Gemini Cat Back Exhaust
4:47 Tomei Expreme Exhaust
5:18 Tanabe Medalion Exhuast
6:05 Outro
Let us know in the comment's down below what Car Review you want to see next!

[@MartiniWorksOfficial]

Z owners where ya at?! 👀 Don't worry, we love ya. If you need car parts, car shirts, or car stuff make sure to mod your car at www.MartiniWorks.com!

[@paperroutea]

fuqqq y'all aint no-one buying dat schiiii

[@kouvue1010]

Present!

[@_entrxpy]

Last part of the vid was all wrong. The only ways to make a VQ sound good are only two, not one more than two. And those two are: making it turbocharged, or making it a true dual exhaust (keeping the 2 engine banks separated).

[@slevpy]

Lol you need to redo this video because every exhaust you listed sounded like shit. The cheat code to the vq is an hks high power exhaust + borla resonator + ssv flow kinteitx manifold + nismo headers + hks intake.

[@gabrielc6961]

I am dreaming about doing a VQ37VHR Datsun 280z build.

[@MFBushidoBrown]

VQ do not sound that bad, their owners tune and mod the exhaust sound poorly

[@LiljamezZz]

ong

[@BurninSnowMan]

Fr they sound different but they only really sound bad when ppl cut off the mufflers or straight piped. Its a cool platform for how all the different exhaust set ups can change the sound so much aside from just louder, i unno its wierd to try to explain lmao I been thru half a Dozen exhaust systems with Zs now and currently the best sounding na to me is equal lenght headers, berk reso test pipes, circuit works reso y pipe with nVidia N1 axle back. Start up sounds like a V8, a real nice deep low rumble but it still screams too.

[@bluueemethod434]

Agreed, most VQ posers just straight pipe it and it sounds terrible r.i.p.

[@z34gue]

I got motordyne art pipes and a greddy dual exit, (370) and sounds deep and good. Not like that shit lmao.

[@andrewagape9244]

Thank you!!!! I swear almost every vq owner has absolutely no good taste in exhaust sounds

[@tescoshortage]

1. Always use resonators. 2. Always use resonators. 3. Always use resonators. 4. Refer to step 1.

[@motion2597]

They dont sound bad. Most ppl just have clapped Zs with straight pipes. Motordyne Zs sound good

[@MartiniWorksOfficial]

Clapped cars are gonna sound clapped, thats for sure.

[@infiniteblaz3416]

The only aftermarket exhaust that sounds even remotely decent is the Megan Racing one.

[@antoniosantiago2809]

Personally, I love the way the 350z sounds. It really is easy to mess up though with the wrong exhaust setup. I love the way mine sounds stock, in the cabin of the car at night The exhaust I’m hoping to get in the future is the HKS exhaust. I think it sounds amazing. There’s not a lot of good examples on KZbin though. I wanted to buy it from you guys in the future to support, but I don’t remember seeing it available on your website

[@TheWhills]

I had the HKS (NOT a rep) when I had my Z and it sounded great. Looks great with a tucked bumper too. Basic, yes. Badass, also yes.

[@SigArms40Cal229]

My dad had the HKS Hi-Power on his '06 G35. It was a great sounding catback for daily driving and commuting. Trust me, it's a good system. Anything with resonators sounds good, in my opinion.

[@Simnettnutrition]

Go for it! I have an HKS true dual on my Z and love it. I mated it to motordyne ART pipes and it sounds incredible. I did cut out the H-Pipe and have a magnaflow resonated x-pipe welded in though and think it sounds even better now. It really smoothed out the sound. It hurt cutting the HKS up but in the end I'm glad I did, it's honestly the best sounding Z around IMO.

[@svgry6098]

They don't sound bad if you do it right. Put a true dual system with resonators on and it becomes one of the best sounding NA V6's

[@unculturedswine9984]

dont forget good high flow cats and headers. all game changers

[@Alex-vz2jz]

🎺🎺🎺 Nope you need cams. Exhaust alone ain't gonna fix it.

