You want your Datsun S30 to have that signature growl that gets enthusiasts excited - and the right exhaust system is how you do it. A quality setup will give you the perfect balance of power and sound. The size of your pipes, the style of muffler you choose, and the way everything is routed make a giant difference. It affects how your car looks, sounds, and performs.
With these exhaust upgrades for your S30, you have a few options in mind. You could go for a stock-style replacement if you want things to look original, or you might want a performance system to improve your power. A custom setup is good, too, if you want to fine-tune the sound to your personal taste. It all depends on what you want to get out of your car and what kind of style you're going for. Also, remember to check your local noise laws - you don't want to get pulled over for being too loud!
At the end of the day, your Z-car deserves an exhaust that lets it be at its best. Getting it just right puts a wide grin on your face every time you step on the gas. Taking the time to get it perfect makes it worth it. Let's get started and look at some of the ways you can make it happen!
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Exhaust System Options
Your Z car's voice is all about that exhaust system. If you're just starting out, stock replacement options are usually the way to go. They use 1.75-2" diameter piping, which sounds pretty close to factory levels, so you won't get a big performance improvement from these. But hey, they can get the job done. Performance systems are where it's at if you want to kick things up a notch. They use 2.25-2.5" mandrel bent pipes that let your engine breathe easier. With these, you can see a great power bump of 5-15 horsepower. Plus, the sound gets louder, too. For the best results, people like to pair these systems with headers.
Headers are great because they swap out those factory exhaust manifolds. They have bigger diameter primary pipes that open up the exhaust flow. Equal-length headers are the way to go for maximum performance gains. Adding headers makes your Z's sound a whole lot meaner - it's the kind of growl that turns heads. For the serious S30 enthusiasts out there, dual exhaust setups with X-pipes are the hot ticket. After the header collector, the system splits into two pipes, and an X-pipe connects the sides to balance out the exhaust pulses. If the setup is dialed in just right, you could see a sweet 10-30 horsepower gain. It's pure muscle.
Sound tuning is where you can let your personal taste shine. Straight-through mufflers are the way to go if you like it loud and proud. But if you want something a little more refined for driving, chambered mufflers could be more your speed. Resonators are also clutch for getting rid of that annoying drone during highway driving. It might take some trial and error to find that perfect balance.
With these materials, you have options. Stainless steel systems cost more. But they're tough as nails against corrosion. Aluminized steel is a good choice, too, and it's a bit easier on the wallet. Just stay away from the universal systems if you live somewhere with harsh weather - they'll rust out in no time. And quality materials mean better sound. Now, depending on where you live, you might have to keep an eye on local noise laws. Tearing up a canyon road might sound wonderful. But it might not fly in the burbs. Some people are all about that period-correct look. They sacrifice a little performance for the style. Others want to squeeze out every last bit of modern performance while still keeping that classic style.
If it's time to install, trust the pros to get it done right. DIY installs can be tough, and you don't want to end up with leaks at the connections. Hangers also keep your exhaust parts from sagging too low. And for a street-driven Z, good ground clearance is a must.
Sound Tuning
Before you modify the exhaust on your Datsun S30, the sound is probably the first thing on your mind. You're dreaming of that perfect exhaust note. A throaty growl will make people stop and stare for the right reasons. The pleasant news is that the right exhaust system can change your driving experience and give you just that.
Your muffler choice is going to play a giant role in how your S30 ends up sounding. If you go with a turbo-style muffler then you'll get a quieter tone that won't bug your neighbors too much. But if you want something with a bit more attitude, a straight-through design like a Magnaflow or Great will give you that classic sports car sound. The difference between these two options is like night and day.
You might also want to add some resonators to your exhaust system for even more control over your sound. They work by changing the sound frequencies as the exhaust gases flow through. S30 fans have found that the right resonator can remove any annoying drone while still keeping that deep growl they love.
The diameter of the primary tubes in your headers is another factor in sound and performance. In most cases, wider tubes will give you a deeper exhaust that sounds pretty darn interesting. Narrower tubes - and the tube length matters for the tone, too.
If you don't get the sizing right throughout your whole exhaust system, you might end up pretty disappointed with the results. Some owners have even reported a "tin can" effect when the header and pipe diameters don't match up well. This happens when the sound waves bounce around wrongly inside the system. That creates some unpleasant resonances.
There's a reason why Z-Story exhaust systems have become so popular with S30 owners. They come with a mid-system resonator and give you options for how you want to configure the rear muffler. That flexibility makes it a bit easier to dial in the kind of sound character you're looking for. Try to hear some different setups in person before you drop some serious cash if you can because sound clips online just don't capture the true character of an exhaust system. One S30 owner was shocked when he switched from a generic aftermarket system to a sized setup with a quality resonator - his car went from sounding like an angry lawnmower to having this throaty sports car rumble.
Installation Best Practices
To work on the exhaust system of a classic car like an S30, you need to start by looking at a few things that matter. First off, you need to make sure that you have enough clearance under there. Lots of people who lower their ride end up finding out the hard way when their new exhaust scrapes on every speed bump.
