View Single Post
Old 12-30-2009, 07:05 PM   #1 (permalink)
speedworks
Track Member
 
speedworks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 550
Drives: PW purchased 01/09
Rep Power: 18
speedworks is on a distinguished road
Default FI Review - 12" Resonators and custom skid plates

Well, I got up this morning, and knowing that the exhaust was going to show up today, I decided to take a chance and take off the exhaust and get the car ready. I put some anti-seize on all of the bolts 2 days ago, and the exhaust came off very easily - zero issues, took about 30 minutes. I only lifted the rear end, and put the jack stands under the spring location (with wood as a buffer) - this was enough room, even for a fat guy like me. It was actually funny, once I finished, I went inside to warm up, and then the UPS guy showed up - perfect timing. So, I went back outside (~25 degrees), and started to unpack it. It was Christmas all over! I went with the 12" resonators, and had Tony weld on some custom skid plates on the lowest part -they came out fantastic. I will be lowering the car in the future, and wanted to prepare for (or insure against) any possibilities of damage from scrapeing. The welded on skid plates look great - see pics. As others have already mentioned, the overall look and quality of the product is top notch, including the packaging. I was lucky and no damage occured in shipping, so I didn't take off my OEM exhaust for nothing. So, I began the install. I did one thing different with wrapping the unprotected hoses with a heat shield. FI gives you one section, but I had heat tape already, so I coated all of the tubes/hoses/connectors with heat wrap (just in case). Also, cutting the heat shield was very easy (no-one should worry about doing that). Followed the instructions, and within 2 hours I had the exhaust on the car - very easy, although it was nice to have the right tools (power tools). The hardest part was tightening the upper bolts on the x-pipe to muffler connectors since they were hidden, and had little room to move. In the end, I had to use spacers on the left muffler (4 small ones) and get the heights exactly the same.

I started it up and all I can say is AWESOME! This car is completely different now, and none of the videos online do it justice. I took it for a 30 minute drive, and found myself never turning on the radio - it was music to my ears hearing the exhaust. The car also felt faster, but no data to prove it, and don't plan on any dyno runs. I also did not hear any drone, and was purposely shifting into various gears at various speeds to hear anything - and heard nothing (it is still early though). I found myself wanting to gas it more often.

Nothing new with the customer service part of FI. Tony was very informative over the phone, even worked with my request for skid plates (and they came out awesome). There was no pressure, and the timing was exactly what he told me it would be. Exhaust arrived on time, with no shipping issues, and all of the parts/bolts/etc. This is a fantastic exhaust for the money. From one ex-military person to another - Tony, keep up the good work.

Those concerned about how low it is, I don't think it will be an issue. After looking at it installed, there is a lot of room between the exhaust and the ground - sure I added some insurance, but I honestly don't think I will scrape at all (even after I put the suspension on). Those that haven't jumped in yet, do it, it's worth it - great product, great company.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg no-exhaust-x.jpg (87.7 KB, 108 views)
File Type: jpg old-v-new-x.jpg (115.5 KB, 130 views)
File Type: jpg old-v-new1-x.jpg (113.4 KB, 107 views)
File Type: jpg cut-shield-x.jpg (98.2 KB, 113 views)
File Type: jpg heat-wrap-x.jpg (98.8 KB, 115 views)
File Type: jpg skid-x.jpg (102.3 KB, 124 views)
File Type: jpg skid2-x.jpg (92.5 KB, 176 views)
File Type: jpg skid3-x.jpg (97.3 KB, 196 views)
File Type: jpg underneath-finish-x.jpg (81.4 KB, 203 views)
File Type: jpg finish-ground-x.jpg (80.2 KB, 119 views)
speedworks is offline   Reply With Quote