[@jiaah7.-8]

@@Alex-vz2jzfalse.

[@EnormousDaisey77]

True duals sound dumb 10 times out of 10. Put an x in there. Scavenge some energy. Sound better. Dont be a dumb 16 year old.

[@jdmdamian]

True Dual exhaust is the way to go with VQ and test pipes are a no go.

[@mrmiagi6052]

Nissan spent a ton of money and time researching and testing different exhaust setups to achieve the best sound possible for the VQ when the 350z and g35 came out in 2003. They definitely can get to a point where they are obnoxiously loud and raspy but so can most cars. Overall they produce a very smooth soothing rumble.

[@undergroundriptiles7005]

That’s because stock Exhaust sounds good

[@_entrxpy]

That’s because the stock exhaust was designed in collaboration with Calsonic, which is the sound engineering company which also made the sounds for the Gran Turismo saga games.

[@highlyillogical9399]

Yeah, I actually loved the sound of the stock exhaust setup. I only got rid of it because I needed better exhaust flow for my turbo.

[@lawnmowerdude]

I always thought the VQ engines were the best sounding v6 engines. Maybe I just haven’t the clapped out ones.

[@y33sean]

Surprised it wasn't mentioned, but the HKS Hi-Power catback produces a really great note, especially when the rest of the exhaust is stock

[@wideblue4231]

Yep, it's the best one for me too. Sounds like an NSX

[@generationdoomer223]

agreed

[@myc2063]

Great video! ISR single gt exhaust is where it’s at for a low/small deep note.

[@MartiniWorksOfficial]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching

[@Thatblue35]

Yeah, when I bought my G35 it had a ISR catback but with the blast pipes on the end. At first I thought it was too much but I love it now.

[@christopherhernandez4035]

Add a isr y pipe and hi flow cats

[@Thatblue35]

I’m pretty sure I have the Y pipe. I just need the cats.

[@MannyVQ]

Motordyne>

[@akihori]

Missed out on the best vq exhaust out there the Motordyne tdx2 which is a dual exit system that when paired with resonated test pipes or headers sounds amazing

[@undergroundriptiles7005]

Right, that’s the number 1 out there for sure especially with the art pipes

[@loganmayes3208]

I have a 370z and i found just a back box delete although its not a massive help for power, it creates a really nice V6 note while being deep and not raspy but also loud enough for the streets. I feel the VQ platform really benefits from resonators and cats either sports or stock to keep the raspy notes down.

[@bricetriplett759]

VQ’s can sound great, even if you want it to be rowdy and loud and obnoxious with flames and everything, you can still make it sound great. Just do research and get the right parts and don’t cheap out on a straight pipe

[@davidsaravia8741]

I low key agree with the video it can be done right depending on the owner, I have an 08 350z with ISR long tube headers, z1 y pipe, tomei catback and I also have a set of tomei poncams, I think it sounds amazing and I get compliments about it all the time!

[@StripedPanda]

I love my hks on my 350 even once I went with cut canisters and art pipes it is the smoothest, least trumpet-like exhaust I’ve heard on a vq

[@danhogg6]

I have the full tanabe/revel cat back and sounds great. I wanna try high flow cats with it because it could be just a little louder. but honestly with no mufflers and everything else stock, it didn't sound terrible.

[@maestro4287]

I have the Tanabe Revel Medallion on my Lexus GS350 and I love it. Great for redeeming the sound of V6s.

[@Jinmarui]

Stainless 3" Y-pipe and an offset Flowmaster Super 50 has been doing well as a single-exit setup on my G35. I was going to slap it together and set up a side-branch resonator afterward but it honestly already sounds pretty close to the HKS replica I used to run. It's actually quieter in the low-RPM but quickly gets louder past 3500RPM.

