Nissan 370Z Forum - View Single Post

semtex · 03-06-2009, 02:08 PM

I had the Stillen exhaust and the Berk HFCs installed together last night. Total installation time was around 4 hours, and I had a professional mechanic do it for me. Installing the cats was a pain in the butt. Nothing to do with the Berks, mind you. The challenge was with getting the stock cats off. The bolts are super-tight; we actually snapped a universal swivel joint in the process of trying to break one of the bolts loose. Luckily I had a spare. If you're planning to install the Berks, make sure you have one of those long extensions for your ratchet, and also make sure you have an O2 sensor socket.

Initial driving impressions: In a word, WOW. I am so glad I did this. The sound is awesome. The clips I have below do not do the sound justice (but it's the best I can do with my digital camera - sorry about the crappy high-pitched hum). I haven't put the car on a dyno, and don't plan to until I get the Stillen G3 intakes installed. But I noticed a difference in throttle response immediately. I know, I know, some of you are probably muttering derisive comments about the 'butt dyno' right now. So let me explain what I mean. I've actually had to re-acclimate to the throttle tip-in at launch. Like the first few times I started from a standstill, my launches were actually jerky because it was as if I had nailed the throttle a little too hard. So here I am trying to just get moving at a normal pace in traffic, and my head snaps back like I'm attempting a hard launch! So this is what I mean when I say that throttle response is improved.

This combination does not drone while cruising. But make no mistake, under load of acceleration, this combo is a lot louder than the stock setup. To me, it's loud in a good way -- aggressive sounding. There's a little raspiness here and there, but nothing intolerable. Nothing that doesn't put a smile on my face.

Btw, this thread is not intended to be for my car only. I'm the first on this forum to install this combo, so I know that for now it'll seem like it's all about my car. But as others try out this combo, it is my hope that others will add their experiences to this thread as well.

I have pics of the exhaust in the following album: Nissan 370Z Forum - semtex's Album: Stillen Exhaust pics

Here's a couple of pics from that album:

And here are my video clips. One is from the exterior, and I also made one from the inside of the car. Enjoy! Btw - This is the first time I've ever made videos and posted to YouTube, so go easy on me if it sucks.

Edit: Added more clips - consolidating them to original post.

Launch Clip

Drive-by Clip

Synchro-Rev Match Clip

Extended Drive Video

Dyno Results

03-06-2009, 02:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 54 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 33	Stillen Exhaust with Berk HFCs I had the Stillen exhaust and the Berk HFCs installed together last night. Total installation time was around 4 hours, and I had a professional mechanic do it for me. Installing the cats was a pain in the butt. Nothing to do with the Berks, mind you. The challenge was with getting the stock cats off. The bolts are super-tight; we actually snapped a universal swivel joint in the process of trying to break one of the bolts loose. Luckily I had a spare. If you're planning to install the Berks, make sure you have one of those long extensions for your ratchet, and also make sure you have an O2 sensor socket. Initial driving impressions: In a word, WOW. I am so glad I did this. The sound is awesome. The clips I have below do not do the sound justice (but it's the best I can do with my digital camera - sorry about the crappy high-pitched hum). I haven't put the car on a dyno, and don't plan to until I get the Stillen G3 intakes installed. But I noticed a difference in throttle response immediately. I know, I know, some of you are probably muttering derisive comments about the 'butt dyno' right now. So let me explain what I mean. I've actually had to re-acclimate to the throttle tip-in at launch. Like the first few times I started from a standstill, my launches were actually jerky because it was as if I had nailed the throttle a little too hard. So here I am trying to just get moving at a normal pace in traffic, and my head snaps back like I'm attempting a hard launch! So this is what I mean when I say that throttle response is improved. This combination does not drone while cruising. But make no mistake, under load of acceleration, this combo is a lot louder than the stock setup. To me, it's loud in a good way -- aggressive sounding. There's a little raspiness here and there, but nothing intolerable. Nothing that doesn't put a smile on my face. Btw, this thread is not intended to be for my car only. I'm the first on this forum to install this combo, so I know that for now it'll seem like it's all about my car. But as others try out this combo, it is my hope that others will add their experiences to this thread as well. I have pics of the exhaust in the following album: Nissan 370Z Forum - semtex's Album: Stillen Exhaust pics Here's a couple of pics from that album: And here are my video clips. One is from the exterior, and I also made one from the inside of the car. Enjoy! Btw - This is the first time I've ever made videos and posted to YouTube, so go easy on me if it sucks. Edit: Added more clips - consolidating them to original post. Launch Clip Drive-by Clip Synchro-Rev Match Clip Extended Drive Video Dyno Results __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf. Last edited by semtex; 03-24-2009 at 07:48 PM. Reason: Consolidating video clips for this thread.