I'm planning on doing the ECU tune for my IX here in the next few weeks. I'm debating with whether or not I should do a cat-back exhaust first to maximize the potential results. I just don't really want the car getting really loud. I was consideirng the Greddy Ti, but I haven't been able confirm that it'll fit without problems. How much more would the cat-back be worth?

 

The Greddy is nice (and light) but VERY load. If you use the supplied silencer it helps to quiet things a bit but the power gains are then somewhat negated.
I heard catback systems that run a magnaflow muffler are 'quieter'. Buschur sells a nice one thats reasonably priced. I'd definitely wait on the ECU tune until after you install a C.B.

 

I would do the ecu and get it tuned based of stock specs so you can get base line numbers. If i where to do it all over again that would be the first thing i would have got i had a budy that did that all he did was put in a drop in k&n, race gas and tuned the car with the aem for about 1 hour ( this guy has been tuning ecu's since they came out long time dsm lover) no dyno or nothing just turning on and off the car. So once he was done doing that we went to the track first pass 12.7 second pass 12.2 just with race gas and a drop in k&n and one crazy tune if i wasnt there i wouldnt beleave it but its posible. Just get somebody thats knows how to work with whatever ecu setup your going with.

And also i have not seen a company yet put out the updated software for the 9 yet. AEM or no other company's have done anything yet. Just make sure when you buy a ecu that it will work with that new mivec setup on the 9 be on the look out for that.

 

Thanks for the advice mate. I'm looking more along the lines of doing an ECU flash than going full standalone. There are a couple tuners in my area that I found that have already been tuning the IX ecu. I think that's the route that I'll go. Get it tuned and run it for a while with everything else being stock. The one that I have to say that I was a bit disapointed in the EVO in comparison to my 240 is the stopping power of the brakes. It might not be a fair comparison though. My 240 had Hawk HP+ pads and stainless lines so the brake feel was very good. The Evo's brakes feel quite a bit softer in comparison. They only have 300 miles on them though, so perhaps I should give it more time before forming an opinion. Thanks again for your advice mate.

 

Pads and SS lines enough to feel "better" than the Evo Brembos??? And you only have 300 miles? Those brakes are supposed to be broken in just like the engine. Your 240 didn't have half the braking ability unless you had completely upgraded rotors and calipers.

I'm not sure why you've now made 3 separate threads asking about cat-backs when you could have asked all 3 questions in one thread (fitment, sound, power gain), but you are going to gain minimal power with just a cat-back. I'm not sure why anyone would want to spend $800-900 on a 10-15whp cat-back when there are several TBEs that cost LESS for twice the HP. Plus, the TI exhausts are very loud, which you said you don't want. If you're willing to spend ridiculous amounts of money for a cat-back, then get the Fujitsubo, since it's very quiet.

 

Stock cat converter locks up alot. Removed mine and got 1.5 psi more of boost and was almost one second faster durring 30 - 70mph 3rd gear pulls.

Stock catback does so as well - the muffler even has a spring loaded flapper through a 2" diameter orafice that even clogs things up more.

 

i havent done a cat-back exhaust yet, and dont plan on it anytime soon really. i have a 3" dp and 3" resonated test pipe, with the stock exhaust. i dont feel like im extremely hindering my car, although i know i will gain some horse from it, i dont like the headaches from local government and my head!