[@mrpandasian8871]

The tanabe exhaust is actually music to my ears, it a mild aggressive tone but still quiet and smooth enough for a simple cruise 👌

[@lunaticckc]

I got a true dual exaust. Into an x pipe and dumped just below the rear diff, all I have is the cats and then 2.5inches all the way back, sounds pretty loud but only when you step into it. Other then that it sounds really good for a vq

[@Brentgass58]

Ooooo sciencey educational content. I am HERE FOR IT!

[@CarEnthusiastContent]

I like the trumbone sound lol. It’s the sound of an engine screaming to put out as much power as it can muster. It’s not the best sound, but I like it.

[@MBay3131]

same. I like the sound as well!

[@MartiniWorksOfficial]

Aye, everyone marches to the beat of a different trombone 😅

[@VZBudgetBuildz]

@@MartiniWorksOfficialI drive a Z and played trombone in HS marching band, so it fits, I can play jingle bells on both too 😅

[@delrey-p]

I saw a video where it sounded like an f1 car going through the countryside

[@homsi53]

i have an hr g35 sedan with tomei berk test pipes and plan on getting tomei headers. Yeah its loud and obnoxious but the feeling i get on the highway is indescribable

[@kyongwpark]

Had Stillen exhausts on mine. Basically a nice oem plus type exhaust with little to no drone.

[@DEATHWISHVQ]

did not mention the motordyne dual exit. This is one of the best for VQs, it’s not obnoxious and it’s toned.

[@Ben_Z33]

I can confirm the the headers alone changed the sound alot on my early year 350z alot. However with that came some rasp I need to sort out under deacceleration sounds deep above 3000rpm but under that the rasp start to come.

[@Jamesmertle]

no cats one straight through resonator and muffler with a offshoot resonator (biggest you can find) and a h pipe somewhere in the middle and they sound pretty damn good still loud tho

[@LiljamezZz]

They really dont sound that bad its just people make them sound bad

[@XTheJenovaProjectX]

I love the way it has that signature modulated slap. They sorta give me Ferrari rev vibes. But obviously not as good.

[@primosgangentertainment6729]

A stillen exhaust is not bad at all a lil quite with the gen2 but i did a muffler delete and kept the resonator and it sounds lovely

[@colinhawks2469]

I have a 370z with the Motordyne exhaust with their decatted ART test pipes…it sounds absolutely glorious 😁

[@supradoom]

I love VQ sounds from HQ exhausts.

[@kouvue1010]

As a current 2003 350z DE owner, I've been there with the trumpet note but i for me, it still sounds better than them hondas at 3 am in the morning. It's a shame how hard it is to change out the headers in the VQ35DE having done it myself, I would prefer not do it again. Probably why there's so many trumpets out and about. With that said, my 350z currently have DC equal lenght headers, z1 test pipes, z1 y pipe, and finished with the infamous single exit tomei titanium extreme and let me tell you something, its a night and day different. When on wide open throttle, it sounds like the VR38 from the GTR mixed with the highpitch a v-12 f1 car produces, and when off throttle, everything said before with pops and bangs. That probably the best way I can put it. You have to be in the cabin to get the full experience. Not to mention the headers also help the motor make more power in the high rpm. With this combination the smiles per gallon I get is well worth it, so much so I don't even feel guilty when I have to refuel. The drone is quite obnoxtious. it's not for everyone but tomei includes not 1, but 2 silencers for the muffler which makes it very commuter friendly without there being less desirable on the track/canyon roads for those that do drive their cars. Have fun and be safe out there.

[@taylorasbell7074]

I have an 03 with a completely custom exhaust built by my local shop, I get compliments all the time asking what I did to make it sound good, I know it's 3in all the way out, true dual and x piped in the middle and straight piped. If someone knows what they are doing they can sound good, but if you're 19 and take a hacksaw to the exhaust just to cut out the muffler they sound like ass, but I think that can be said for everything from Honda platforms to ls platforms

[@kevinohara8529]

I have a S550 Mustang GT and hate how a lot of people go for as raspy a note as possible, but I think the VQ35HR is the best sounding V6.

