Nissan 370Z Forum - View Single Post - Review - Fast Intention 3" TDX

Dembflyr · 05-24-2012, 03:52 PM

I have had my Fast Intentions 3" non-resonated TDX for about three weeks now so it's time for a review.

First the backstory,
I originally had a Berk 2.5" exhaust with Berk HFC's on my Z. I really liked the sound from that combo and never thought I would change it. My initial exhaust choice was based on the fact that I had Intended on going with a GTM Stage II SC. I wound up changing my mind to a GTM Stage I TT with external waste gates and 3" down pipes.

After I installed the TT kit I found that everything I liked about the Berk sound was gone. The turbos were quieting down the exhaust far more than I had anticipated.

I looked around for a 3" system and found that there really aren't many choices.

I thought about modifying the Berk and removing the resonators but I didn't want to hurt the resale value. Plus that really wouldn't give me any power benefit.

As I was trying to decide what to do I saw a post by Ron that said he had possibly talked Tony into making a 3" version of his TDX.

I spoke with Tony for almost an hour in the first call. You really get the sense that Tony is a car guy and his passion for what he does shows. I'm sure you've all read the glowing reviews about how he is to do business with. There is no BS in those reviews. You can see it in the way he keeps the other thread updated. And it is apparent as soon as you talk to him.
I put down my deposit for a 3" TDX with 18" resonators in mid January and sold the Berk soon after.

There were some delays in the building of the prototype but Tony kept me up to date as much as possible.

During one of our conversations Tony was remarking as to how quiet the system was with resonators and he felt that it didn't need them. I was apprehensive because I didn't want it to be overly loud. Tony reassured me that if it was too loud that we could add the resonators later. I decided to go non resonated.

I also expected some delays as I know it was a new design. My car was away for the winter anyway so it didn't matter. We had a unseasonably warm winter and I was dying to drive my car so I started driving it with no exhaust. At first it was cool to hear the turbos spooling but it got tiring fast. Here couple of vids with the open dumps:

Here is an example of Tony's attention to detail. As my exhaust was being packaged some scratches were discovered on the cans. Rather than just put it in the box and send it out he made arrangements to have them buffed out. Tony called me right away and explained that he couldn't let it out the door this way. This caused a slight further delay in me getting my exhaust but that didn't bother me one bit. It's that attention to detail that has made a Fast Intentions system worth waiting for. I waited longer for my Berk and it was pretty scratched up.

Here is the system laid out on the garage floor:

The install was straight forward. Everything lined up great. I had it installed in less than an hour.

Ground clearance is better than stock. And that is awesome since I am now lower with my Swifts:

Here are some installed pics:

Here is the first start up:

Now for the good stuff. The sound is classic Fast Intentions. Low and smooth but aggressive when you get on it.

I installed the exhaust on a Monday and the next day I had to go to St Louis for work. It was a 560 mile round trip. The sound wasn't the least bit fatiguing. There is some drone but if you think you're not going to get drone with no cats and 3" piping from the turbos back then you're nuts.

Seriously though if you want a super quiet you could always add 18" resonators and the high flow cats in the lead pipes.

I had borrowed a Go Pro but the sound quality was poor. Then I took a chance and attached my iPhone to the bumper and well....

And then theres....

Some of you may know about the issues that I was having with getting my external waste gate recirculation pipes to line up. Well, after deciding to give them one more try, and removing every pipe and also loosening the turbos themselves, I was able to get them in. I am much happier with the sound now that there isnt screaming waste gates to ruin the sound of the FI exhaust.

If you have a Greddy or GTM TT, it would be silly to not go with this exhaust.

Another totally satisfied Fast Intention customer.

Thanks again Tony!

05-24-2012, 03:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dembflyr Track Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 886 Drives: G37S Sedan Rep Power: 16	Review - Fast Intentions 3" TDX - GTM version I have had my Fast Intentions 3" non-resonated TDX for about three weeks now so it's time for a review. First the backstory, I originally had a Berk 2.5" exhaust with Berk HFC's on my Z. I really liked the sound from that combo and never thought I would change it. My initial exhaust choice was based on the fact that I had Intended on going with a GTM Stage II SC. I wound up changing my mind to a GTM Stage I TT with external waste gates and 3" down pipes. After I installed the TT kit I found that everything I liked about the Berk sound was gone. The turbos were quieting down the exhaust far more than I had anticipated. I looked around for a 3" system and found that there really aren't many choices. I thought about modifying the Berk and removing the resonators but I didn't want to hurt the resale value. Plus that really wouldn't give me any power benefit. As I was trying to decide what to do I saw a post by Ron that said he had possibly talked Tony into making a 3" version of his TDX. I spoke with Tony for almost an hour in the first call. You really get the sense that Tony is a car guy and his passion for what he does shows. I'm sure you've all read the glowing reviews about how he is to do business with. There is no BS in those reviews. You can see it in the way he keeps the other thread updated. And it is apparent as soon as you talk to him. I put down my deposit for a 3" TDX with 18" resonators in mid January and sold the Berk soon after. There were some delays in the building of the prototype but Tony kept me up to date as much as possible. During one of our conversations Tony was remarking as to how quiet the system was with resonators and he felt that it didn't need them. I was apprehensive because I didn't want it to be overly loud. Tony reassured me that if it was too loud that we could add the resonators later. I decided to go non resonated. I also expected some delays as I know it was a new design. My car was away for the winter anyway so it didn't matter. We had a unseasonably warm winter and I was dying to drive my car so I started driving it with no exhaust. At first it was cool to hear the turbos spooling but it got tiring fast. Here couple of vids with the open dumps: Here is an example of Tony's attention to detail. As my exhaust was being packaged some scratches were discovered on the cans. Rather than just put it in the box and send it out he made arrangements to have them buffed out. Tony called me right away and explained that he couldn't let it out the door this way. This caused a slight further delay in me getting my exhaust but that didn't bother me one bit. It's that attention to detail that has made a Fast Intentions system worth waiting for. I waited longer for my Berk and it was pretty scratched up. Here is the system laid out on the garage floor: The install was straight forward. Everything lined up great. I had it installed in less than an hour. Ground clearance is better than stock. And that is awesome since I am now lower with my Swifts: Here are some installed pics: Here is the first start up: Now for the good stuff. The sound is classic Fast Intentions. Low and smooth but aggressive when you get on it. I installed the exhaust on a Monday and the next day I had to go to St Louis for work. It was a 560 mile round trip. The sound wasn't the least bit fatiguing. There is some drone but if you think you're not going to get drone with no cats and 3" piping from the turbos back then you're nuts. Seriously though if you want a super quiet you could always add 18" resonators and the high flow cats in the lead pipes. I had borrowed a Go Pro but the sound quality was poor. Then I took a chance and attached my iPhone to the bumper and well.... And then theres.... Some of you may know about the issues that I was having with getting my external waste gate recirculation pipes to line up. Well, after deciding to give them one more try, and removing every pipe and also loosening the turbos themselves, I was able to get them in. I am much happier with the sound now that there isnt screaming waste gates to ruin the sound of the FI exhaust. If you have a Greddy or GTM TT, it would be silly to not go with this exhaust. Another totally satisfied Fast Intention customer. Thanks again Tony! __________________ 2012 G37S Sedan 6MT - Project Practicality 2009-6MT-Sport/Touring-Dembflyr's Journal-TT Build Thread-CAR IS SOLD Last edited by Dembflyr; 05-25-2012 at 03:42 PM.