Best 370Z Exhaust Systems: Daily, Loud, Premium, and Budget Picks

The Nissan 370Z sounds muted from the factory, but the fix is not as simple as buying the loudest cat-back you can find. The VQ37VHR can sound deep and exotic with the right exhaust, or raspy and tiring with the wrong combination of cat-back, y-pipe, high-flow cats, test pipes, and headers. If you are planning a broader engine build, our VQ37VHR engine guide covers the platform behind these exhaust choices.

For most street-driven 370Zs, the Invidia Gemini is still the easiest exhaust to recommend. It has broad fitment, a clean dual-exit look, strong retailer review volume, and a moderate sound level that works on daily drivers. If you want the best premium tone, Motordyne ShockWave is the enthusiast pick. If you want loud single-exit personality and serious weight reduction, Tomei Expreme Ti, Z1 Single Exit Race, and GReddy RS-Race are the better fit.

This guide focuses on 2009-2020 Nissan 370Z cat-back, y-pipe-back, and axle-back exhaust systems. The later 2023+ Nissan Z uses a different platform and should not be treated as the same fitment.

How we chose these 370Z exhausts

We checked current manufacturer and retailer fitment pages, recent Z1 customer reviews, long-running MY350Z and Nissan forum discussions, 370Z-focused exhaust guides, and brand pages from Invidia, Motordyne, Fast Intentions, ARK, Stillen, Tomei, Z1, and GReddy.

The owner-sentiment pattern is consistent: the Gemini is repeatedly described as a safe moderate system, Tomei and GReddy are loved by buyers who want loud lightweight sound, and Motordyne or Fast Intentions are the aspirational choices when budget and wait time are less important. Test pipes and non-resonated components are the fastest way to turn a good exhaust into a raspy one, so this guide weights livability and setup context heavily.

370Z exhaust comparison

Exhaust	Best for	Layout	Sound level	Main tradeoff
Invidia Gemini	Best overall street setup	Dual cat-back	Moderate	Too tame for some buyers
Stillen Cat-Back	Mature street sound	Dual cat-back	Moderate	Less exciting than premium enthusiast systems
HKS Super Sound Master	Refined JDM tone	Dual cat-back	Mild-moderate	Expensive and harder to source
Tomei Expreme Ti	Loud lightweight single exit	Single cat-back	Loud	Too loud for many daily drivers
Z1 Single Exit Race	Current value single exit	Single cat-back	Loud	NISMO fitment not always confirmed
GReddy RS-Race	Maximum volume	Single cat-back	Very loud	102 dB without optional silencer
Motordyne ShockWave	Best premium tone	True dual X-pipe cat-back	Moderate-loud	Expensive and stock varies
Fast Intentions TDX	Custom true dual setup	True dual cat-back	Configurable	Build lead time and options
ARK GRiP	Premium anti-drone dual	True dual cat-back	Moderate-loud	Price
STM Axle-Back	Cheap muffler-delete sound	Axle-back	Loud	Not a full cat-back
Rev9 / DNA Motoring	Lowest-cost cat-back	Cat-back	Loud	Fitment and finish variability

Best Daily Driver 370Z Exhausts

These are the exhausts to start with if your 370Z sees commuting, freeway drives, strict neighborhoods, or stock catalytic converters. They still make the car sound like a sports car, but they are less likely to punish you at 70 mph.

The Invidia Gemini is the best 370Z exhaust for most street cars because it makes the VQ37 sound deeper and more expensive without turning every drive into a sound-level test. Current Z1 fitment lists it for 2009+ Nissan 370Z models, and the product page shows strong review volume with recurring praise for fitment, packaging, moderate sound, and low rasp.

Review analysis suggests the Gemini is not the right choice for someone who wants maximum volume. Several buyers say it is quieter than expected at idle, then wakes up under load. That is exactly why it works as the default recommendation. On stock cats, it gives the car more character while keeping highway use reasonable.

Buy the Gemini if you want the exhaust you are least likely to regret. Skip it if you already know you want a loud single exit or a more exotic premium true dual.

Stillen’s 370Z cat-back is the mature street alternative to the Gemini. Current Stillen pages list 2009-2020 Z34 fitment, 304 stainless construction, polished dual-wall tips, bolt-on installation, and a limited lifetime warranty. Stillen also markets the system around an aggressive tone without annoying drone.

Owner discussions tend to place Stillen in the sensible street category rather than the loudest or most exotic category. That can be a good thing. If the 370Z is a weekend cruiser or commuter, Stillen is more aligned with long-term comfort than a race-style single exit.

