Exhaust: Rice or not?

"Lekker" (z34nismo) 05/09/2014 at 14:41 • Filed to: None

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I will be the first to admit it, most stock exhausts are limiting and drown the magic sound of the amazing thing we know as combustion engine. Some of us may like it quiet, some may not. I personally enjoy a good sound. But at the same time, it is so hard to get an exhaust that sounds nice without sounding like a big-ol' fart can.

I am very lucky to have a fun fast-ish car, but I absolutely hate the fact that it is so quiet. Let me show you what I mean:

This video isn't mine, but you can tell this is a cold start and it sounds... well less than fantastic. There is some noise, but it sounds too mechanical, not harmonious enough. So in my quest for exhausts I stumbled upon many many different ones, but they all sounded too rice-y. These are the ones I've found

This first one is from Fast Intentions. It is the most popular one for the 370s, and it sounds quite decent. This video makes it sound really deep, where as in others... well:

So to me this sounds in the limit of exaggerated, or ricey.

The other alternative, is the Motordyne e370, which sounds like this:

Here is a second, different recording of it at WOT:

I personally think the motordyne system sounds like a top notch exhaust, but I am not sure if it is just me.

EDITED TO ADD:

ARK performance:

So my question to you guys is, which of the two do you think sounds better without sounding like it has a huge fart can? Keep in mind cameras do not pickup these sounds very well. Thanks for your suggestions!

Have an NSX for your time:

Party-vi > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 14:46

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Wants good exhaust noise

Has VQ engine

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 14:47

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My guide for rice or not is, loud under 1500rpm usually ricey. Loud at higher revs under load is fine. Guy near me has a car that farts away loudly at idle and just sounds daft.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 14:48

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I've found with v6's and I6's I prefer the sound of a system that replaces much of the length of the stock duals with a single large diameter pipe.

In the case of my SHO, it would be replacing 2x 2.25 diameter with one 3" diameter pipe all the way back till it splits off to the rear mufflers. I got to hear a video today of someone that did that. It's similar to what Nissan does on the GTR.

In other words it's the BEST sounding solution of heard, based on youtube comparisons, for my car.

stock (explorer sport is practically the same drivetrain as an SHO):

modified:

Lekker > Party-vi 05/09/2014 at 14:49

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Lol the older VQ had an AMAZING sound even stock. IDK what they were thinking when they made this one.

Also, sarcasm?

Lekker > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 05/09/2014 at 14:50

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That sounds so gnarly. That idea is to go from a 2" to a 2.5 or 3" all around. But some just open up too much and lose pressure.

Lekker > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 05/09/2014 at 14:50

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That is a very good way to think about it. I like that

Crest > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 14:52

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Whatever you get, make sure the highway drone is minimal. Had a nice exhaust on my genesis coupe but the drone drove me crazy. Never again

OPPOsaurus WRX > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 14:55

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its hard to compare the 1st one with how they had a professional sound system and the others were pprobably phones. I liked the deep sound of the first one

Lekker > Crest 05/09/2014 at 14:55

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Yeah drone is a huge problem. Sadly its not like I can install it and if its too loud return it

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 14:57

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It really doesn't lose I whole lot of pressure, I don't think, because it turns the stock dual into one large diameter pipe.

Also with a single pipe you need less diameter than you'd think because the reduced surface area also improves the flow when compared with duals.

Another advantage? Yes. You only need one cutout, if you want to do cutouts :D

Party-vi > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 14:59

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I've never heard a VQ exhaust note that didn't make me cringe - they sound tinny and hollow. Also yes, there was a little bit of sarcasm there :)

Lekker > OPPOsaurus WRX 05/09/2014 at 15:00

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yeah I'm totally with you on that one. I don't really think it sounds that deep in person

Lekker > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 05/09/2014 at 15:01

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This is true. That is an advantage. I don't have a true dual exhaust, as I have a Y pipe stock. Which is another reason I don't want to go with a huge diameter pipe.

Lekker > Party-vi 05/09/2014 at 15:03

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Pffftttt. Fine

Although here is your proof:

I personally think that sounds pretty great

YSI-what can brown do for you > Party-vi 05/09/2014 at 15:03

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They can sound good. You just gotta get the right parts!

