AWE Track Edition Exhaust for Nissan Z (RZ34)

The RZ34 — A Twin-Turbo VR30DDTT in a Z Wrapper

The 2023+ Nissan Z RZ34 is a meaningful platform change from the old 370Z it replaced. Where the Z34 ran the naturally aspirated 3.7L VQ37VHR V6 — a high-revving but relatively soft engine — the RZ34 uses Nissan's 3.0L twin-turbo VR30DDTT (sourced from the V37 Skyline / Infiniti Q50 Red Sport / Q60 Red Sport). It's a proper modern engine: twin-turbo, direct-injected, with substantially more torque, broader powerband, and a fundamentally different exhaust character. AWE recognised that and engineered a complete catback specifically for the chassis — not a 370Z fitment adapted to fit.

The chassis itself is built on a slightly updated FM platform, manufactured at Nissan's Tochigi Plant in Kaminokawa on the same assembly line that used to build the 370Z. Same 2.55m wheelbase as the Z34 but with substantially revised chassis tuning, suspension geometry, and structural reinforcement. AWE's exhaust is engineered for this specific platform.

What "Track Edition" Means on the RZ34

AWE's Track Edition for the RZ34 keeps the same dual 3" architecture, X-pipe, robust mid-pipe resonators, and 5" tips as the Touring Edition — but deletes AWE's patented 180 Technology rear resonators in favour of straight sections. The result is more pronounced volume in the cabin during mid-range acceleration, deceleration, and cruising. In other words: louder, rawer, more present.

This isn't a muffler-delete in the traditional sense — the X-pipe and mid-pipe resonators still control rasp and keep the V6 soundtrack clean. What's missing is the cabin drone control. That's deliberate. AWE designed Track Edition for owners who want the unfiltered VR30DDTT soundtrack at all speeds, and who are happy to accept some highway drone as the cost of that character.

AWE itself flags this clearly: "may be too much for many — especially with aftermarket components upstream." Take that warning seriously. AWE's no-returns policy on Track Edition systems globally — including in Australia through Chicane — exists because the volume is genuinely polarising. If you commute long distances on the highway or have neighbours who care about noise at 6am, this is probably the wrong product. If your Z is a weekend toy, a track-day weapon, or a city-driven car where short trips dominate, Track Edition is the right pick.

If drone control matters to you, see AWE's Touring Edition — same X-pipe, same robust mid-pipe resonators, but with 180 Technology rear resonators that eliminate cabin drone while keeping exterior tone. Contact us if you'd like to source the Touring Edition variant.

Why the X-Pipe Matters on the RZ34

The VR30DDTT is a 60-degree twin-turbo V6 — and one of the inherent challenges of any V6 exhaust system is rasp on overrun caused by uneven exhaust pulse timing between the two banks. A poorly-engineered V6 exhaust ends up with a coarse, ratty quality that ruins the engine's character. AWE's solution on the RZ34 is a symmetric X-pipe with tailored geometry that equalises pulses between the two banks before they reach the rest of the system.

The X-pipe also gives the RZ34 its distinctive AWE soundtrack — a smoother, more exotic V6 tone that feels closer to a European V6 (think Audi RS / Maserati) than a traditional Japanese V6. The robust mid-pipe resonators handle the remaining rasp control, and on the Track Edition, what reaches the cabin is the cleaned-up version of the VR30DDTT's natural voice.

AWE explicitly mentions that the system is "built for big boost" — meaning the dual 3" sizing isn't about marketing, it's because the platform supports significant power upgrades and AWE didn't want the catback to become a bottleneck on a tuned RZ34.

Tip Choice — Diamond Black or Chrome Silver

The Track Edition ships with dual 5" double-walled slash-cut tips in your choice of:

Diamond Black: More aggressive aesthetic, hides road grime exceptionally well — particularly noticeable on Seiran Blue, Rosewood Metallic, and Ikazuchi Yellow RZ34 colours.

