Not long until TRAX now, so we’d better get some more bits sorted!
Cast your mind back a month or so and you’ll remember that it was the run up to Japfest Donington. The weather was hot enough to make the camels in London Zoo wonder if they’d been sent home early for good behaviour and I was sweating away in the workshop getting the 350Z ready for the show. In the last issue we talked about getting the big, bad Zed sitting pretty on some PB coilovers before the event, but there were a couple of other touches that we didn’t get to showcase here in the FC Projects section, the first being one of the most mental exhaust systems we’ve ever clapped our eyes on.
Now admittedly, the 350Z already had a swanky aftermarket backbox, we’ve no idea where it came from and it sounded pretty good too, but the rest of the system really had seen better days. The best solution then (especially as the publisher is picking up the tab), would be to junk the whole lot in favour of a brand new Japspeed K4 system.
As you can see from the pictures, the design of this thing is a little off-the-wall, but it’s easily one of the best-looking systems out there. What’s also nice is that they include the extra pipe extensions to make it fit the V35 Skyline… so don’t panic as much as I did if you’re slapping one on a 350Z and there’s a couple of bits left over. Anyway, this system also includes the all-important Y-pipe which replaces the restrictive (and prone-to-rust) factory item. What’s more, once I’d removed the rusty nuts on the original by ranting and raving at them with plenty of blue language (you mean using your angle grinder right Midge? – Jules), the actual system was an absolute doddle to fit.
As you’d expect from the guys at Japspeed, the K4 comes with all the bolts and gaskets you need to get it all bolted on nicely. This one sounds just as bonkers as it looks too, especially at full chat, and it’ll not only free up a few more horses but should vastly improve throttle response. The one thing I still can’t get over, though, is that it has to be one of the most unique designs out there.
So much so in fact, that I thought it necessitated a spot of air saw bumper surgery. Apparently, the cool kids call this a ‘bumper tuck’ which is all very lovely. Personally, I call it ‘lopping a bit off so you can see the thing’. In any case it would almost be a shame to hide away this stainless-steel work of art, and there’s no denying it’s transformed the arse-end of this motor. It’s like a Kim-K selfie or somethin’… all that sexyful junk in the trunk!
Of course, Japspeed also make some hardcore de-cat pipes to go with it but, because we’re duty bound to keep everything nice and MoT friendly for the new owner, we’ve kept the OEM cats in place.
The same can be said for the other end of the engine. We have no idea who’ll be winning this car at TRAX, or their insurance status, so from the very start, I’ve been told I have to leave the original airbox in place. What wasn’t mentioned however was the intake hose, so I couldn’t resist spending about 23-seconds swapping it over with this 5-ply silicone item from Mishimoto. This far less-restrictive pipe will release a few horsepowers on its own and can also be used with an aftermarket filter should the new owner choose to fi t one. It also looks the part but, most of all, the OEM airbox is still there, right? That’s no harm, no foul in my book!
But, there’s plenty more to do before we get to hit Silverstone; better put the kettle on and get cracking…
SPENT:
Japspeed K4 Exhaust System £499
Mishimoto Intake £68
TOTAL £567
See more of the FAST CAR BANZAI NISSAN 350Z