Chteelers > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 15:04

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Check out ARK performance. I got that on my 370Z. It was a huge improvement over the stock sound, and definately doesn't sound ricey. I prefer the more lower, throaty, burbly sound of the ARK than some of the other systems, which sounded more high pitched and shouty. Also, zero drone at any revs, all sound comes out the back.

It's burned in and quieted down quite a bit from when it was new. Enough that I want to add high-flow cats to make it a touch louder. On a loudness scale of Camry 0 to straight pipe Harley 10, I would say the stock volume was about a 2/10, ARK new was about a 6/10, and now burned in about a 5/10.

Lekker > Chteelers 05/09/2014 at 15:07

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TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT ARK! Yes... they do sound mean. Do you happen to have a clip of yours after burn-in? I plan to do LTH and HFC's, so I'm sure it will be louder than without them, but there will be a large gap between getting the exhaust and the other parts since they're not cheap.

BondoSpecial > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 15:08

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I love the VQ engine (I have a 2011 Infiniti M37x) but I would never put a loud exhaust on one of these....or really any v6 or 4 cylinder engine.....It's the v8s and v12s that make beautiful noise...I would enjoy it for what it is and leave it alone.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 15:10

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With exhaust, especially in terms of tone, you get what you pay for. Personally I think the VQ is one of the best sounding "common" engines out there with a nice exhaust on it. Between those two, I think the Motordyne sounds better. However, my favorite is the Amuse R1 Titan:

I do find it funny that the 350z tends to sound better than the 370z though, at least in my opinion.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 05/09/2014 at 15:14

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Also, one thing that has always bugged me with these exhaust sound check videos: why do so many guys leave in the part of them setting down the camera and then walking to and getting in their car?! It's just so unnecessary and easy to cut out haha Just a pet peeve of mine.

Lekker > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 05/09/2014 at 15:16

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i agree the 350 sounded better, I always thought so. I had not heard of the R1 before, it sounds like the ARK. I added a video of the ARK to the post for comparison, it is really close to this one. The Amuse sounds like it might have more drone at around 70 tho

Chteelers > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 15:21

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Sorry, I don't have any clips of mine. It sounds pretty much like all the vids I saw online of other people though. After a couple thousand miles, it sounds a bit smoother than the online vids, and maybe one rotary notch down on the volume knob.

The biggest gain in sound will be from the cat-back system, so no worry about putting off the lth and hfc for now.

In addition to the good price, one extra thing I liked about the ARK was the blued tips and the visibility of the cans from behind. Gives it a mean, purposeful look. One slightly annoying bit was that I had to bring it back to the shop a second time after about 200 miles to have the hangers adjusted a bit. This system gets close to a frame crossmember, and once the rubber hangers stretch a bit, it will rub and make a buzzing noise. My shop did a quick adjustment for free, so not really a big deal, just an extra overnight dropoff/pickup. Seems to be a common issue among other people.

Party-vi > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 15:22

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Ew to my ears haha. As long as you like it that's what matters.

Party-vi > YSI-what can brown do for you 05/09/2014 at 15:23

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DAMN that's more like it!

Chteelers > Chteelers 05/09/2014 at 15:25

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Oh, I got the GRIP 2 (they make a couple styles IRRC), and I think I had an online promo code or got a july 4 special deal or something. One extra bonus after burn-in is that it developed a really nice burbly popping on downshifts. Sounds cooler than that description.

Lekker > Chteelers 05/09/2014 at 15:25

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Ah no worries. It does sound gnarly, I posted a video of one that I liked on the actual article. Is it sort of like it?

I really can't wait to get an exhaust, I get mad when I give it some weelie and it sounds so bland and not exciting in my opinion.

Darn, I was considering installing it myself to be honest, but after that I may want to take it somewhere to get that issue checked out. Or install it and take it to a shop to check the work.

raygone > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 15:26

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Even though it's far too much for the street, open rally exhaust!

And now for the more serious answer: I'll definitely have to go for the ARK one. nice tone, not too ricey in general.