Chrome Silver: Traditional polished look, matches the factory satin tip aesthetic on most RZ34 trims. The standard choice if your Z has factory chrome accents and you want visual continuity.

Both are double-walled to prevent bluing from heat. Tips are individually adjustable for bumper depth — meaning you can dial in exactly how far the tips protrude or recess to match your aesthetic preference. Most aftermarket exhausts force you to live with whatever depth the manufacturer chose.

AWE Track Edition vs Touring Edition vs Tomei Ti RACING

The RZ34 has fewer aftermarket exhaust options than older Z platforms but the choices that do exist are quality. Here's how they break down:

AWE Track Edition (this product): Maximum cabin volume, no 180 Tech drone control, dual 3" with X-pipe. Best for weekend cars and track-focused builds where you want unfiltered VR30DDTT character.

AWE Touring Edition: Same dual 3" architecture and X-pipe as Track, but with 180 Technology rear resonators that eliminate highway drone. Best for daily drivers who want a meaningful upgrade without the social cost of a constantly loud exhaust. Available to order — contact us.

Tomei Ti RACING: Japanese full-titanium race-spec catback. Significantly lighter than the AWE stainless system, single-exit JDM aesthetic, much more aggressive sound character (the hardest-edged tone Tomei makes). Best for track cars or owners who prioritise titanium weight savings and a traditional Japanese racing exhaust look. Read our deep-dive Tomei Japan Titanium Exhaust Buyer's Guide for the full Tomei range comparison — Ti RACING is the RZ34 option in the Tomei catalogue.

All three are viable. Choose based on what matters most: drone control (AWE Touring), maximum stainless cabin volume (AWE Track Edition), or titanium weight savings and JDM character (Tomei Ti RACING).

Tuning & Drivetrain Considerations

No tune required for the catback alone. The AWE Track Edition is a catback system — it fits from the catalytic converter rearward and is fully compatible with the factory ECU. AWE provides their No CEL Guarantee, meaning no check engine lights when properly installed and used as intended.

Designed for both manual and automatic. AWE engineered and tested the system on both transmission options — the 6-speed manual and the 9-speed automatic. Same SKU fits both.

Engineered with aftermarket downpipes in mind. The system includes bespoke adapter plates and gaskets to mate the dual 3" architecture to the factory downpipes. If you're running aftermarket lower DPs, the adapter hardware isn't needed and the catback bolts directly to the larger DP outlets. AWE's sound testing covered both factory and aftermarket DP configurations.

Bigger gains with aftermarket DPs. AWE's dyno-published +6hp / +14 lb-ft figure is conservative — measured on a stock RZ34 with factory downpipes. With aftermarket lower DPs and a quality tune, owners typically see substantially larger gains across the powerband. The catback's dual 3" sizing is specifically designed to support those upgrades.

Drone with Track Edition. The whole point of Track Edition is more cabin volume and presence — including some highway drone. If that's a problem for you, Touring Edition is the better choice. AWE itself doesn't accept returns based on sound preference on Track Edition systems, and we honour that policy at Chicane.

Australian RZ34 Fitment — Important Notes

"US models only" — what AWE actually means. AWE's product line is explicitly stated to be "only confirmed to fit US models of the Nissan Z." This is standard caveat language from US manufacturers — they don't physically test on Australian-delivered vehicles, so they can't certify fitment. In practice, the RZ34 is a globally common platform with the same VR30DDTT engine and the same exhaust mounting points across all markets. Australian RZ34s have fitted AWE catbacks without issue, and we haven't seen any market-specific differences that affect mounting.

That said: if you have a Z NISMO (currently US-market only, but increasingly seen in Australia as private imports), or if you're running aftermarket components that may have changed factory mounting points, contact us before ordering. We'd rather have a 10-minute conversation about your specific build than have you fitting an exhaust that doesn't sit right.

