Next Level Performance
August 4, 2026 • 9 min read
If you own a 2017–2022 Infiniti Q60 3.0t and want a real sports-coupe exhaust note without a droning rasp, the HKS Dual Hi-Power Titanium Tip cat-back is the halo choice in our Q60 catalog. This full dual, SUS304 stainless system replaces the restrictive 45mm factory piping with a gradual 60mm-to-67.5mm dual layout capped by 120mm burnt-titanium tips, and its clever "Hybrid Sound" caps let you tune volume from a refined 84 dB to a track-ready 88 dB. Below we break down the sound, the weight, the honest power story on the twin-turbo VR30DDTT, and how this $2,990 cat-back stacks up against the Borla S-Type and Revel Medallion Touring-S.
Our Verdict
The HKS Dual Hi-Power Titanium is the best-sounding, best-built cat-back for the 2017–2022 Infiniti Q60 3.0t.
It pairs full SUS304 construction and 120mm burnt-titanium tips with a Hybrid Sound cap system that dials volume from 84 dB (caps in) to 88 dB (tips open) versus 78 dB stock. At 27.1 kg it trims weight over the factory unit, bolts to any 2017–2022 Q60 3.0t RWD, and forms the foundation for a downpipe-and-tune build. On a tighter budget, the Borla S-Type and Revel Touring-S are excellent runners-up.
Shop Our Top Pick →Why the HKS Hi-Power Titanium Is Our Top Q60 Cat-Back
The HKS Dual Hi-Power Titanium Tip is a full dual cat-back exhaust engineered specifically for the 2017–2022 Infiniti Q60 3.0t (CV37 chassis) and its VR30DDTT twin-turbo V6. It earns the top spot on build quality alone: every section is mandrel-bent SUS304 stainless steel, and the piping steps up from the OEM 45mm to a gradual 60mm inlet growing to 67.5mm out back — a meaningful flow increase for a 400-hp turbo engine while keeping backpressure controlled. The dual 119–120mm burnt-titanium tips are the visual signature, and the complete system weighs just 27.1 kg (about 59.7 lbs).
What separates it from a generic cat-back is HKS’ "Hybrid Sound" design: small secondary muffler exits sit ahead of the large rear tips. Leave the removable caps installed for a refined, cabin-friendly tone; pull them for turn-down exits that open the system up for maximum volume and character. That flexibility is why we recommend it to Q60 owners who daily their car but still want a proper exhaust note on demand.
Some quick platform context on why this car deserves a serious exhaust: the Q60 3.0t is one of the best-kept secrets in the sport-coupe world. Introduced for 2017, the CV37 Q60 shares its VR30DDTT twin-turbo V6 with the Q50 sedan, and in Red Sport 400 trim it makes 400 hp and 350 lb-ft while weighing about 3,862 lbs — good for a 0–60 mph run in the mid-4-second range. That mix of a stout, tunable turbo engine and an affordable used-market price is exactly why the aftermarket has embraced the platform, and why a well-engineered cat-back is the natural first upgrade.
Key Specifications — HKS Dual Hi-Power
How Loud Is the HKS Hi-Power on the Q60?
The HKS Dual Hi-Power measures 84 dB with the muffler caps installed and 88 dB with the tips fully open, compared to roughly 78 dB from the factory exhaust. That is a deliberately modest jump in raw decibels — HKS tunes the Hi-Power series to deepen and enrich the VR30DDTT’s tone rather than just make it loud. The twin-turbo V6 naturally muffles high-frequency rasp, so the result is a fuller, more mechanical growl under load with minimal highway drone at a 75-mph cruise.
For owners who street their Q60 daily, the caps-in setting keeps interior comfort close to stock while adding presence on throttle. Track-day and canyon drivers can pull the caps in minutes for the tips-open 88 dB tune. This two-mode flexibility is a genuine advantage over fixed-volume systems, and it is the single feature Q60 owners cite most often when choosing the HKS over louder, one-note alternatives.
