Problem fixed... Hey mafi-zed, My problem was that I already have the X-pipe muffler in the system and it still smoked. I didn't have Cats though and thought maybe that was the cause...but then I found out that some people without cats didn't have the problem...the balance pipe fixed it. But I'm wondering why the X-Pipe in my system didn't fix it when it essentially does the same thing only slightly different. My guess is the H-Pipe is more abrupt and has more effect on the sound than an X-Pipe would. X-Pipe is designed more towards gas flow to cause better scavaging and tumbling. The H-Pipe's main use might be sound related...I'm not sure though. However, I have discovered that tuning my idle speed to slightly lower has corrected the problem. (See my post below from yesterday) This may be another alternative to people who have a smoking issue when they change their exhaust. Cheers Rob.
This thread is just confusing now. Half the people are saying one thing, the other half something else. Just now mafi-zed said increasing the idle helped reduce the smoke, Z-Force decreasing the idle. Some have an X-pipe and still smoke, others have nothing at all and dont smoke what so ever! lol The only smoke you'll get from not running cats is some nice dark black smoke from unburnt fuel that is afterburning in the exhaust system, that has nothing to do with leaking oil seals.
no one is saying cats are the fix here, infact your clouded thinking and stubborness on this subject is getting somewhat annoying, the raising and lowering of rpm would help due to the frequency changing, as all have said it happens after 2-3 mins on cold start, and we all know the vg low's it's rpm gradually on cold starts.. and we all smoke at the same time frame meaning theires a certain rpm that resonates more so than at others and begins the leaking. let me sum this up for you based on my experience from begining to end. Begining - stock dumps/fronts/cats.. HKS single cat back = no smoke couple years ago - got tune agent dumps/fronts/removed cats/single hks cat back = no smoke a year ago - removed hks cat back and replace with dual cat back, no x pipe or cats = smoke begun. couple months after that - fitted cats - smoke reduced by removing alot of the pollutants, not from back pressure. couple days ago - fitted balance pipe = smoke gone. crap on all you want about how this doesnt work, but fact is couple blokes even have rebuilt turbos/engines and still copped the smoke, untill fitting the balance pipe and fixing their issue like mine. and Z-force the only thing i can suggest is maybe go bite the bullet spend $60 on a balance tube and see how you go? if your not happy with your current fix.
Im not talking shit on the fix, if it works then great. I was simply saying that there is that much inconsistant information in this thread it doesn't really help anyone trying to fix this properly. You also need to be able to tell the difference between smoke, unburnt fuel looks nothing like burning oil so it would be obvious wether or not to discount the cats. And what of the people who dont have anything at all and dont smoke eh? Magic?
SUMMARY Depends on the condition of the engine and turbos and the type of mufflers and the air temp and the price of fish at the local market. This is why right back at the start I asked for those who doubt to stay out. They didn't and now the thread is damn near screwed it is so full of this that and the other bloody thing. SUMMARY: If you have a twin turbo Z32 that smokes at idle check the exh system If it isn't standard (twin joined into single) and doesn't have a balance pipe GET ONE FITTED - don't ask why just try it and see if it works there are photos above that will show details of what has been tried and works. This will not be the answer for all smoking Z32s there are other ways to fix/avoid the problem but this is the way the factory does it and they are not stupid. I am sure most people will not care for the how or why they just want the fix.
if one cant distinguish the difference between unburnt fuel, and burning oil, i dont think they would be on this thread anyway. as for the information, it's been put into the tech, so anyone with half a brain would think to click that - or just read.. it's obvious which posters in this thread are 'in the know'. not only that anyone reading this thread would take note that 4 us (me included) have had our smoke issue resolved by fitting a balance pipe, i honestly dont think theres any confusion there unless your the type who needs the answer stamped on your forehead?
On the contrary I would think it's the exact opposite as the fact still remains that there are enough people out there without one that dont have this issue. Some people might not want to install a restrictive balance tube in their aftermarket exhaust system to fix it that's all. Apparently not otherwise why would cats even come up in the first place
well i think the cats came into question as a.. question, and a suggested solution due to less backpressure, it's been noted that the cats/back pressure isnt the issue here, and proved to be the balance tube. How is fitting a balance tube a restriction? my z feels no slower at all.. not sure if it was the road but i was getting tyre squeel in 1st and 2nd, which hasnt happened untill now on my new tyres.. as for others not running a balance pipe and not blowing smoke, well lucky them.. and no, i cant answer that.. i simply just do not know, but i would like to.
Z-Force's post got me thinking about a quick way to 'change' the idle rpm if you have an auto. Let the car idle in neutral as you normally would and when the smoke appears put the car in gear (to drop the revs) with the brake on to see if the smoke disappears. Thanks for sharing your theory Mungzy - fascinating stuff and a real help to many of us searching for solutions .
Don't make sense to me...as far as i can tell u can have an exhaust pipe for each sepparate cylinder..I dont have a balance pipe and all i noticed is a different exhaust noise..not as smooth...not balanced...hence the name balance pipe.. My Zd started smoking something bad too...turned out to be piston blowby, and worn turbo seals...and finaly two stuck PCVs... cheers
MungyZ posted up this in response to the same problem when i bought my Z a year ago HE WAS 100% right Cheers Dave
And did that stop the ensuing argument? NUP! :rofl: Those who have tried it or seen it work know what needs to be known. Worth a shot at least, cheaper than spending thousands then having to fit one anyway Damn, I never got one cent out of all that