Catback is street-legal. The Track Edition retains the factory catalytic converters and is street-legal in all Australian states. AWE specifically maintains 50-state US emissions compliance (which is the strictest US standard) — that translates well to Australian ADR requirements. Track Edition is significantly louder than factory and may attract attention from state EPA in some circumstances — NSW and VIC EPA have been particularly active on aftermarket exhaust enforcement. If state EPA scrutiny is a concern, Touring Edition is the safer choice.

Supporting Modifications for the RZ34

The RZ34 platform is well-supported at Chicane across the categories that matter most on a twin-turbo V6 sports car:

Brakes: The Performance / Proto Spec / Sport trims of the RZ34 use Akebono 4-pot front and rear calipers — shared with the older Z34 Nismo, V37 Skyline, and Infiniti Q50/Q60 Red Sport. We stock the full DIXCEL 355x32mm front rotors and DIXCEL 350x20mm rear rotors for Akebono-equipped cars. Pads available in M Type (low-dust street), Z Type (street/track), and Specom B (motorsport-only) compounds. Confirm Akebono caliper fitment before ordering — non-Akebono RZ34 trims use different rotor sizes.

Boost & tuning support: The factory plastic diverter valves are a known weak point on the VR30DDTT under sustained boost. The Turbosmart Kompact EM Dual Port BOV is a billet-construction plug-and-play upgrade that addresses this — improves boost response, increases reliability, and adds a crisp turbo sound. Direct OE integration with no modifications required.

Carbon fibre presentation: The Seibon Gloss Carbon Fibre Engine Cover for the RZ34 is a clean visual upgrade that lifts the engine bay aesthetic — premium 3K 2x2 twill weave construction, hand-crafted by Seibon's twenty-plus year carbon programme. Reuses OEM hardware for clean fitment.

Browse the full range: See our complete Nissan Z RZ34 collection for everything we stock for the platform.

Construction, Warranty & Authenticity

The AWE Track Edition for the RZ34 is built from CNC mandrel-bent T304L stainless steel with .065" wall thickness, TIG-welded joints throughout, and double-walled 5" tips that won't blue from heat. AWE backs every system with their lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects, plus their Perfect Fitment Guarantee and No CEL Guarantee. Australian customers receive full warranty support through Chicane.

All AWE product sold at Chicane Australia is supplied through AWE's authorised distribution channel — every system carries verifiable AWE serial identification. Buying from an authorised stockist is the only way to guarantee both genuine product and warranty coverage in Australia.

Buying Notes for the RZ34 in Australia

Confirm Akebono caliper before ordering brakes. Performance / Proto Spec / Sport RZ34s use Akebono 4-pots; base trims use different calipers. The exhaust fits all RZ34s, but supporting brake mods are caliper-specific.

Tip choice — Diamond Black or Chrome Silver. Both 5" double-walled, heat-resistant, individually adjustable for bumper depth.

Australian model variants. AWE's exhaust is engineered for the standard RZ34 (Performance / Sport / Proto Spec). The Z NISMO uses different exhaust hardware and is not specifically covered by AWE's fitment certification. If you have a NISMO, contact us first.

Track Edition no-returns policy. AWE's global policy is that Track Edition systems cannot be returned due to sound preference. We honour this at Chicane. If you're unsure about the volume, the Touring Edition (with 180 Technology drone control) is the safer choice.

Lead times. AWE RZ34 systems typically ship in 7–9 days from order. Contact us if you need it faster — we'll see what we can do.

Need Help Choosing?

The RZ34 is one of the most exciting Japanese sports cars to launch in years, and getting the exhaust character right matters. Trying to decide between AWE Track Edition, AWE Touring Edition, or jumping over to a Tomei Ti RACING titanium system? Contact our team or email sales@chicaneaustralia.com.au — we ride and drive these cars and we're happy to talk it through.

Browse the full AWE Tuning collection, our complete Nissan Z RZ34 parts range, or read our deeper guides:

• AWE Touring vs Track vs SwitchPath: Full Comparison Guide
• AWE's 180 Technology Explained: How It Actually Works
• AWE Conversion Kits: Why They Matter
• Tomei Japan Titanium Exhaust Buyer's Guide