Back-to-back in our Tampa shop, the difference between the two settings is immediately obvious. Caps in, the Q60 idles with a subtly deepened hum and stays civil at a highway cruise; tips open, it snarls on tip-in and pops lightly on lift-off. Crucially, neither setting droned badly at 70–80 mph in our testing — highway drone is the single most common complaint we hear about cheaper straight-through systems on this chassis, and the HKS muffler design largely engineers it out.
The HKS system’s 120mm burnt-titanium tips and removable Hybrid Sound caps.
Does a Cat-Back Add Horsepower on the VR30DDTT?
On a turbocharged engine like the Q60’s VR30DDTT, a cat-back exhaust delivers modest power on its own — expect low-double-digit gains, not a transformation. Independent dyno testing of Q60/Q50 3.0t cars shows a stand-alone cat-back is worth roughly 15–19 hp at the top of the rev range, because the biggest restriction on these cars lives upstream in the factory catted downpipes, not the cat-back. The real value of a premium cat-back like the HKS is sound, flow headroom, and weight savings — plus it is the correct foundation for the rest of the bolt-on path.
Here is where the Q60 platform gets exciting: add high-flow downpipes and the same car picks up 25–35 rear-wheel horsepower with no tune required, and a downpipe-plus-cat-back combination on the stock tune has produced gains as large as 39 hp and 68 lb-ft on a Red Sport coupe. Layer in an ECU tune and supporting mods and full-bolt-on VR30 builds routinely reach 420–440 whp on 93 octane — roughly a 200-whp swing over stock on E30. Start with the HKS cat-back, then build toward downpipes, cooling, and a tune.
Turbo VR30 cars respond to cooling — an upgraded intercooler unlocks the cat-back’s headroom.
HKS vs Borla vs Revel: Q60 Cat-Back Comparison
All three cat-backs we stock for the 2017–2022 Q60 3.0t are quality, made-for-the-platform systems, but they target different buyers. The HKS Dual Hi-Power is the premium, adjustable-volume choice with titanium tips. The Borla S-Type is the mid-priced enthusiast favorite: T-304 stainless, a 2.25-inch cat-back with a merge X-pipe, 4.5-inch polished tips, an aggressive-yet-refined tone from Borla’s patented Polyphonic Harmonizer, and a Million-Mile Warranty. The Revel Medallion Touring-S is the value pick — full SUS304 with 1.5mm mandrel-bent piping, Advantex packing, and a clean, deep tone measured under 93 dB that stays pleasant at every RPM.
| Kit | Construction | Tips | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HKS Dual Hi-Power TitaniumTop Pick | SUS304, dual 60–67.5mm | 120mm burnt titanium | Adjustable sound + Ti look | $2,990.00 |
| Borla S-Type | T-304, 2.25in merge X-pipe | 4.5in polished stainless | Deep tone + lifetime warranty | $2,034.99 |
| Revel Medallion Touring-S | SUS304, 1.5mm mandrel | Dual-wall angle-cut | Refined daily value | $705.60 |
Borla’s 4.5-inch polished T-304 tips deliver the classic Sound of Power on the Q60.
Fitment, Materials, and Installation
The HKS Dual Hi-Power (part 31014-KN001) is a direct bolt-on for the 2017–2022 Infiniti Q60 3.0t RWD, covering the 300-hp base 3.0t and the 400-hp Red Sport 400. It mounts to the factory hangers and connects to the OEM mid-pipe, so no cutting or welding is required — a competent DIYer can complete the swap on a lift or jack stands in about two to three hours using hand tools. Because it is full SUS304 stainless with titanium tips, corrosion resistance is excellent and the tips hold their burnt-bronze finish over time.
A few fitment notes from our Tampa shop: confirm your Q60 is the RWD 3.0t model, torque the slip-fit clamps evenly to keep the dual tips level, and allow the titanium tips to heat-cycle — the coloring deepens after the first few hard drives. If you plan to add downpipes later, the HKS cat-back mates cleanly to aftermarket high-flow or catless downpipes, so you will not need to replace it as your build grows.