[@expo2000000]

350z twin turbo in tokyo drift sounded cool :P

[@GIOTEC2005]

Interesting vid- Do Hondas next lmao

[@MartiniWorksOfficial]

👀

[@fadinader7945]

Amazing video and Informative, all vq owners agree that motordyne exhaust is the best.

[@jakeparker8590]

What do you guys think is the best single exit?? I’ve been looking at the ISR and Megan racing single exits

[@ryanmcburrows8051]

ISR is hard to beat in my opinion.. paired with high flow cats. Its almost perfect

[@steadyboost7]

The Fujitsubo Legalis R should be included here as well! It's not cheap (something like $1,800), but you get all of the go with none of the annoying parts of the go.

[@MartiniWorksOfficial]

That is a hefty price tag, but sounds worth it!

[@itskidkelly]

I have one!

[@danielswiftzy3716]

I have one of these on my vq and have received many compliments from vq haters. It's a very good sounding exhaust

[@Drunken_Hamster]

There are two other things you may not have known about. One you CAN relatively easily change, and one that you CAN'T. *CAN:* In your headers, regardless of whether they're short or long tube, equal length or un-equal length, if the collector is a smooth merge with the little spike in the middle, it will smooth out the sound and cut down on rasp(also increase scavenging a bit). However, if the pipes just dump into the collector with a flat cutoff or a plate (this is called a baffle collector) or it's like one of those crimp and weld looking collectors, it will have MORE rasp and a fatter bite to the sound. *CAN'T:* Engines with two exhaust valves (4V and 5V engines) seem to have a raspier and higher-pitched exhaust note compared to their single exhaust valve (3V and 2V) cousins. This is evidenced by when Ford switched the modular motor platform over to the coyote heads compared to the richer, deeper, and smoother-sounding 2V and 3V 4.6. Another example is how almost every Mercedes engine in the early 2000s above 4 cylinders was 3 valves, then in the late 2000s/early 2010s they switched to 4 valves and every exhaust video I've found (even with equivalent/comparable setups) the newer engines are raspier. Also, X-pipes are generally more raspy than H's, but performance (meaning, increasing diameter post-merge) Y-pipes/single exits will be a touch smoother than X-pipes while still being higher pitched and more racey. H-pipes are smooth and a bit deeper than the other merges but may cause the cabin to drone more than an X or Y from what I've heard. Of course, these also depend on the specific design, kinda like how the header collectors affect things quite a bit.

[@mckinleywalcher2593]

Now hold on my current setup is equal length short headers on my HR that go into twin turbos that then go into the invidia Gemini dual cat back and it sounds amazing

[@quocd5580]

+1 invidia. Got mine used for $600, scratches here and there; there seems to be 1 available every 6 months on sale in Bay Area, CA. I see a lot of used Tomei's for $900 on the market, 2-3 usually.

[@williesworldofwheels]

I have a injen cat back exhaust. I think it sounds better and smoother than all of the rest. “Exotic” is how I’d like to put it.

[@iconicstance2994]

Don't de-cat, keep the res in and they sound phenomenal.

[@pauljr.harrington1905]

The Nvidia Gemini clip sounds really good.

[@GapedCeiling]

I can understand why people might dislike the sound from the outside....Those people should hear it from the driver seat...Its a much better sound when you are the one making it.

[@Ottobon_extra]

I think there is some things to be gained here but i couldn't agree less about bigger is better approach, even if some systems which use this as part of their strategy do work. Making a engine sound "smooth" the point it sounds limp isn't good either, and most oversized stuff does that. imo its more about the headers

[@Mugennunez]

Threw a Bassani with hi flows on my 03, never looked back.

