Next Level Performance
August 23, 2026 • 10 min read
Our Verdict
The Borla ATAK cat-back is the best all-around exhaust for the 2023-2025 Nissan Z (RZ34): the most aggressive sound, 4.5-inch carbon-fiber tips, and Borla's Million-Mile warranty.
Want the quietest premium option? The Borla S-Type or MagnaFlow SPEQ tone it down. Chasing maximum flow and JDM pedigree on the VR30DDTT twin-turbo? The HKS Super Turbo Muffler is the halo pick. On a budget, the MBRP Armor Pro delivers a full 3-inch system with carbon tips for under $1,500.
Shop Our Top Pick →The 2023-2025 Nissan Z (chassis code RZ34) runs a 3.0L twin-turbo VR30DDTT V6 that makes 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque straight from the factory — but the stock exhaust muffles most of that turbo character. A quality Nissan Z cat-back exhaust is the single most popular first modification: it wakes up the exhaust note, sheds weight over the heavy factory system, and dresses up the rear with proper tips. At NLP Performance in Tampa, FL, cat-back systems for the new Z are one of our fastest-moving categories, so we pulled the five best from Borla, HKS, MagnaFlow, aFe, and MBRP and broke down sound, construction, tips, and price to help you pick the right one.
What Does a Cat-Back Exhaust Do on the Nissan Z?
A cat-back exhaust replaces everything from the catalytic converters back to the tips — the mid-pipe, resonators, muffler, and tailpipes. Because it lives behind the cats, it does not touch emissions equipment, so these systems are street-legal in all 50 states and bolt onto a stock Z without a tune. The primary payoff is sound and weight: larger-diameter, mandrel-bent stainless tubing and freer-flowing mufflers unlock the VR30DDTT's deeper twin-turbo tone while trimming pounds versus the restrictive factory exhaust.
Power gains from a cat-back alone are modest on a turbocharged engine — typically in the single-digit to low-double-digit horsepower range, since the turbos already scavenge exhaust efficiently. The real horsepower jumps come when you pair a cat-back with high-flow downpipes and an ECU tune. Buy a cat-back for the sound, the look, and the weight savings first; treat any small dyno gain as a bonus.
Borla ATAK 4.5-inch carbon-fiber black-anodized tips for the RZ34 Nissan Z.
The 5 Best 2023-2025 Nissan Z Cat-Back Exhausts
Below are our five recommended systems, ranked by how well each balances sound, build quality, and value. Every one is confirmed to fit the 2023-2025 Nissan Z Sport, Performance, Proto Spec, and Nismo trims with the VR30DDTT engine. Prices shown are current at NLP Performance.
1. Borla ATAK Cat-Back — Best Overall (Top Pick)
ATAK stands for Acoustically Tuned Applied Kinetics — Borla's loudest, most aggressive sound level. Built from T-304 austenitic stainless steel with 2.5-inch tubing and finished with quad 4.5-inch carbon-fiber, black-anodized tips, it delivers the meanest cold-start bark and wide-open-throttle roar of any system here without turning into an unlivable drone box at cruise. The patented straight-through, multi-core design is why Borla can back it with a Million-Mile warranty. If you want your Z to sound as fast as it looks, this is the one.
What We Like
- + Most aggressive tone in the group with minimal highway drone
- + Premium 4.5-inch carbon-fiber black-anodized tips
- + Borla Million-Mile warranty and USA-made T-304 stainless
Things to Consider
- – Loudest option may be too much for a quiet commute
- – Premium price point below only the HKS
2. HKS Super Turbo Muffler — Premium JDM Pick
HKS is the legendary Japanese tuner behind decades of Skyline and Z development, and the Super Turbo Muffler is their flagship exhaust for the VR30DDTT-powered RZ34. At $3,800 it is the most expensive system here, but you are paying for HKS's signature sound tuning — a deep, resonant tone that stays refined at cruise and hardens under boost — plus race-proven build quality and JDM pedigree that no domestic brand can replicate. This is the pick for the enthusiast who wants a genuine HKS badge on the tips and the sound to match.
MagnaFlow's SPEQ Series pairs a refined deep tone with polished stainless tips.
3. MagnaFlow SPEQ Series — Best Refined Tone
If the ATAK is the extrovert, the MagnaFlow SPEQ is the grown-up in the room. MagnaFlow's premium SPEQ Series uses straight-through, mandrel-bent stainless construction to add a deeper, fuller tone without the boom — ideal if you daily-drive your Z and take long highway trips. It is backed by a MagnaFlow Limited Lifetime warranty and lands at $1,838, making it one of the better values for a name-brand refined system. Choose this if you want more presence than stock but still crave a quiet cabin at 80 mph.
4. aFe POWER Takeda — Best Value with Carbon Tips
aFe's Takeda line is built for street enthusiasts who want a premium look without a premium invoice. This system uses 2.5-inch, 304 stainless mandrel-bent tubing and finishes with real carbon-fiber tips — a combination you usually pay much more for. At $1,684 (and currently with an extra discount at NLP Performance), it undercuts the Borla systems while still delivering a moderate-to-aggressive sport tone and the carbon-tip aesthetic that ties into a Z's available carbon accents. It is our value-with-style recommendation.
5. MBRP Armor Pro — Best Budget 3-Inch System
The MBRP Armor Pro proves you do not have to spend $2,000-plus to get a serious cat-back. It is the only full 3-inch-diameter system in this roundup, built from T304 stainless with a dual rear-exit layout and 5-inch OD carbon-fiber tips — the largest tips of the group. Armor Pro is MBRP's top-tier T304 line, which is why it carries a lifetime warranty. At $1,489.99 with an extra discount live, it is the most affordable way into a premium-tipped, big-bore exhaust for the RZ34.