Lekker > YSI-what can brown do for you 05/09/2014 at 15:26

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God damn!!!!!!!!!

I do plan to get LTHs and HFCs

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 15:26

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It does sound a lot like the ARK. I almost posted the ARK too, but they sounded so similar I didn't. I prefer the Amuse, I just generally like them as a company. It will run you an extra $1000 or so more than the ARK (or Motordyne for that matter) but the whole system only weighs in at just over 20lbs

Lekker > raygone 05/09/2014 at 15:27

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Ah yes! this video makes me wanna eargasm... Check this one out:

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 15:29

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And yeah, the 350Zsounds better haha

Lekker > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 05/09/2014 at 15:31

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Interesting. I knew Amuse was pretty bg for aftermarket parts on 370z, but I had no idea they also made exhausts, and such nice sounding ones. Since the wife is just now allowing me to drop some $ on an exhaust I will probably go with the ARK, since it has the most refined sound (and almost can't tell a difference from the Amuse), and if I want the car to be 20lbs lighter I'll just stop being a fatass and workout lol.

raygone > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 15:33

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Ugh... yes. There are so many things right with rally 370zs. (Or even rally Zs in general, considering their heritage).

feather-throttle-not-hair > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 15:33

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Hmm I think the ARK and the Motordyne sound the best. I'd be worried about them being too loud though. Sports cars are ticket baiting enough.

Personally I love the sound of the VQ35 from the outside. I own and DD a 350Z with a stock exhaust. Love the sound from the outside, but it admittedly kinda sounds like butt on the inside.

Here's how my stock 350Z sounds, some tire noise as well.

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Lekker > raygone 05/09/2014 at 15:35

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Oh so true. They look out of place, but then you see them run.

Man i really want that first one you posted to be mine..nhngnhnghngnhg

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 15:36

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Right on. Well the actual weight difference between the Amuse and ARK (or any SS exhaust for that matter) is probably closer to 40-60lbs, since it's a full titanium system. Hence the $2,800+ price tag. lol

You might also check out Type One Racing (More commonly known as T1R). They run just over $1k (generally in the $1,300 range) and still sound great. Really common on S2000s

YSI-what can brown do for you > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 15:36

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Yeah, the best way to make any car sound amazing is to get headers, long tubes are even better! I woulds start with headers first, and work my way back. Usually the stock exhaust is enough to keep things quiet. Plus they won't sound like a fart can. The car above has a 3.5" straight pipe exhaust no cats no nothing. No hint of rasp!

YSI-what can brown do for you > raygone 05/09/2014 at 15:38

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THIS IS GLORIOUS!!

Lekker > feather-throttle-not-hair 05/09/2014 at 15:38

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Very nice!!!

I totally agree. I had a 350 and I loved driving it thorugh tall buildings to hear the exhust sounds resonate all across my campus. Your ride sounds incredibly good.

Regarding tickets and attention, i don't care. I don't drive like an ass in open roads, so if I get pulled over I know they just want to try and stick me with something. I've been pulled over twice now and they couldn't get me on anything since I wasn't speeding. I leave my aggressive driving for the track >:D

Lekker > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 05/09/2014 at 15:41

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Holy crap that actually sounds really nice. Except they have to add test pipes, and that is a big nono for me. LTH and HFC is all I am considering.

I had not realized it was titanium eniterly. That explains a lot. 50-60 lbs? Shit.. I need to A) lose a lot of weight, which is easy bc im tall or b) get a titanium system.

I hate you

Lekker > YSI-what can brown do for you 05/09/2014 at 15:42

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Shit, you're a genius. For the cost I can probably do LTH's and HFCs at once, then wait another few months and drop the cat-back. What do you think?

Lekker > YSI-what can brown do for you 05/09/2014 at 15:42

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I won't lie, I extracted the sound of this one and made it my ring tone a while back

feather-throttle-not-hair > raygone 05/09/2014 at 15:42

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raygone > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 15:43

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Do it! The only way I can see it being doable though is if you get a custom exhaust made, and are super buddy buddy with your inspection guys. The first part is "easy"; just do what supercars do (if i remember correctly) to pass noise ordinances, butterfly valves! Second part, not so easy.

