If you're looking to squeeze every last drop of performance out of your VQ37VHR, getting some g37 sedan long tube headers is probably the single biggest hardware change you can make before you start looking at forced induction. Let's be real, the factory exhaust manifolds on the G37 are pretty much designed to keep the car quiet and emissions-compliant, not to help the engine breathe. They're these heavy, cast-iron lumps that dump straight into restrictive catalytic converters. By swapping those out for long tubes, you're essentially letting your engine exhale without having to fight through a straw.
I've spent a lot of time around the G-chassis community, and the debate between shorty headers and long tubes is one that never really ends. But honestly, if you're chasing power, long tubes win every time. They replace both the manifold and the catalytic converter (or test pipe) with one continuous piece of piping. This smooths out the airflow and uses exhaust scavenging to pull more spent gases out of the combustion chamber. The result? A noticeable jump in horsepower and a sound that'll definitely wake up the neighbors.
Why Long Tubes Beat the Standard Setup
The main reason people go for g37 sedan long tube headers instead of just getting test pipes is the efficiency. When you have a separate header and a test pipe, you have a flange and a gasket right where the air is moving at its highest velocity. This can cause turbulence. Long tubes eliminate that junction. The runners are also much longer—hence the name—which helps specifically with mid-range and top-end torque.
If you've ever looked at the stock manifolds, you'll see how the runners from each cylinder just kind of crash into each other. It's messy. A well-designed set of long tubes features tuned runner lengths, meaning the exhaust pulses are timed so they don't interfere with one another. On a naturally aspirated V6 like ours, that kind of fluid dynamics makes a huge difference in how the car pulls past 5,000 RPM.
The Sound Factor
We can't talk about long tubes without talking about the noise. The G37 has a very distinct exhaust note—that VQ "trumpet" or "drone" that people either love or hate. When you install long tube headers, that sound gets amplified and sharpened. It becomes more of a mechanical scream at high RPMs.
However, there is a trade-off. Long tubes are notorious for adding "rasp." If you have a cheap cat-back exhaust or you're running a straight-pipe setup, adding long tubes might make your car sound like a swarm of angry bees in a tin can. To get that deep, exotic growl, you usually need to pair your headers with a high-quality resonated cat-back. Something like a Motordyne Shockwave or a Fast Intentions setup handles the increased airflow from the headers without letting the rasp take over.
Installation: Prepare for a Headache
I'm not going to sugarcoat it: installing g37 sedan long tube headers is a massive pain in the neck. If you're doing this on jack stands in your driveway, clear your schedule and maybe buy a 12-pack of something cold, because you're going to be there for a while.
The biggest hurdle is the "demon bolts." These are the bolts connecting the stock manifolds to the catalytic converters. They are tucked way up in the engine bay, usually rusted to hell, and have almost zero clearance for a socket wrench. Most guys end up using about three feet of extensions and a swivel joint to reach them through the wheel well.
Then there's the steering rack. On the G37 sedan, space is incredibly tight. Depending on the brand of headers you buy, you might have to unbolt the steering shaft or even slightly lift the engine to get the new headers to slide into place. It's a tight squeeze, and your knuckles will likely pay the price. If you aren't comfortable with advanced DIY work, this might be one of those jobs where you just pay a reputable shop to handle the headache for you.
Choosing the Right Brand
Not all g37 sedan long tube headers are created equal. You'll see prices ranging from $400 for no-name eBay specials to over $2,000 for top-tier handcrafted sets.
PPE Engineering
These are often considered the gold standard for the VQ platform. They're usually made to order and offer incredible fitment. PPE headers are known for their stepped design, which helps maintain exhaust velocity. They aren't cheap, but if you want the best possible power gains, these are usually at the top of the list.
Fast Intentions
Another heavy hitter in the G37 world. Their headers are beautiful pieces of stainless steel art. They focus a lot on the quality of the welds and the thickness of the flanges, so you don't have to worry about them warping or leaking over time.
Motordyne
While they are more famous for their intake manifolds and exhausts, their long tubes are legendary. They feature a unique collector design that specifically aims to reduce that VQ rasp we talked about earlier.
ISR Performance
If you're on a budget, ISR is a very popular choice. They're significantly cheaper than PPE or Fast Intentions. Are they as good? Maybe not in terms of absolute finish or perfect equal-length runners, but for the price, the power gains are still very real. Just be prepared for slightly more "fiddling" during the install.
Don't Forget the Tune
You can't just bolt on a set of g37 sedan long tube headers and call it a day. Well, you can, but your car is going to run like crap. Because you're removing the catalytic converters, your secondary O2 sensors are going to freak out and throw a Check Engine Light (CEL) immediately.
More importantly, the air-fuel ratio will be way off. The engine is now moving significantly more air than the factory ECU map expects. To actually see the 20–30 horsepower gains that these headers are capable of, you need a custom tune. Most people in the community go with EcuTek or UpRev. A professional tuner can adjust the timing and fueling to take advantage of the new airflow, and they can also "tune out" the CEL so you aren't staring at a glowing orange light on your dash forever.
Is it Worth It for the Sedan?
A lot of people ask if it's worth doing this to a sedan versus the coupe. The answer is a resounding yes. The G37 sedan is actually slightly lighter than the coupe in some trims, and it has a slightly better weight distribution. Making a "sleeper" sedan that can keep up with modern sports cars is a lot of fun.
The only specific thing to watch out for is if you have the AWD model (the G37x). The front differential and axles on the AWD version make the header clearance even tighter than it is on the RWD models. Some headers designed for the RWD G37 won't fit the AWD version at all, so always double-check the fitment notes before you hit that "buy" button.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, upgrading to g37 sedan long tube headers is a commitment. It's an expensive part, a difficult install, and it basically requires a tune to work properly. It also makes your car much louder and potentially less "street legal" depending on where you live, since you're ditching the cats.
But, if you love the G37 platform and you want that raw, mechanical feel and the top-end pull that makes the VQ engine famous, there's no substitute. It transforms the car from a quick luxury sedan into something that feels and sounds like a legitimate track machine. Just do yourself a favor: get good gaskets, take your time with the install, and definitely get a tune. Your G37 will thank you for it.