Buy it if you want a stainless dual-exit cat-back from a Nissan-focused brand. Skip it if you want the strongest enthusiast reputation for sound; Motordyne and Fast Intentions own that conversation.

The HKS Super Sound Master is the refined JDM pick for buyers who want quality and tone more than raw volume. It has long been one of the nicer-sounding 370Z options, but it is not always as easy to buy new in the US as Gemini, Stillen, Tomei, or Z1 options.

Because availability varies, verify the exact product and seller before buying. If you find a clean current listing, this is a strong choice for a car that should sound expensive rather than simply loud.

Best Loud 370Z Exhausts and Single-Exit Picks

The loud 370Z exhaust category is where buyers need the most honest guidance. A single exit can sound excellent and save a lot of weight, but test pipes, headers, and non-resonated y-pipes can push the car from fun to tiring.

The Tomei Expreme Ti is the iconic loud 370Z exhaust. Z1’s current listing describes the full cat-back as under 18 pounds, more than 50 pounds lighter than stock, and the recent review history is exactly what you would expect: buyers praise the sound, installation, packaging, and dramatic weight reduction.

The same review set also shows why it should not be the overall daily-driver pick. Owners call it loud, head-turning, and aggressive, and several note that test pipes make it much more intense. If your 370Z has stock cats and you want the full single-exit personality, it is one of the best choices. If you already have catless parts or a long commute, think carefully.

Buy it if loud titanium character is the point. Skip it if you want subtle sound or balanced dual-exit styling.

Z1’s Single Exit Race Exhaust is the current value single-exit pick. It is a 304 stainless, resonated, single-exit system with left- or right-side exit options, an included silencer, and a current product page with 370Z-specific support. Z1 lists 2009+ 370Z fitment, but notes that NISMO fitment has not been confirmed, so NISMO owners should verify before ordering.

Owner reviews frame it as great bang for the buck and clearly loud. Z1’s product description is also transparent about the goal: lightweight, clean-sounding, and less raspy than some other single exits. It is still a race-style exhaust, but the resonated design makes it easier to recommend than random low-cost single exits.

Buy it if you want a loud single exit without Tomei money. Skip it if you have a NISMO bumper and cannot confirm fitment.

The GReddy RS-Race is for buyers who are comfortable with a very loud car. GReddy’s current RS-Race application list includes a Nissan 370Z Z34 option with dual 63.5mm to 76mm piping, a 115mm tip, 24.8-pound listed weight, and a 102 dB sound level without the optional silencer.

That 102 dB figure is the reason this belongs in the loud section, not the daily-driver section. It can be a good track-leaning or aggressive street choice, but local noise rules and long highway drives should be part of the buying decision.

Buy it if maximum sound and weight savings are the goal. Skip it if you need a quiet car or live somewhere strict on exhaust noise.

Premium 370Z Exhausts and True Duals

Premium 370Z exhausts are about tone quality, construction, configurability, and future power headroom. They cost more, but they also tend to be the systems owners talk about saving for.

Motordyne ShockWave is the premium sound pick for the 370Z. Motordyne describes the E370 system as a true dual X-pipe exhaust with dual 2.5-inch primary tubes that expand into dual 3-inch exhaust tubing, 304L stainless construction, TIG welding, and stainless or burnt titanium 4.5-inch tip options.

Across owner discussions, Motordyne is praised for deep VQ tone, wide-open-throttle sound, and low drone relative to its volume. It is not cheap, and availability can change, but it is one of the few 370Z exhausts that forum regulars routinely call worth saving for.

Buy it if premium tone is the priority. Skip it if the budget is fixed below the Gemini/Stillen range.

Fast Intentions TDX is the configurable premium choice. The current product page covers 2009-2021 370Z submodels, left- and right-hand-drive compatibility, non-NISMO and NISMO bumper options, straight-through or 100-cell lead pipes, non-resonated or 18-inch resonated X-pipe options, and 10-inch Sport or 14-inch Touring mufflers.

That configurability is valuable. If you want loud, you can build it that way. If you want a lower-drone street setup, the 18-inch resonators and Touring mufflers make more sense. Owner discussions often recommend resonators when rasp and drone are concerns, especially with high-flow cats or test pipes.

Buy it if you want a made-to-order system you can tailor. Skip it if you need something in stock today.

ARK GRiP is another premium dual-exit option, and ARK’s current 2009-2020 listing emphasizes T304 stainless construction, 2.5-inch piping, 4.5-inch tips, an X-pipe design, and Helmholtz-style sound control to reduce drone. That puts it in the same buyer conversation as Motordyne and Fast Intentions, not the bargain exhausts.