[@IScoreUnderPressure4]

Im biased, but VQs actually sound great if you spend money on a good exhaust

[@THEsimpleThingsFR]

I have a weird Frankenstein exhaust setup and people tell me it’s one of the best sounding vq’s they’ve heard

[@surreaLinnovatioN]

JDM folks typically will accept that a single 3" is the biggest you 'need' and bad math allow people to think 2 2" are good enough or better. Dual 3 a single 4 does wonders as well, in combo with better headers.... Turbo(s) too, those always make it better 😈

[@z.33Bros]

I have a nismo s tune exhaust and I love the sound

[@Hondacbr600rrish]

I have a g37coupe with a motordyne exhaust with art pipes and z1 headers ❤ sound of the gods.

[@4renzicfiles92]

Get an Invidia Gemini w/ Berk HFC... sounds like the philharmonic

[@nbdxchance9010]

He didn’t mention the Motordyne exhaust😔😂makes my g sound nearly like a GTR😩🔥

[@pokFryRicebich]

How much louder is motordyne exhaust vs Stock. Anyone here please

[@jayw6321]

A crime not mentioning motordyne

[@undergroundriptiles7005]

Straight up

[@jtxp5942]

My mates 350z sounds fuckin awesome, xforce catback with plenum spacer *aus spec stuff* Sounds fucking awesome

[@dangerously9498]

Could you post a clip? I've not been able to find any other than from xforce. Might buy one in the future.

[@Daniel-jk9ge]

Yes post a clip

[@m4TT5]

Some Zs sound really good, some sound like crap. Depends on how the exhaust was tuned

[@alpz36]

Fast Intensions, AAM, SOHO Motorsports, Z1 Touring Catback, are all easily my picks for best exhausts on these cars

[@MartiniWorksOfficial]

Good call out 🤝

[@alpz36]

@@MartiniWorksOfficial Just some brands I don’t see talked about enough

[@SimpleEW]

How’d Motordyne not make the list? Lol

[@undergroundriptiles7005]

Exactly it’s the best one out there the whole community voted it 1st place overall

[@vhrjames]

i hate how the VHR gets wrapped into the VQ hate. it's insanely reliable and with a proper exhaust sounds amazing not to mention to cheap power it can make

[@tnez5377]

For 370z I think the Fast Intentions sounds the best and has a distinctive sound

[@highlyillogical9399]

If you want to really improve the sound, slap on a turbo and use a resonated exhaust system 👍

[@donrob4058]

I went back to stock. The DE are stupid loud with an aftermarket exhaust.

[@drc8i080i8]

Own the medallion for 5 years, perfect for daily and sounds acceptable to be seen driving as an adult.

[@hershellumiere]

The tanabe with long tubes and hi flow cats is the way.

[@Gabriel83580]

I invested in a double y exhaust built by ANZO exhaust 5" tips and catalytic delete,single resonator. I've bin told it Sounds like a DB9.

[@sosaesco1005]

What’s y’all’s take on a single ehxaust on a vq35de, non tomei

[@garborubbish7034]

Catback true duals with an x pipe and resonators will sound way better than a single exit even if you get shiny new long tube headers with it

[@OmegaBad]

Ive got a 350z, got a full japspeed k4 cat back and manifolds and she actually dont sound like a trumpet

[@JahMotordyneG]

G35 coupe owner. Motordyne full catback and Motordyne art pipes, jokes will never be on you. Grown man exhaust. Expensive but worth every penny !💪🏾 🚀

[@hecticv3624]

Motordyne art pipes, motordyne resonated y pipe and tomei is the best setup besides the actual motordyne exhaust 😂

[@jorgebiden5035]

Straight pipe with x pipe sounds sick🔥🔥 some ppl got not taste in noise

[@Axe_z33]

I have headers sitting waiting to be installed on my DE 😅

[@K_Swap_The_World_69]

Look I had an Infiniti J30 called Free Shavacado (lol) and it had the VG30DE the little bro to the VQ (I called it Free Shavacado after the Vine and I IMMORTALITY FUCKED IT UP for like 2 years, I tried to blow it up before I took it to the crushers because the trans went on it and I put a brick on the gas pedal for like an hour, it would not blow up lol) and it really didn't sound all that bad after I... Uhhh... Straight Piped It.... 🤣 Oh well I'm part of the problem (kinda)

[@_entrxpy]

Last part of the vid was all wrong. The only ways to make a VQ sound good are only two, not one more than two. And those two are: making it turbocharged, or making it a true dual exhaust (keeping the 2 engine banks separated).