Lekker > raygone 05/09/2014 at 15:44

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Eventually it will be a track-only car so then it will be mine!

raygone > YSI-what can brown do for you 05/09/2014 at 15:45

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It's made my top 5 of car sound videos on YT. The other 4 are 787Bs.

raygone > feather-throttle-not-hair 05/09/2014 at 15:47

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The word "yes" is not enough to describe this, but I can't think of anything else to say.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 15:50

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Here's one with the cats on. The way they rev it is weird, but the T1R system still sounds great.

Lol yeah most of the high end tuner's top shelf exhausts are full titanium. The J's Racing 70RR for the S2k might just be one of my favorite exhaust notes on any Japanese car.

Lekker > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 05/09/2014 at 15:52

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The rev sounds weird because it clips (in other words its too loud for the camera, kind of like an over saturated picture).

Bloody Nora that sounds amazing. I've always loved S2ks, this one just sounds so magnificent! But I bet that would get tiresome if you DD it

jkm7680 > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 15:56

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I'd say nice, Since the Z is a quick car. It's pretty reasonable to have a nice note coming from the exhaust. I'd personally avoid those "Colored" tips (I don't know if there is a specific word for them) But it's really all up to you.

Infiniti on the other hand, has been pretty consistent on giving their cars a great sounding stock note. Something that most other manufacturers don't do standard. Even that Fx thing has a nice sound to it.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 15:58

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I was sooooo close to getting a super nice AP1 about a year ago when I lived in Arizona. Insanely clean, low miles, and a good price. But with what my paychecks were at the time, I'd have no money to do anything else really. And of course I'd be dying to throw on a bunch of aftermarket stuff, especially with a shop like Science of Speed just a 30min drive away. haha I'm sure DD would kinda suck after awhile, especially with that essentially non-existent trunk, but I would do it. S2K is one of my dream cars, and I will own one someday. I absolute love them. And when you throw on a J's Racing exhaust and add forced induction... oh man. Too awesome. lol

Lekker > jkm7680 05/09/2014 at 15:59

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Could not agree with you more. And the name of it is Burnt Tip. I kind of like it, to be honest. But would probably not get it. Idk. The tip (giggity) is the list of my worries.

I always wanted to get the exhaust of the FX in my murano since they have the same engine. Somehow they make it sound better than the current generation Z's...wtf nissan?

Lekker > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 05/09/2014 at 16:01

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Where in AZ? I lived in Tucson for 8 years. I'll be back soon.... I miss that its always perfect driving weather haha. I'm actually going to visit my wife in two weeks, yay heat.

Yeah the s2k is just a gem of a car. I test drove many but they were all too modded, so I backed off. AP1's are super hard to find without being mod crazy unfortunately.

jkm7680 > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 16:02

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Haha, No clue what they were thinking by making an SUV have a better exhaust note than the sports car. The Q60 has a fairly nice exhaust sound though, Which makes more sense.

The exhaust may be interchangeable from the Fx to the Murano. Length or spacing and that type of thing might be a bit of an issue though.

Lekker > jkm7680 05/09/2014 at 16:05

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Its the same length. I did some extensive research, it would have been a "plug n play", but since my parents took the Murano back to Mexico when they moved back I just never had a chance. I still tease my dad about it, and he says "well shut up and do it. You know I love how it sounds", lol. He still hasn't seen my nismo, he is stoked. I am gonna drive to AZ in december when they come visit. Maybe I'll have my new exhaust by then and he will be super jelly >:D

jkm7680 > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 16:09

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Haha, Super Jelliness is a must! Make sure to bring an Fx exhaust back to stick on the Murano while nobody is looking :)

Lekker > jkm7680 05/09/2014 at 16:10

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Hahahaha! That would be epic. But I think he is looking at getting a GLK or MDX or something bland like that. He wants a motorcycle to russle his jimmies instead. But stupid mexico doesn't sell any of the cool ones.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 16:11

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I actually have found a decent number of stock S2Ks in AZ. Especially around Mesa, Scottsdale, and Fountain Hills area. Old retired people buy them as weekend cruising cars because they are a relatively cheap sporty convertible. I grew up in Mesa and lived in Scottsdale for a year before moving to Illinois in January for an awesome new job, in the auto industry! :D haha I miss mountains though, and having friends. Making friends at 25 is tough. lol But now that it's not snowing anymore and I will be off my crutches in 3 more weeks (after a total of 1o!) it should be easier. haha

jkm7680 > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 16:13

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Haha, Just keep him away from bland! From what I remember, you were looking at a V-Rod? For him. Otherwise, I feel that he could use a Triumph Bonneville also.

Lekker > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 05/09/2014 at 16:14

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Nice! Yeah I saw a number of them as opposed to none in other places. But still they are pretty rare, well at least last I checked. I haven't looked in a few years. Ha I moved to Kansas city for a job myself, last August. I'm only 23 and still have a hard time making friends... I'm too honest and ppl can't deal with me not sugar-coating shit I suppose.

Did ya fall in the snow? What are you driving up there now?

Lekker > jkm7680 05/09/2014 at 16:17

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Eh, he likes bland now unfortunately. Since its him, my mom and sister he is all about safety. If it was just him I bet you he would rock something extravagant.

He REALLY wants this:

M109R. I don't think he would get into a boneville sadly, he is more of a big mean looking bike.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 16:17

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Fell on ice and broke my femur. That really sucked. haha I'm driving the rwd '05 4Runner I brought from AZ. That was fun in the snow. Made drives to work feel like a rally stage. lol But I'm gonna get rid of it this summer (July or August probably) and most likely buy a Focus ST.

jkm7680 > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 16:20

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Oooohhh, That's super pretty. That's a mean looking one for sure.

Lekker > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 05/09/2014 at 16:22

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That sounds painful as shit lol. did you drive the 4runner to Illinois? I bet that trip was fun! Shit i would have loved to hoon more in the snow, but with summer only shoes it was more scary and dumb than fun. With snow shoes... I would have been out driving every day all day ahah.

Focus ST.. that is quite different from an s2k I'd say. What makes you like it?

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 16:28

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Yeah it was insanely painful. For about 6 hours the muscles were spasmming over top of the break, which is absolutely the most painful experience of my life (and I've had 3 open heart surgeries lol). The doctors actually told me that what I went through is considered to be as painful or more painful than child birth. And I can guarantee everyone on the same hospital floor as me knew it. lol

I did drive the 4Runner from AZ. It has all-seasons, so still a little riskier than running it with snow tires haha.

What I like about the Focus ST is that it seems to satisfy nearly all of the factors I'm looking for in my next car. It's a good looking car, without being super flashy or aggressive. It is practical, 4 doors and plenty of cargo room. (I do a lot of fishing and want to get a kayak, so it can fit all my rods in it and a kayak on top.) It's fairly efficient for a performance car. It got good safety ratings from the NHTSA. And it's still has plenty of power and from everything I've read/heard (since I haven't driven one yet) it handles amazingly. As soon as I'm off crutches I am going to go test drive both the FoST and the FiST.

Chteelers > Lekker 05/09/2014 at 16:41

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Yes, it sounds pretty much like what you posted. In the video, there's a bit of a breathy, airy sound on top that is either an artifact of their recording equipment or maybe induction noise from an aftermarket cone intake. But mine doesn't have that breathiness, just the lower throaty sounds. And the vibrato effect isn't as pronounced after burning in, so it's the same sound just smoother. Also, there's more burbles as the engine drops back down the revs. In this video, I don't really hear that.

I wouldn't sweat doing the install yourself. I would have done mine but my willingness to do big car projects has dwindled over the years. I don't think it would have been hard to do, maybe a bit time consuming. Less so if you have access to a lift. And you'd probably just have to go under and adjust the hangers a bit after they stretch and take a set. The hangers are gonna stretch whether you do it or a shop does it.

I'd seen a couple install guides with pics on the web, so do a little google research and you should find some helpful stuff.

TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H! > Lekker 05/15/2014 at 15:53

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Same here. I think we just figured out how to encrypt oppo.