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The CMST cat-back exhaust for the Nissan GT-R R35 is a lightweight, dual-side twin-exit system fabricated from SUS304 stainless steel with a brushed finish. It weighs less than the factory exhaust, which matters on a heavy car like the GT-R, and its smoother, larger-bore routing reduces back-pressure to free up exhaust flow. The result is a fuller, deeper exhaust note and crisper response at higher rpm, without resorting to invented power figures — the genuine gains here are weight, flow and sound.

• Vehicle: Nissan GT-R R35 (twin-turbo VR38DETT V6)
• Construction: SUS304 stainless steel, brushed finish
• Layout: Dual-side, twin-exit (quad tips) cat-back
• Section design: Front pipes with braided flex joints, mid pipe, rear mufflers and tips
• Key benefits: Lighter than OEM, reduced back-pressure, deeper note, sharper high-rpm response

Why exhaust weight matters on the GT-R R35

The R35 GT-R is brutally fast but carries significant kerb weight, so shedding mass is one of the most effective ways to improve how the car drives. The factory exhaust is a heavy assembly, and replacing it with a lighter stainless system removes weight from low and far back in the chassis. On a car where weight is the main dynamic compromise, lightening the exhaust is a meaningful, no-downside upgrade. CMST builds this system to be noticeably lighter than the OEM unit while retaining the durability of a full stainless construction. Explore comparable systems in the CMST Catback Exhaust collection.

SUS304 stainless steel construction

The system is fabricated from SUS304 — the international-standard austenitic stainless grade used for quality performance exhausts. SUS304 resists corrosion and tolerates the repeated heat cycling an exhaust endures, so it holds up to Australian conditions and long-term use far better than mild steel. CMST finishes the pipework with a brushed (hairline) surface, which gives it a clean, metallic appearance and a uniform look across the welds. The welds themselves are a good indicator of quality on any exhaust; a well-built SUS304 system uses consistent, fully-penetrated welds at every join.

How the system is built, section by section

A GT-R cat-back of this type is made up of several sections that bolt together, which makes shipping, installation and any future servicing more manageable.

Front pipes and braided flex joints

The front section uses a pair of pipes fitted with braided stainless flex joints. Flex joints are important on a turbocharged, high-output engine: they absorb engine movement and thermal expansion, isolating the rest of the exhaust from vibration and reducing the risk of cracked joints over time. They also make alignment during installation more forgiving.

Mid pipe

The mid pipe links the front section to the rear mufflers. Straightening and smoothing the bends here — compared with the more convoluted factory routing — is what reduces back-pressure. Lower back-pressure lets exhaust gas leave the engine more freely, which improves the exhaust side of the engine's breathing and is felt most as sharper response higher in the rev range.

Rear mufflers and quad tips

The rear section carries the mufflers and the GT-R's signature quad tips in a dual-side, twin-exit arrangement. The muffler design balances flow against noise control, and the polished tips finish the look behind the rear diffuser. This twin-exit layout suits the GT-R's wide rear and pairs naturally with carbon rear lips and diffusers from the Nissan GT-R R35 Body Kit range.

Sound and response: what to expect

The most immediately noticeable change is the sound. By lowering back-pressure and smoothing the exhaust path, the system gives the GT-R a fuller, deeper note with more presence under load, while the freer flow helps the engine feel keener as the revs climb. Compared with the muted factory exhaust, the CMST system lets more of the twin-turbo V6's character through. It is a performance cat-back focused on flow, weight and tone rather than a switchable valved system, so it has a consistent character across the rev range. If you specifically want a quiet-to-loud switchable note, ask our team about valved alternatives.

A note on power claims

A freer-flowing, lighter cat-back is a sound foundation, but honest expectations matter: on a turbocharged engine, the cat-back is only one part of the airflow path, and headline power gains depend on the downpipes, tune and the rest of the system. We do not quote specific dyno figures for this exhaust because real-world results vary with the car's overall configuration. What this system reliably delivers is reduced weight, lower back-pressure, improved exhaust flow and a stronger sound — with any power benefit best confirmed on a dyno for your specific build. Browse the wider Nissan Body Kit and carbon range to complete the look.

Where the cat-back sits in a GT-R exhaust upgrade

It helps to understand what a "cat-back" actually covers. The term means everything from the catalytic converters rearward — the mid pipe, mufflers and tips — and leaves the downpipes, catalysts and turbos untouched. That makes a cat-back the most popular first exhaust upgrade because it improves sound, flow and weight without altering the emissions hardware ahead of it, and it bolts to factory hangers for a straightforward fitment. On the GT-R specifically, the cat-back is where you gain the deeper note and the weight saving with the least complexity.

If you later progress to high-flow downpipes and a tune, this cat-back continues to work as the rearmost section of a fuller system, so it is a sensible foundation rather than a dead end. Keeping the catalysts in place also matters for road legality in Australia, where removing or gutting catalytic converters renders a car non-compliant for road use. This system is designed to retain the factory emissions setup, which keeps it street-appropriate when fitted correctly.

Caring for a stainless exhaust

SUS304 is low-maintenance, but a little care keeps it looking and performing its best. The brushed finish can be wiped down to remove road grime, and the tips can be polished to keep them bright. Stainless will discolour with heat over time, particularly near the mufflers — this is normal and cosmetic. Periodically check that the flex joints and hangers are secure and free of stress cracks, especially on a powerful, high-torque engine where exhaust loads are significant. A well-built SUS304 system like this is designed to last the life of the car with minimal attention.

Fitment in Australia

As a sectioned bolt-on cat-back, the system is designed to fit the R35 GT-R's factory hangers and mounting points, and is best installed by a workshop familiar with the platform. Plan for the car to be raised safely, the old system removed, and the new sections aligned so the quad tips sit symmetrically in the rear bumper or diffuser. As with any exhaust change, the system must meet your state's stationary and drive-by noise limits, so have noise checked after fitment. Pair the exhaust with a carbon rear diffuser from the CMST diffuser for Nissan collection for a finished rear end.

Frequently asked questions

Does the CMST GT-R exhaust fit all R35 model years?

The system is built for the Nissan GT-R R35. Because the R35 had several updates over its long production run, confirm your exact model year with our team before ordering so the correct section configuration and tip placement are supplied.

Is the exhaust lighter than the factory system?

Yes. CMST fabricates the system from SUS304 stainless to be lighter than the OEM exhaust. Reducing exhaust weight is particularly worthwhile on the GT-R, where overall kerb weight is the car's main dynamic compromise.

Will this exhaust add horsepower?

A lighter, lower-back-pressure cat-back improves exhaust flow and can support better response, but on a turbocharged engine the cat-back is only one element of the airflow path. We do not quote specific power figures because results depend on your downpipes, tune and overall build; confirm any gains on a dyno.

Is it a valved exhaust?

This is a performance cat-back focused on flow, weight and a consistent deeper tone rather than a switchable valved system. If you want a system that toggles between quiet and loud modes, ask our team about valved options for the GT-R.

What does SUS304 stainless steel mean?

SUS304 is the international-standard austenitic stainless grade used for quality performance exhausts. It resists corrosion and withstands repeated heat cycling, making it durable and long-lasting in Australian driving conditions.

Will it be road-legal for noise in my state?

A cat-back changes the exhaust note, and every state enforces stationary and drive-by noise limits. The system should be checked against your local noise regulations after installation to ensure compliance.

Want to lighten and free up your GT-R's exhaust? Explore the CMST Catback Exhaust collection at AME Motorsport, or contact our team to confirm the right configuration for your R35.