The reason to choose ARK is the blend of aggressive sound and anti-drone engineering. The reason to skip it is price; for many buyers, Gemini is enough, while Motordyne or Fast Intentions may have stronger enthusiast pull.

Best Budget 370Z Exhausts

Budget exhausts can work on the 370Z, but this is where you need to be honest about what you are buying. Cheap systems are more likely to need alignment work, extra gaskets, hardware replacement, or sound compromises.

The STM axle-back is the simplest way to make a 370Z louder without replacing the full cat-back. It is essentially a rear-section muffler-delete style setup, so the value is sound and price rather than a sophisticated full exhaust path.

Buy it if you want cheap volume and a simple install. Skip it if you want the tone refinement, power path, and fitment control of a full cat-back.

Rev9’s appeal is price. It gives buyers a loud single-exit look and sound without Tomei, Z1, or GReddy money. The tradeoff is that fitment, finish, and long-term hardware quality are more of a gamble.

Buy it if the car is a budget project and you can tolerate some adjustment. Skip it if you are paying a shop by the hour or want a polished bolt-on experience.

DNA Motoring is an older low-cost dual-exit mention that should be treated carefully. It can be attractive if the price is the deciding factor, but it is not the product to buy if sound quality and fitment confidence matter most.

For many owners, the smarter move is to keep saving for Gemini, Stillen, or Z1’s current single-exit option. If you do buy a budget system, inspect welds, flanges, gaskets, and tip alignment before the car leaves the lift.

370Z Exhaust Fitment, Drone, and Setup Costs

Most 370Z exhaust listings target 2009-2020 Z34 cars, but NISMO bumpers matter. Fast Intentions lets buyers choose Non-NISMO, NISMO V1, and NISMO V2 configurations. Z1’s Single Exit Race listing says NISMO fitment has not been confirmed. GReddy notes its included tip is not compatible with NISMO bumpers without an optional extended tip. Before ordering, check the exact bumper, model year, and whether the product fits coupe/roadster if applicable.

Drone and rasp depend on the full exhaust path. A resonated cat-back on stock cats is usually manageable. Test pipes, non-resonated y-pipes, headers, and some high-flow cat setups raise the sound level and can add rasp in the 3,000-5,000 rpm range. Owner discussions repeatedly recommend resonators when the car has non-stock cats or when the buyer wants to preserve daily comfort.

Noise and emissions rules matter. Cat-back systems usually leave the catalytic converters in place, but test pipes and emissions defeat devices can be illegal for street use. The EPA warns against removing or defeating emissions controls, California requires approved replacement catalytic converters, and California’s modified-exhaust rule caps many passenger vehicles at 95 dBA under the state test procedure. GReddy’s published 102 dB RS-Race figure is a useful reminder that “sounds good online” and “legal/comfortable on your commute” are different standards.

Installation is usually bolt-on, but a 370Z is old enough now that rusted hardware, worn hangers, and stuck bolts can add time. Budget for gaskets, hardware, penetrating oil, and possible shop labor. If you buy a cheaper system, set aside extra time for tip alignment so the rear bumper does not look crooked.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best 370Z exhaust overall?

The Invidia Gemini is the best overall 370Z exhaust for most street cars. It has strong review volume, proven 2009+ fitment, a clean dual-exit look, and a moderate tone that works better for daily driving than louder single-exit systems.

What is the best sounding 370Z exhaust?

Motordyne ShockWave is the premium sound pick if budget allows. Fast Intentions TDX is close behind because it can be configured with resonators and mufflers to match your sound goals. For loud single-exit sound, Tomei Expreme Ti is the classic choice.

What is the loudest 370Z exhaust?

GReddy RS-Race and Tomei Expreme Ti are among the loudest common 370Z exhausts. GReddy publishes a 102 dB figure for the 370Z RS-Race without the optional silencer, and Tomei owner reviews consistently describe it as loud, especially with test pipes.

Do you need a tune for a 370Z cat-back exhaust?

No. A cat-back exhaust alone does not normally require a tune. A tune becomes more useful when you add intakes, headers, high-flow cats, test pipes, or forced induction.

Does a 370Z exhaust add horsepower?

A cat-back can add some power, but sound is the bigger reason most owners buy one. Fast Intentions and Z1 publish dyno-style gains for some setups, but the exact result depends on the rest of the car, the dyno, weather, and tune.

Which 370Z exhaust has the least drone?

Invidia Gemini, Stillen, Fast Intentions with resonators/Touring mufflers, ARK GRiP, and HKS Super Sound Master are better places to start when low drone matters. Single-exit and non-resonated setups are more likely to be tiring on the freeway.