What about a Tanabe Medallion? Looks similar to the Q300 but doesn't sound like a farty ricer exhaust when you have a test pipe. Invidia does not make quality parts. People on here have had issues with them falling apart or sounding like crap with anything but a oem cat. I had there test pipe with the cel fix and it didn't work. Swapped to berk with no issues. If a J's is only a few hundred more it is money very well spent. You may also try looking for a used Mugen dual since it will be both quite and look good.

 

Perhaps my problem was the Q300 was behind a Berk high flow cat. Gotta admit I never heard it behind an OEM cat.

With no other changes but the FIPK intake, Berk cat, and Tababe Medialon Touring exhaust the car shows 221 horsepower at the rear wheels on a Mustang dyno. Mustang dynos are reported to be conservative.

-- Chuck

 

No test pipe. Emissions in CT is very strict and not worth the trouble at this point.

 

I have a Q300 and live in Australia. Concerning the price I suggest waiting for an EBay sale (eg they had a 15% sale off all listed items last week).
The Q300 is much nicer to listen to with an oem cat. Also I have found the sound on the Q300, like a fine wine gets better with age lol. I think this might be due to the layer of soot that accumulates over time through the internals.

Whilst J's make great products I hate the look of their exhausts, has a limp look.

 

Personal experience:

I had Q300 on both of my s2000. Its okay for what is worth using a stock cat. I wouldn't recommend using cat delete, if the sound is an issue.

I now have T1R 70r-em Single and T1R 70r dual Sparrow. I like the single 70r-em for several reasons, alignment, sound, appearance and craftsmanship.
I never had problems with alignment with the single exhaust. Also, it sounds nice and deep.

Now 70r dual sparrow, I had to work on the alignment of the exhaust. It didnt fit perfect. For some odd reason, the company never fixed the zig on the mid pipe, which makes it difficult to align. The bracket is welded little short, causing the driver side of the exhaust to pull. When looking at the exhaust, the exhaust tip is slightly touches the bumper at the end. Ill try to post a picture when I get home.

I believe T1R is manufacture in canada? or still in Taiwan? I forget. For the price, I would recommend buying them used, since price of a new exhaust is pretty expensive. At that same rate, your probably better off buying greddy or Tanabe at much lower rate.

Hope this helps.

 

Sorry for leading you astray!


Clearly, test pipes and deletes (negatively) impact the sound (more so than most systems).


Another factor is that our individual hearing differs greatly. Years of playing drums have possibly lessened my sensitivity to certain frequencies.




I had to have a hanger re-welded on my Q300 (my fault). I asked the exhaust shop to check the other welds while they're at it. The shop owner commented on the quality of the welds and even mentioned that it was one of the better aftermarket systems he'd seen (and he liked the sound).

If we're talking the Invidia N1......that's a different conversation. It and the Q300 don't even look to be produced in the same factory. The N1 looks to be an par with the cheapest of eBay systems (and it's deafeningly loud).

 

$1,300 AUD for a Q300 is absolutely insane. USD and AUD are fairly close these days...maybe off by $200-300.

I had the Q300 dual for two years. It was quiet in and around town and on the freeway, just like most exhausts, quiet if you maintain the throttle. It drones a little but nothing compared to the N1 that my friend had. After two years of stock cat, I put a Berk HFC on. It sounded like a world of difference. Overall, it was loud below vtec, and at vtec it went insane. Raspy to the max and the loudness is beyond words can describe.

After having the Q300 / HFC combo for a few months, sold it and bought the HKS dual with HFC. Much quieter and the exhaust was more pleasant to listen to. Very mature and sound was a little higher pitched. I loved it so much I still have it.

Right now though, I have the Spoon N1 Muffler Kit. Much, much louder than the HKS dual. I got it mainly because my new job only permits me to drive the S on the weekends so I figured I wanted something very loud. At 123.3 it is quite loud, but STILL not as loud as the Q300 paired with a test pipe...now that gives you a good idea of the loudness. :roll eyes:

Q300 with HFC

HKS Dual with HFC

Funny cause last night I just uploaded a video of my friend's J's Racing 70 Stainless Steel...with cat and K&N intake
J's 70 with cat

 

Wow that HKS sounds nice!

 

Thanks mate. Here is how it sounds in the cabin: HKS Dual + HFC

 

I have a MY00 and have ran both. And both utilized with the stock cat and stock header. Only real mod worth mentioning would be a K&N FIPK. The Q300 was nice for the money, but too droney in my opinion. Sounded great at WOT, but cruising around was a little unbearable. The J's Racing 70RS was much more nicely built, but was more loud than the Q300 in every way. I'd imagine HFC or straight pipe would help with the drone in either. For the price you are about to pay for the Q300, I'd look into other options.

Also, I believe there are clearance issues with the 70RS and AP2 models, but don't quote me on that.

Edit: Now currently running the EVS Tuning 70SSP with a 70mm Berk HFC and the sound is intoxicating.