[@ConeFlower-gx2qk]

Treating my car like a god damn filter sweep on a synthesizer

[@jazet-_-5641]

I’ve seen a few good sounding Z’s here on KZbin and they usually go with motordyne and have a crazy a good setup, so most of these bad sounding VQ’s have to be from people just doing the same exact thing and thinking it’s good

[@TheClarkZilla]

I deleted the muffler on my 370z and it sounds amazing. Totally worth it.

[@JeremyMikstay]

💀

[@6feetoveryou]

Resonators... resonators.. and more resonators

[@brunovazquez1]

The worst thing you can do is delete the resonator on any VQ. Also, a decent exhaust will make it sound decent. With motordyne, is quiet on low rpms and loud on high rpms.

[@unculturedswine9984]

i dont have resonators and it sounds great. it all comes down to what u put on it

[@melvinbrumski1446]

Can’t wait until more people discover J pipes for tuning exhaust tone

[@salahad-din3907]

Someone popularized the idea that VQs sound bad. Now everyone says it just to be “cool” but they don’t sound bad. They can sound bad like any other car with some dumb straight pipe setup or something cheap.

[@salihplayer480p6]

They sound wonderful.

[@monsis0140]

I have a stock exhaust 350z and it sounds amazing. I don't know why there is so much hate 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@TurbhoeHDRemix]

If you don't straight pipe it, they sound fine. My G37 literally only gets compliments and all I did was high flow cats, performance y pipe, and muffler delete

[@diegogomez5225]

VQ stock sound is one of the best sound ever just if it was a lil louder but other than that it nice is one of the best

[@driftingbrandonc.6480]

Hahahahahahaha

[@nathanhernandez4092]

Motordyne art pipe ISR test pipe Tomei or ISR single

[@TheDrAkira]

I have a 350z and sounds amazing as it is! I think is a trend, like the tunning scene in the FF 1. I fd you dont like agressive high tone exhaust, it's not my problem!

[@Aquarius42069]

Tomei cat back and isr y pipes is what I run on my Z doesn’t get much better IMO

[@AtZero138]

Sounds better than the Subaru Boxer... The Drone.. is what is heard from the VQ... I've seen comments here...with Recipes for helping this.. Sounding faster than you are.. is always annoying

[@tyriqbagnerise15]

Tomei super loud and raspy. That first exhaust just sucked. The last one is ehh alright. Now, resonated test pipes paired up with an ISR or Megan racing exhaust is👌🏾🎺 oh yeah and don’t forget to get an after market Y pipe bc the stock is also garbage. Hope this helped

[@tyriqbagnerise15]

Honorable mention, Motordyne whew they sound 🔥

[@tyriqbagnerise15]

I forgot Z1 Motorsports even has a single exit that sounds decent. Anything but A Tomei dude 😂

[@anthonyaubain]

Acura TL 04-08 por favor

[@undergroundriptiles7005]

Motordyne Exhaust & Motordyne Art pipes. Your Welcome.

[@BurninSnowMan]

I like the vq sound much better than near every honda engine.

[@johnpinky8]

Came for the memes and trombone jokes, stayed for the knowledge dump! But for real, I have a 370z and going to grab an exhaust at some point so it was fun to learn why things make sounds the way that they do. A lot more complex than one might think!

[@justintaylor9458]

I don't think they sound bad. The same people that say this will say an Sr20 sounds good.