Another thing to keep in mind is that even if a brand says their system is a "direct fit," it might not fit quite right. It might not fit your car at all. You don't want to spend hours trying to modify something that was supposed to just bolt on.
The gaskets that you use can make or break your whole exhaust installation, too. Those stock Nissan gaskets are known for failing pretty fast, and then you're stuck with annoying leaks. It's worth spending a little extra cash on some aftermarket gaskets that have metal cores. Lots of S30 owners think that they can get away with skimping on the gaskets. But they usually end up regretting it when they're trying to track down leaks a few weeks later. Some gaskets are a budget-friendly way to stay away from future frustration.
Heat management is another issue you might want to remember with these cars. The engine bay in an S30 is pretty tight so your exhaust parts are going to be sitting close to other parts. If you don't have the right heat shielding in place, you could end up damaging your wiring, brake lines, or even your fuel system. Some people like to add a ceramic coating to their headers and pipes for extra protection.
Driving down the road with loose exhaust parts is like dealing with constant annoyance if they're not secured properly. Most of the time, it's a loose heat shield that starts vibrating at RPMs. Once everything is installed, those noises can be a real pain to track down. To put everything together, take your time and make sure you use clamps and hangers that won't come loose over time from the heat and vibration.
Paying a professional to install your exhaust might feel like wasting money upfront. But it can actually save you cash in the long run. Exhaust work usually needs some precise welding and pipe bending. DIYers often run into problems with alignment that can cause cracks or leaks. With a professional handling the installation, you have someone to go back to if any problems come up. Plus, they have the right tools to make sure everything fits just right without putting undue stress on any of the parts.
Sound Deadening
How are the Datsun S30's thin body panels like drum heads for road noise? They're always vibrating with every little bump in the road and rev of the engine. The owners dig the sound of the exhaust. But that droning noise can get old pretty fast.
Sound deadening is the way to go if you want to tackle this. These materials can put a damper on vibrations and block out unwanted noise. Damplifier Pro is like a magic trick when you put it right on metal surfaces. It stops the panels from resonating and cuts down on that tinny rattle.
Mass Loaded Vinyl is another tool in your arsenal - it takes care of a different issue by blocking out airborne sound. It works best if you install it with a thin layer of foam underneath. That foam keeps the vinyl from vibrating against the metal and making more noise. The floor is the first place you might want to add some sound deadening materials.
Road noise comes right up through those thin floor panels like they're not even there, so adding some damping materials makes the cabin quieter. S30 owners say this upgrade completely changes the whole driving experience. In the doors of these Datsun sports cars, the thin sheet metal vibrates and can get very annoying. Putting damping material on the door skins quiets things down and makes your stereo sound better if you've upgraded from the original radio. The firewall separates your cabin from the heat and noise in the engine bay, so a mix of vibration dampers and Mass Loaded Vinyl works best.
The wheel wells catch every bit of road spray and tire noise. This can be a non-stop irritation on a drive, especially on wet roads or rough pavement. Adding damping material to the wheel wells cuts back on that noise. You can also check out our Camber Plate Covers at Skillard, which helps cover those holes for your rear suspension and cuts back on road noise a lot.
One S30 owner said his sound-deadening project was "life-changing" for his driving experience. He added that he could finally hear his passengers without shouting while still enjoying the awesome sound of the exhaust on his terms. Another enthusiast found the right balance after doing some sound treatment on her car. She explained that highway drives went from exhausting to fun and that her tuned exhaust still sounds aggressive when pushed. But cruising is finally comfortable for road trips.
Build Your Dream Car
Upgrading your S30's exhaust setup is a great personal thing. It depends on what kind of driving experience you're looking for, and what sounds perfect to you might be too loud for someone else. Taking a ride in a friend's car with a different exhaust is pretty eye-opening. You might think you know what you want, but then you hear and feel it in person and completely change your mind. There's no substitute for experiencing it firsthand.
Talking to other S30 owners is eye-opening too. You'll hear all kinds of stories about what works and what doesn't - like this one guy who put in an aggressive straight-through system. But then he couldn't stand the drone on the highway after a few months. Another person found that adding a quality resonator gave them the perfect balance of sound and comfort.
It all comes down to how you plan to use your car. Do you cruise on weekends, drive it every day or use it a little? The setup that puts the biggest smile on your face every time you fire up the engine is the one you want.
Making classic Datsuns sound and perform better gets us excited at Skillard. We know that every enthusiast has their own vision for their restoration or upgrade project. That's why we've developed a whole number of custom parts for cars like your 240Z, 260Z, or 280Z. Our team has spent years knowing these models inside and out. We've figured out their quirks and perfected parts that improve looks and performance while keeping that classic character.
If you're looking to round out your exhaust with some matching upgrades, we might be able to help. If you want to take your entire build to the next level, we can help with services made just for your model. Custom bumpers, aluminum door cards, center consoles, and spoilers - every part is made with the quality and attention to detail your S30 deserves. Visit our website and check out our full lineup because your dream driving experience is around the corner, and we're here to help make it happen!
