Despite the lingering rain (over 5 inches, not as bad as some of you guys in FL and the Carolinas) I went ahead with the removal of the old system and the install of the FI cat back. Everything went very smoothly. I followed the tips posted elsewhere in this thread (such as unbolting the hangers, bending the heat shield). The FI system went in perfectly - awesome fitment! There is no need to adjust the tips (I'll post a pic later, after it stops effing raining). The only issue I encontered was not putting the heat wrap low enough on the fuel line (I should have placed it closer to the evap canister). No biggie - I'll hit the auto parts store later and get some more.
The sound is AMAZING! It changes tone (and volume of course) at different RPMS. At cruising there is NO DRONE I have the 12" res, SS mufflers, stock cats). I took a 15 minute spin, and will take a couple more after it cools down, per the instructions Tony included.
I can't say enough about how positive the whole experience has been dealing wth Tony. The guy helped me make the right choice of options, and shipped the system to me 2 full weeks ahead of schedule. Thanks FI and Tony!
I'll post a pic or two later, and some more impressions for those of you still waiting (and drooling) for your systems.
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Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB
Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT