Jump to content
SAU Community

Recommended Posts

OK, firstly, Yeah, I'm a noob, if you want to give me crap about it, that's fine, but I reserve the right to give you a kick in the figs later.

OK, so, I've got this GTS-4, so stock that it still has that new car smell. Mmmm mmm... leathery fresh... Anyway, I want to get a bit more out of it... Yeah, I've got the bug, my wallet is already starting to go bulemic, vomiting up money as fast as I can put it in there.

but apart from that, I got a few questions about my first few mods. I've searched the forums , and got a lot of conflicting views, and a lot of advice that assumes I'm willing to spend more on the car than what I bought it for, so if all these queries have been answered before, forgive me, or don't and your nads will meet my boot at some later occasion.

So. To start with, I thought the exhaust and intacke could use a trick. Bought an Apexi pod and adapter ($150) , and have my eye on an apexi N1 evolution exhaust system ($1.2k part), I've read some good reviews on the forums about the apexi exhaust, so I've decided that spending the extra dosh could be worth it.

The questions:

1. Do I need an engineers cert for these mods?

2. If I put them on myself, and then go to a place that can dyno tune an awd, will they sign off on the engineers cert?

3. Should I also look at a new cat, and other pipes? about how much is a good price for these, and any recommended brands?

4. any awd dyno places in melbourne anyone can recommend?

5. What's a fair price for fitting these two items if i can't be arsed, or if it works out easier to do it at the same place that has the dyno.

that's it. I'm on a budget (aren't we all) but I'd rather spend the cash initially to get it done right, than spend later to fix up problems made by inferior parts/ fitting.

And just to get it going, my future mod plans are mostly handling based, I'll throw on some strut bars, some coil overs, and maybe a lick of paint.

Well, any opinions? Oh and flamers, just remember my size 12's....

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/117978-gts-4-exhaust-ideas/
Share on other sites

No you don't need an engineers certificate for exhaust modifications, for two reasons. It is not related to safety, and exhaust components are regarded as expendable (like tyres, spark plugs, batteries and so on).

But whatever you do, it must still conform to certain legal requirements. There must be a functioning catalytic converter located in the original position, and noise must be within the legal limit. Ground and body clearance must be sufficient, it must not leak, and the exhaust exit must be located behind the last window that can be opened. Apart from that you can do pretty much whatever you like.

How much is entirely up to how much you want to spend.

if your going a full exhaust system get the high flow cat as the standard ones are quite crap

Yeah, I was looking at a metalcat, as these seem to be the most recommended on the forums.

I'll probably use a silencer, I want to have a sleeper. that's kind of why I picked a gts-4. It's a bit different.

Kind of funny about the past the last window bit though. I didn't know that. Guess no side mount exhaust for me, but it'd be legal to have a rooster tail exhaust?

well, I guess I'll bolt those bits on and take it to a dyno. Thanks guys.

er... Any particular awd dyno you can recommend?

If the new exhaust is not a turbo-back one, then keep looking. It is important to get the gasses away from the turbo as quickly as possible; opening the exhaust up after the cat does not achieve that end.

You don't need a pod; you will start feeding hot air into the engine, and the last thing a turbo needs to see is hot intake air. The factory air box flows quite well, in my experience. The problem is in the stupidly small (therefore restrictive) snorkel mounted on the underside of the LH headlamp. Remove the headlamp so you can remove and chuck the snorkel.

If the new exhaust is not a turbo-back one, then keep looking. It is important to get the gasses away from the turbo as quickly as possible; opening the exhaust up after the cat does not achieve that end.

OK, but I was thinking of getting the catback, adding a metalcat, and a 3" front pipe, won't that effectively make it a turbo-back, or am I off base?

It's also been a matter of what parts I can find, most places don't advertise price, and if I call up and sound like I don't know anything (which isn't far from the truth) I'll probably get my pants pulled down on the price, laughed at by everyone else, go into a downward spiral of drinking and self abuse, and then wake up one day in a pile of my own excrement wondering where my life all went wrong, then recalling my exhaust dilemma and cry myself into oblivion.

My personal preferences are to go for a HKS, Apexi or Kakimoto turbo back exhaust system, but finding a full turbo back system price has been impossible, hence the plan to build one from components.

Or am I hitting myself in the head with a tack hammer?

Try Asking Exhaust shops you dont really need to go spend big $$$ on a exhaust because you are paying for the brand name you should be able to get a turbo back 3'5" for around the 500 - 600 mark that will be Mandril bent SS, also the price would also go up and down because of the muff,

Also if you want a sleeper dont get a cannon every man and his dog has one on the back of the car.

I would go the POD and for $20 make your own CAI, much better

Try Asking Exhaust shops you dont really need to go spend big $$$ on a exhaust because you are paying for the brand name you should be able to get a turbo back 3'5" for around the 500 - 600 mark that will be Mandril bent SS, also the price would also go up and down because of the muff,

Also if you want a sleeper dont get a cannon every man and his dog has one on the back of the car.

I would go the POD and for $20 make your own CAI, much better

Yeah I got my own sheet steel and a set of tin snips that should let me make a CAI around the pod.

I might take the car into an exhaust shop and see what they say. I was leaning towards brand names for reliability and quality, but if there's not much difference, I'm certainly not afraid t save money.

Try Asking Exhaust shops you dont really need to go spend big $$$ on a exhaust because you are paying for the brand name you should be able to get a turbo back 3'5" for around the 500 - 600 mark that will be Mandril bent SS, also the price would also go up and down because of the muff,

Also if you want a sleeper dont get a cannon every man and his dog has one on the back of the car.

I would go the POD and for $20 make your own CAI, much better

where can you get mandrel bent stainless steel TURBO BACK exhausts custom made for 600 bucks? hook me up as i may be interested to run a group buy for stageas at that price!

Found this on uniqueautosports.com.au

X-FORCE STAINLESS EXHAUST SYSTEM FOR SKYLINE R32 & R33 GTS-T

TURBO BACK STAINLESS EXHAUST SYSTEM FOR SKYLINE R32 & R33 GTS-T WITH HIGH FLOW CAT INCLUDED

USES ONE PEICE DUMP/ENGINE PIPE.

COMPONENTS AVAILABLE SEPERATELY

FULL SYSTEM PRICE: $980.00

OR

CAT BACK PRICE: $725.00

OR

DUMP/ENGINE PIPE PRICE: $370.00

How does that look? although from what I see here, I don't understand why I can't buy a cat back exhaust, add a metalcat and a dump pipe to make it a turbo back. Still, it'd be cheaper to buy it all in one, and I suppose exhaust really is nothing more than a pipe with a cat and a muffler.

And it's also less than the cost of the apexi evolution for a whole system.

Try Asking Exhaust shops you dont really need to go spend big $$$ on a exhaust because you are paying for the brand name you should be able to get a turbo back 3'5" for around the 500 - 600 mark that will be Mandril bent SS, also the price would also go up and down because of the muff

says the bloke who wants to put 6 turbos on an rb20, in my opinion i would personally buy a brand name exhuast, there is no doubt that you do pay for the name, however you are also going to be sure your getting quality mufflers, decent thickness piping, proper bends, hangers line up,

get a car with a cheap exhuast, and sit it next to one with a china exhuast, looks, sound, quality there is no comparison

getyourself a batbml dump and a decent catback, the xforce systems are supposed to be ok for cheapies.

getyourself a batbml dump and a decent catback, the xforce systems are supposed to be ok for cheapies.

Sounds good, where can I get a batmbl dump, and how much am I looking at? A metal cat wil cost me about $300, Apexi N1 evolution cat back $1,100, add these to a dump pipe and i'm looking at about 2 grand if I do the install myself and get it dyno'd, I'm guessing.

Still, that amount might even be worth it. It's a bit more than the $1500 I'd intended to spend, but if it'll get me a few more AWKW, I'm all happy, and I'm yet to hear anyone complain about an apexi exhaust.

Kind of funny about the past the last window bit though. I didn't know that. Guess no side mount exhaust for me, but it'd be legal to have a rooster tail exhaust?

Not that funny really. They are worried about exhaust fumes getting back into the car if you run with a back window open. So in a passenger car, you cannot usually bring the exhaust out in front of a back wheel, but in a ute you could.

Same with a truck, side exhaust anywhere behind the cab is fine, or a vertical stack is o/k but it must be behind the last widow that can be opened.

There are also rules about not having the exhaust pipe projecting out beyond rear bumper. It is all fairly obvious stuff.

Edited by Warpspeed
Not that funny really. They are worried about exhaust fumes getting back into the car if you run with a back window open. So in a passenger car, you cannot usually bring the exhaust out in front of a back wheel, but in a ute you could.

Same with a truck, side exhaust anywhere behind the cab is fine, or a vertical stack is o/k but it must be behind the last widow that can be opened.

There are also rules about not having the exhaust pipe projecting out beyond rear bumper. It is all fairly obvious stuff.

Yeah, it's not really something I'm after, though side mount exhausts might be cool, i't probably rather keep it simple for now.

here you go, he sells good cats to, so maybe have a chat to him about that too if you havnt got one lined up?

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/in...topic=74022&hl=

Even a second hand jap exhuast is fine, so long as the mufflers have no loose chunks, and its in decent condition, you can save yourself a fair wack of money too, if your on a budget,

having sayed that, if you do buy that apexi setup, youll never look back

Edited by Jolinator
here you go, he sells good cats to, so maybe have a chat to him about that too if you havnt got one lined up?

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/in...topic=74022&hl=

Even a second hand jap exhuast is fine, so long as the mufflers have no loose chunks, and its in decent condition, you can save yourself a fair wack of money too, if your on a budget,

having sayed that, if you do buy that apexi setup, youll never look back

Thanks, I think I'm kind of set on the apexi set up, I'd rather spend the extra for the quality. If I was all about saving cash, I'd buy one off ebay. I'll probably go the batmbl twin dump, and maybe even a catco cat if they're recommended.

I can just hear it now.

Thanks to everyone who's helped me here.

you don't need a 4wd dyno to dyno your GTS4. Just pull the 4wd fuse and its fine for a 2wd dyno.

Thats the way most GTR and GTS4 get tuned including mine....

Just noticed your in the SAU VIC Club, have i seen you one one of the cruises? We should meet up next time...

Meh it was a Idea about the 6 Turbo's Just wanted to put it out there and see what ppl say no need to bag me out about it.

Also Just because its a brand name doesnt mean that it isnt just as good as someone who is a exhaust expert and could make you the same for cheaper. And sound :thumbsup: if it flows and does the job who cares what it sounds like and really I dont think I have heard a crappy sounding skyline. Even my mates R32 with a 25 in it he brought a cheap turbo back exhaust and sounds mint. Also try looking at importing one thats second hand even.

you don't need a 4wd dyno to dyno your GTS4. Just pull the 4wd fuse and its fine for a 2wd dyno.

Thats the way most GTR and GTS4 get tuned including mine....

Just noticed your in the SAU VIC Club, have i seen you one one of the cruises? We should meet up next time...

only just joined, haven't been out with the group yet, but hell, yeah, I'd be keen to meet up and maybe pick your brain a bit about the mysterious and wonderous GTS-4

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • Join SAU NSW for a flame-grilled feed & flame-spitting cruise! Sunday 17th August 2025 3:30PM Meeting Archies Flame Grille Sylvania Waters 4:45PM Cruise Departure 5:15PM Arrival at Cape Solander Kurnell Meet Location: Archies Flame Grille Final Destination: Cape Solander Kurnell *Disclaimer* There will be a lead and follow car so no one should get lost. If you would like to attend or bring others along please put your name down and a +1 as numbers will be needed prior! This is NOT a race and we will all be adhering to all road rules. If this is what you want please come to one of our many track days. This is an official SAU:NSW event and will be run under a CAMS permit. One of the things that really sets our club apart is our commitment to being true enthusiasts. When on normal roads we strive to maintain good relations with the authorities as well as the public in general. When attending one of Skylines Australia NSW events please try to: • Be aware of surrounding environment and act accordingly. • Drive courteously on the state’s roads as a true enthusiast should. • Understand how important it is to maintain the good name of SAU NSW and thus, treat others accordingly. • Any misbehavior will not be tolerated and you will be asked to leave.
    • Yeah good luck out there! Will be good to see a mighty GTST going harder than the GTRs
    • i will be there 😁
    • Hello!  i just finished manual swaping my r34 skyline with a r33 rb20de box(RB71C)box  When the car is running it squeaks crazy loud and it was smoking from the gearbox area. The gearbox is fine it was tested. The clutch slave cylinder seems like it doesn't fully releases the clutch. I want to ask if this noise is from the throw out bearing or could it be the clutch assembly or disk att.xFliq87Gzw6kImKBVqDebXkj0fBqymk0JaYeP3_3SlM.mp4
    • A few small updates since the previous post and lessons. I decided to do a little interior light upgrade on the 110. I quite like the iilumo items, even if they're a bit of a premium over other brands. You'll also note the Stedi Fogs, that will go into the S15 fog lights as I needed to match the bulbs since I got the new ones earlier. I hope they fit as the body is quite a bit longer than your normal bulb.  Annoyingly, I managed to trip the fuse, which normally wouldn't be an issue until I located the fuse. I can't say I've ever come across this. I had lucked out that someone nearby had a spare, but oddly enough Toyota dealerships seem to keep this in stock. I ordered some to keep in my stash and as luck would have it, someone else nearby tripped the same fuse so I passed on the favour.  I also did a little service on the 110 ahead of some additional work coming up. It's been annoying that Goleby's stopped carrying this particular HKS filter for the 110, so now I need to keep them on order from Japan. I also took the opportunity to install a bash plate and number plate riser. The plate riser is such a cheap but nice fix to help really tidy up the car. I'm tempted to now also replace my headlights, on this car. Both items were from Project Aero.    I also needed to replace the rear tyres on the 110, and after trying to get it aligned learnt that I need to replace some bushes in the front end, so that's next.  Closing out this update with a nicer picture as always! 
×
×
  • Create New...