alpha6164

Thinking about buying an exhaust for the IS-F. I have read quite a lot and the Joe Z exhaust definitely sounds great and seems to pick up about ~25whp at peak. Any info on the Borla cat back exhaust? Setting the sound of both exhausts aside, do you think there is a performance difference between the two. Main reason for this question is that the Borla is about $600 cheaper which is significant. All inputs appreciated.

hwy1isf

iTrader: (1)

I think it comes down to quality, the Jz is a quality system. BTW, if you do a search you will find a lot of information on all of the systems available.

bnizzle87

with such praise for joe's products on here and even on other F forums, I'll admit I did look at other aftermarket exhaust setups with a bias. in the end, I'm getting my Joe Z/ PTS exhaust next week installed. from what ive heard, its flat out jaw dropping!!

Supraman16

iTrader: (5)

The quality, sound, fit, and finish of the JoeZ is second to none. The Borla is nice, but they have a track record of poor fit and finish. After the JoeZ exhaust gets properly broken in (about 500 miles), it sounds incredible...Darshana S...

houstonT

I have no experience with the Borla but I used to have the Joe Z on my other ISF. If/when I get an exhaust on my new F, it will be Joe Z...it's worth the money alpha.

On another note, what do you guys mean "broken in" on the exhaust? There is no break in, bolt her up, start her up, drive her...there is no break in.

Peter

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

I think they are referring to the exhaust sound. It definetely calms down after a few hundred miles in a good way.

Btw welcome back! Do you still have the GTR?

verals05

iTrader: (3)

When I first installed my JoeZ it was a bit loud... but after putting about 500 miles on the exhaust it toned down a bit.

But I love it!! Its the best mod I ever did to my car =)

houstonT

cayman - hey bud, I actually just sold the GTR...it was a GREAT car, just a bit too much for a daily driver...

As for the Joe Z getting quieter...you guys must be hearing things! LOL Why would an exhaust get quieter after 500 miles?

Peter

MINO

iTrader: (4)

I have the borla competition. Sounded a lot better after a few hundred miles. Also have another $600 in my pocket to put towards the DMH electric cut-outs I've been meaning to do.

The fitment issues you hear about are real, but not a problem for an experienced installer. A little lube and a prybar will get everything lined up. It's a common issue for any slip-fit system. Definitely not a driveway install.

Most of the gains are from the removal of the secondary cats, which both systems do.

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

Peter, I know you had this exhaust before, but it's certainly a real phenomenon. If the exhaust hadn't quieted down I was about to replace the mufflers with something else when I first installed. Like magic after around a few hundred miles, I think it was 300-400 it suddenly toned down in a more mature way. I was under the same impression as you and was wondering how an exhaust would ever become quieter. Considering that almost everyone on this forum has noticed the same thing, I contacted a buddy of mine who is a metallurgist for Volvo and he said that it's possible that with a certain number of heat cycles on the exhaust that it possibly changes the properties of the metal resulting in a sound difference from when it was new.

Supraman16

iTrader: (5)

Actually the reason the the exhaust gets quieter is that the resonators on the exhaust get "broken in" from the heat. This is what the guys at PTS (the guys you make the JoeZ exhaust) told me directly. I was one of those who when I initially installed the exhaust I thought I made a huge mistake about how loud it was. Even after 200 miles it was still really loud. But after talking to Joe and PTS, I gave it more time and it definately mellowed down and mellowed down to the perfect tone and volume....Darshana S...

ISFer

iTrader: (2)

+1. My JoeZ exhaust 'mellowed' nicely after a few hundred miles and I love it just the way it is.
The best deal for fit & finish, performance and bling. You won't do better.

Colin.

LexISguy

Hey Houston what happened to the first F?

houstonT

Very interesting feedback on the exhaust, when I had mine I noticed no difference in sound...hmmm, maybe I just missed it!

I sold my last ISF...bought a GTR...have since sold the GTR...have another ISF...

Peter

bnizzle87

coming full circle- what a beautiful story! haha....the joe z sounds amazing. ive heard the borla on some cars, but im not too sure about its performance.