2009-2020 Nissan 370Z Exhaust: HKS vs Borla vs MagnaFlow

A Nissan 370Z cat-back exhaust is the single best-value upgrade you can bolt to the Z34 — it wakes up the naturally aspirated 3.7L VQ37VHR V6, sheds meaningful weight over the heavy factory system, and finally lets that 332-horsepower engine sound like it means business. But with three heavyweight options in stock at NLP Performance — the HKS Hi-Power Dual Ti Tip ($2,250.00), the Borla S-Type ($1,619.99), and the MagnaFlow Street Series ($1,644.00) — the hard part is choosing. In our Tampa, FL shop we install all three on 370Z coupes and roadsters, so here is the honest, spec-by-spec breakdown of how they compare on sound, weight, materials, and value.

Why upgrade the 370Z exhaust?

A cat-back exhaust replaces everything from the catalytic converters back — the mid-pipes, resonators, mufflers, and tips — while keeping your factory cats in place for an emissions-friendly, direct bolt-on fit. On the Nissan 370Z (2009–2020), the factory VQ37VHR makes 332 hp and 270 lb-ft (350 hp in Nismo trim) and revs to a 7,500-rpm redline, but the stock exhaust is restrictive, heavy, and muted. A quality cat-back does three things: it unlocks the VQ's iconic high-rpm wail, it trims 15–30 lbs of dead weight from behind the axle, and it sharpens throttle response.

Be realistic about power: on a naturally aspirated 370Z, a cat-back alone typically frees up single-digit peak horsepower — usually 5–10 hp with a slightly larger bump in the mid-range. The real payoff is sound, weight, and character. Pair any of these systems with a cold air intake and a tune and the gains stack up, but even on their own, all three transform how the car feels and sounds. Here is how our three contenders stack up at a glance.

370Z cat-back exhaust comparison

HKS Hi-Power Dual Ti Tip: the premium pick

The HKS Hi-Power is the enthusiast's benchmark for the 370Z. It is built from SUS304 stainless steel with signature burnt-titanium dual tips, and its large-diameter Hi-Power muffler design produces the loudest, most aggressive tone of this trio — a hard-edged JDM wail that comes alive above 4,000 rpm. At $2,250.00 it is the most expensive system here, but you are paying for the HKS name, the titanium tip hardware, and a sound signature that is instantly recognizable at any meet.

Borla S-Type: the aggressive value play

The Borla 370Z cat-back is the enthusiast favorite for drivers who want a raspy, race-bred bark without the HKS price tag. At $1,619.99 it is the most affordable system in this comparison, and it is built from patented multi-core T-304 austenitic stainless steel — the most corrosion-resistant grade Borla offers. Borla's straight-through, mandrel-bent design delivers an aggressive tone that leans raspy and metallic under load, then settles into a livable cruise. Crucially, it is backed by Borla's legendary million-mile warranty, making it the longest-covered system here.

MagnaFlow Street Series: the refined daily driver

If you daily-drive your Z and want a deeper, fuller tone without constant highway drone, the MagnaFlow Street Series (part 19135) is the sweet spot at $1,644.00. It uses 2.5in mandrel-bent stainless main piping feeding three straight-through mufflers, exiting through a dual split rear layout capped with 4.5in polished, double-wall, angle-cut tips. The result is MagnaFlow's signature resonant, powerful tone — noticeably more mature and bass-heavy than the raspy Borla, and easier to live with on long drives than the HKS. It is also backed by MagnaFlow's lifetime warranty.

Sound, weight and power compared

On the VQ37VHR, sound character is the deciding factor for most buyers, and these three occupy distinct lanes. The HKS is the loudest and most aggressive — a screaming, high-rpm JDM wail that rewards you at the 7,500-rpm redline. The Borla is nearly as loud but leans raspy and metallic, a race-inspired bark that is unmistakable at a cruise-in. The MagnaFlow is the most refined: deeper, more resonant, and the easiest to live with as a daily. If you commute in your Z, the MagnaFlow's controlled drone is a genuine advantage; if you want heads to turn, the HKS or Borla win.

On weight and power, expect all three to shave roughly 15–30 lbs versus the heavy factory cat-back and to free up about 5–10 peak horsepower on an otherwise stock 370Z, with the biggest seat-of-the-pants change coming from mid-range throttle response. None of these will transform the Z into a different car on their own — that is the honest truth about a cat-back on a naturally aspirated V6 — but stack one with a cold air intake, high-flow test pipes, and a tune, and the VQ37 comes alive. All three are true bolt-on installs that reuse factory hangers.

Which 370Z exhaust should you buy?

Buy the HKS Hi-Power ($2,250.00) if you want the loudest, most exotic tone and the prestige of genuine titanium tips, and budget is not the deciding factor. Buy the Borla S-Type ($1,619.99) if you want the most aggressive sound for the least money, plus the peace of mind of a million-mile warranty. Buy the MagnaFlow Street Series ($1,644.00) if your Z pulls daily-driver duty and you want a deeper, refined note with minimal drone and a lifetime warranty. There is no wrong answer here — only the right match for your ears and your commute.

Installation and pairing upgrades

All three cat-backs are direct bolt-on installs that take our Tampa techs roughly 1.5–3 hours on a lift, reusing the factory hanger locations. The one wrinkle: the HKS system requires removing the emissions canister heat shield for clearance, which is a quick job but worth knowing before you start. Always let the exhaust cool fully, use anti-seize on the factory studs, and torque the band clamps evenly to avoid leaks and rattles.

To get the most from your new exhaust, pair it with a cold air intake so the VQ37 can breathe on both ends. The Injen SP Cold Air Intake for the 370Z ($874.73) is a proven complement that sharpens throttle response and adds an intake growl that layers perfectly over any of these cat-backs. Add high-flow test pipes and a tune down the road, and you will have a complete, cohesive VQ37 sound-and-power package.