I know nobody here is interested, but for the sake of documenting this for someone else I'm going to report back on this thread.
I'm comparing the difference between a JDM Fairlady Z and a USDM 350z, after noticing that the JDM model is much quieter than the US.
It turns out that the exhaust system appears to be different between the two, although not visibly. The part numbers differ between several components - whether that means the parts are different in reality I don't know.
For VQ35DE models only, here are the different part numbers for the main parts of the exhaust system:
USDM 350z:
2003+ CAT CONVERTER: 208B2-CD425
2006 CAT CONVERTER: 208B2-AC325
2003+ Y PIPE: 20020AM660
2003+ MID RESONATOR: 20300CD000
2003+ BACK MUFFLER: 20100CD010
2006+ BACK MUFFLER: 20100-CF50A
JDM Z33 Fairlady Z:
2002+ CAT CONVERTER: 208B3-AL926
2002+ Y PIPE: 20020-AF625
2002+ MID RESONATOR: 20300-CD025
2002+ BACK MUFFLER: B0100CD90A
2006+ BACK MUFFLER: 20100CD025
As you can see, the part numbers differ between every part. My hunch is that most of the sound difference comes from the cats and the rear muffler (but probably the cats due to very different emission laws in Japan vs USA). If you're trying to replicate the sound of a stock USDM 350z (and you should, it's one of the best sounding stock exhaust systems I've heard) then you're best to replace the entire system from the cats back.
I hope that's helpful to someone out there (most likely Canadians and Americans who have imported a Z33 instead of buying a local 350z).
Cheers
Hello from America!
This info actually helps quite a lot for me.
I'm currently investigating the equivalencies of the USDM 350Z & the JDM Fairlady in order to follow the US Governments tedious laws on importing cars. The part numbers mentioned confirm that the parts are different so thank you for that. I'm still trying to find info/part numbers on the airbags and seatbelts as well. I'm a little more confident that those are the same but it's best to have numbers to confirm. Additionally, and most importantly, I'm trying to find any info on crash test ratings of the RHD models, whether it be from Japan or UK (or any other similar market). Part of the requirements for import (regarding the Z) in the US is the car has to be comparable to its US market version. The 350z has been crash tested here and the NHTSA was satisfied by its results, but, they have a clause that they need some form of information that states or proves the RHD version is comparably safe as the LHD version.
So I'll try to sum this up, I'm looking for part numbers for seatbelts and airbags for the two different markets as well as any info on crash test ratings for the RHD version UK or JDM.
FairladyZ vs 350Z - exhaust differences?
in JDM imports
Posted
Hello from America!
This info actually helps quite a lot for me.
I'm currently investigating the equivalencies of the USDM 350Z & the JDM Fairlady in order to follow the US Governments tedious laws on importing cars. The part numbers mentioned confirm that the parts are different so thank you for that. I'm still trying to find info/part numbers on the airbags and seatbelts as well. I'm a little more confident that those are the same but it's best to have numbers to confirm. Additionally, and most importantly, I'm trying to find any info on crash test ratings of the RHD models, whether it be from Japan or UK (or any other similar market). Part of the requirements for import (regarding the Z) in the US is the car has to be comparable to its US market version. The 350z has been crash tested here and the NHTSA was satisfied by its results, but, they have a clause that they need some form of information that states or proves the RHD version is comparably safe as the LHD version.
So I'll try to sum this up, I'm looking for part numbers for seatbelts and airbags for the two different markets as well as any info on crash test ratings for the RHD version UK or JDM.
Any help would be so greatly appreciated!
✌️