Completing the Q60 Build: Cooling, Handling, and Style
A cat-back is the first step; the VR30DDTT rewards a supporting-mod plan. Because these turbos use an air-to-water intercooler, charge-air cooling is the biggest limiter on repeated hard pulls. A Mishimoto air-to-water intercooler and matching heat exchanger keep intake temps in check so the engine holds timing and boost, which is exactly what lets a freer-flowing exhaust do its job. (Note: the Mishimoto intercooler is not CARB-compliant and cannot ship to California.)
A larger heat exchanger stabilizes charge temps on the air-to-water VR30DDTT.
On the chassis side, a set of Eibach Pro-Kit lowering springs drops the Q60 about an inch, tightens the stance, and reduces body roll while keeping a streetable ride on the factory dampers. For owners chasing the full sport-coupe look, a lightweight Seibon TSII-style carbon fiber hood shaves weight over the nose and pairs naturally with the titanium exhaust tips. Together, these bolt-ons turn a strong factory GT into a genuinely sharp driver’s car.
Eibach Pro-Kit springs sharpen the Q60’s stance and handling on OEM dampers.
A Seibon carbon hood trims front-end weight and completes the look.
That is the real argument for starting with the right cat-back: nothing you bolt on afterward makes the HKS redundant. It flows enough for a full-bolt-on VR30, it sounds the part with the caps in or out, and its titanium tips read as a factory-plus upgrade rather than a boy-racer add-on. For a 2017–2022 Q60 3.0t owner deciding where to spend the first upgrade dollar, this is the exhaust we point them toward first at NLP Performance.
What We Like
- + Hybrid Sound caps tune volume from 84 dB to 88 dB
- + Full SUS304 stainless with 120mm burnt-titanium tips
- + Larger 60–67.5mm dual piping vs OEM 45mm, 27.1 kg
- + Bolt-on fit; mates to aftermarket downpipes later
Things to Consider
- – Premium price — the most expensive Q60 cat-back we stock
- – Big power needs downpipes and a tune, not the cat-back alone
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the HKS cat-back add horsepower to the Q60 3.0t?
A cat-back alone adds roughly 15–19 hp at the top of the rev range on the VR30DDTT, because the main restriction on the Q60 3.0t is in the factory downpipes. The HKS Hi-Power’s biggest gains are sound, weight savings (27.1 kg), and flow headroom. Add high-flow downpipes for another 25–35 rear-wheel horsepower and an ECU tune for the largest gains.
How loud is the HKS Hi-Power exhaust on the Q60?
The HKS Dual Hi-Power measures 84 dB with the muffler caps installed and 88 dB with the tips open, versus about 78 dB from the stock exhaust. The removable Hybrid Sound caps let you switch between a refined daily tone and a louder, more aggressive note in minutes.
Will this exhaust fit my Infiniti Q60?
The HKS Dual Hi-Power (part 31014-KN001) fits the 2017–2022 Infiniti Q60 3.0t RWD, including both the 300-hp base 3.0t and the 400-hp Red Sport 400. It is a direct bolt-on to the factory mid-pipe and hangers with no cutting required.
Is the HKS Q60 cat-back better than the Borla S-Type?
For sound flexibility and titanium tips, yes — the HKS Hi-Power offers an adjustable 84–88 dB tone and burnt-titanium tips at $2,990. The Borla S-Type is the better value at $2,034.99 with T-304 stainless, a merge X-pipe, and a Million-Mile Warranty, delivering a deep, aggressive note. Choose HKS for adjustability and Borla for value plus warranty.
How long does it take to install a Q60 cat-back exhaust?
A Q60 3.0t cat-back is a bolt-on job that takes about two to three hours with hand tools on a lift or jack stands. No cutting or welding is required because the HKS system connects to the OEM mid-pipe and factory hangers.
What should I upgrade after the exhaust on a Q60 3.0t?
After the cat-back, add high-flow downpipes and an ECU tune for the biggest power gains on the VR30DDTT. Support the turbos with an upgraded air-to-water intercooler and heat exchanger to control charge temps, then refine the chassis with lowering springs. This bolt-on path can reach 420–440 whp on 93 octane.
Ready to Upgrade Your Q60?
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