SOUND SECRETS REVEALED! Nissan Skyline 370GT, Infiniti G37, 370Z, 350Z, G35, V35, V36

I have put a lot of time and money into my own research & development, testing various exhaust systems on my imported Nissan Skyline 370GT over the past few years so that I could come up with a particular sound that I personally like.

My main objectives were to minimize the classic "trumpet" VQ noise, avoid the typical "growly" twin system sound like most aftermarket dual systems, while trying not to be insanely noisy or drone like the titanium or most single exit systems are known to be with de-cat/test pipes. This video will take you through the final product for my V36 coupe with nothing hidden so that others can hopefully learn the tricks to achieve the sound they like - without having to spend too much money on trial and error.

Firstly, I should point out that while my car has been tastefully modified, the performance side of things is still essentially just a stock 370GT/V36 VQ37HR engine with twin 2.75" long tube custom intakes and my own pieced together custom fabricated exhaust system in typical 304 stainless steel. The car has been dyno tuned by a local performance workshop in Perth (WA) using the factory ECU with the 'UpRev' software platform.
The principals of tuning, using different intakes or other modifications, forced induction, as well as the sheer difference in power and engine displacement alone can also change the way a car sounds. However, for the purpose of this video, we are only focusing on exhaust tone here using a stock, N/A VQ engine so you don’t need to worry if you have a 3.5L, 3.7L, a Z car, a V car, Skyline/G37 etc, nor what intakes and other minor modifications you might have. The different types of exhaust systems demonstrated here will still achieve their own ‘style’ of sound, regardless of which N/A VQ vehicle you have.

You will also hear some comparisons if you patiently read and watch the full video.

So why have I put so much effort in to this? My obsession with cars (especially the way they sound) stems from the fact that you can take the same two cars or compare two identical engines and still manipulate the sound and character of both to be completely different to each other by changing an exhaust system.

Some may dislike the way my car sounds and prefer the “growl” of a twin system or the high pitched, obnoxious howl of a titanium system. Sound to me is not about what is better or worse – it is simply people personalising their vehicle how they like and "each to their own".

I hope this video will help give some perspective for others to make their decisions or hear what they like before spending their money on what is arguably the single most significant modification a person will do to a vehicle they own to make it audibly noticeable and personalised. I would suggest that for the $2,000 - $3,000 AUD that one could easily spend putting a good quality aftermarket exhaust system on their VQ powered vehicle, they could actually achieve a similar result to what I have with a completely personalised, custom fabricated exhaust which is unique and something a bit different to the rest.

I’d like to say a big shout out to Grant at ‘GS Auto Works’ for assisting me to achieve my own design and for the fabrication work on my V.
I also want to highlight that I would never have even found this beautiful example of a CKV36 Skyline 370GT if it wasn’t for 'Just Jap Auto Imports'.

Lastly, the number plates are an absolute joke. This particular car is actually suggested to be quite rare. It is only occasionally driven, well looked after and cared for (despite a one off fun night down the drag racing at Perth Motorplex).

See, hear, learn more here;
   • CKV36 Skyline exhaust sounds from 2021  
   • How a VQ engine should sound: Nissan ...