What We Like
- + Only full 3-inch system here, with the largest 5-inch tips
- + Lowest price in the group and lifetime T304 warranty
- + Aggressive tone and bold carbon-fiber styling
Things to Consider
- – 3-inch diameter can sound boomier than 2.5-inch systems
- – Not a JDM-brand badge like the HKS
Nissan Z Cat-Back Exhaust Comparison
Here is how the five systems stack up head-to-head, plus the quieter Borla S-Type for buyers who want the Borla name with a more subdued tone. Tap any product to see full details and live pricing.
| Kit | Tips | Tone | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borla ATAKTop Pick | 4.5in carbon fiber | Aggressive | Track & canyon | $2,319.99 |
| HKS Super Turbo Muffler | Signature HKS | Deep, refined | JDM purists | $3,800.00 |
| MagnaFlow SPEQ | Polished stainless | Refined street | Daily & highway | $1,838.00 |
| aFe Takeda | Carbon fiber | Sport | Value & style | $1,684.00 |
| MBRP Armor Pro | 5in carbon fiber | Aggressive | Budget builds | $1,489.99 |
| Borla S-Type | 4.5in stainless | Balanced | Daily + spirited | $1,999.99 |
Top Pick Key Specifications
MBRP's Armor Pro runs a full 3-inch dual rear-exit layout with 5-inch carbon tips.
T-304 vs T-409 Stainless and Tip Materials Explained
Not all stainless steel is equal, and it directly affects how long your exhaust looks new. The systems in this guide use T-304 austenitic stainless (Borla, MBRP Armor Pro, and aFe Takeda), which resists corrosion and heat discoloration far better than the cheaper T-409 ferritic stainless found on budget exhausts. In a humid, coastal climate like our home base of Tampa, FL, T-304 is worth the premium because it will not rust-bloom at the welds after a couple of summers. Tip material matters too: carbon-fiber tips stay looking fresh and add a lightweight visual upgrade, while polished stainless tips deliver a timeless chrome-like shine but need occasional polishing.
Diameter is the last variable to weigh. A 2.5-inch system like the Borla ATAK, Borla S-Type, and aFe Takeda keeps back-pressure and tone balanced for a stock-turbo Z, which is exactly what most owners want. The 3-inch MBRP Armor Pro has more airflow headroom for a future downpipe-and-tune build, but a larger pipe can sound boomier at idle. Match the diameter to your end goal, not just your current setup, and you will only buy an exhaust once.
How to Choose the Right Nissan Z Exhaust
Start with sound, because that is what you will live with every day. If you want the most theatrical, aggressive note, go Borla ATAK or MBRP Armor Pro. If you commute and want a mature, drone-free tone, the MagnaFlow SPEQ or Borla S-Type are the smart calls. Next, match the tips to your build — carbon-fiber tips (Borla ATAK, aFe Takeda, MBRP) look right on a Z with carbon accents, while polished stainless keeps things classic. Finally, set your budget: you can get into a premium-tipped system for under $1,500 with the MBRP, step up to Borla or MagnaFlow in the $1,800-$2,300 range, or go all-in on the HKS at $3,800.
One more tip from our Tampa shop: if your long-term plan includes downpipes and a tune, buy a 3-inch or high-flow 2.5-inch system now so it will not become a restriction later. And no matter which you choose, all five are direct bolt-on installs that a competent DIYer can complete in roughly 1-2 hours with basic hand tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a cat-back exhaust add horsepower to the Nissan Z?
A cat-back exhaust adds only modest horsepower to the 2023-2025 Nissan Z — typically in the single-digit to low-double-digit range — because the VR30DDTT twin-turbo V6 already flows efficiently. The bigger benefits are a louder, deeper exhaust note and reduced weight. For real power gains, pair the cat-back with high-flow downpipes and an ECU tune.
Are these Nissan Z cat-back exhausts too loud or droney?
It depends on the sound level you choose. The Borla ATAK and MBRP Armor Pro are the most aggressive, while the MagnaFlow SPEQ and Borla S-Type are engineered to add tone without cabin drone at highway speed. Every system in this guide is street-friendly, but if you commute daily and want a quieter cruise, choose a refined-tone system rather than the ATAK.
Do I need a tune after installing a cat-back on my Z?
No, a cat-back exhaust does not require a tune on the Nissan Z. Because it replaces only the piping behind the catalytic converters, it does not alter the air-fuel readings the ECU relies on, so it bolts on and runs perfectly with stock software. A tune is only necessary when you add downpipes, upgraded turbos, or other airflow modifications.
Will a cat-back exhaust void my Nissan Z factory warranty?
A cat-back exhaust will not automatically void your factory warranty. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a dealer must prove that the modification directly caused a failure before denying a related claim. A bolt-on cat-back that leaves the emissions system intact is one of the lowest-risk modifications you can make to a new Z.
What is the difference between the Borla ATAK and S-Type on the Z?
The Borla ATAK is the louder, more aggressive of the two, using Borla's Acoustically Tuned Applied Kinetics design for maximum volume, while the S-Type is a mid-level sound that is noticeably present but calmer at cruise. Both use T-304 stainless and 4.5-inch tips; the ATAK featured here has carbon-fiber tips, and the S-Type uses polished stainless tips at a lower $1,999.99 price.
How long does it take to install a Nissan Z cat-back exhaust?
Most Nissan Z cat-back systems install in about 1-2 hours as a direct bolt-on with basic hand tools and a jack or lift. All five systems in this guide use factory-style hangers and clamps, so no cutting or welding is required. Budget extra time if you are aligning the tips perfectly in the rear valance.
Ready to Wake Up Your Nissan Z?
Shop the full lineup of cat-back exhausts and performance parts for the 2023-2025 Nissan Z at NLP Performance.
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