DIY: Berk Technology HFC Install

M.Bonanni · 02-23-2009, 11:42 PM

^^^ No problem, thank you!

I have over 1300 miles on these cats now with no problems to date and no CELs.

shumby · 02-24-2009, 01:41 AM

cel's with HFC's seem to be hit and miss. I had a CEL from day one with the berks on my 08 G37S. Whent with Fast INtentions on my 09 G37S and have not had a CEL. But I knopw people that have had problems with both.

Supergoji · 03-07-2009, 08:48 PM

cool. it'll be like working on my 300zx haha. 300zx's have evil bolts everywhere...

kustomZ · 03-08-2009, 03:36 AM

Nice write-up. This is one of the first mods I'll be making, along with a full cat-back exhaust.

BanningZ · 03-09-2009, 05:36 AM

Excellent write up and great pictures.

jbean8510 · 05-01-2009, 03:11 AM

yep ill be doing this install in about a week

>135I · 05-01-2009, 01:23 PM

Its an excellent write-up. I look forward to the challenge of doing this mod myself..

jbean8510 · 05-07-2009, 12:32 AM

i did this full install in about 5 hours total. Including setup and clean up. Wasnt too difficult.

One thing I did do is the passenger side was actually easy to get to. I didnt have to get into the engine bay to remove the passenger side top bolt on the cat. PS i have a 350

Everything else went great, except my knuckles, they are tore up now! haha Sounds sexy i love it.

The Weapon · 05-24-2009, 09:51 PM

I started installing my HFC technically yesterday. If you some time and want to ease some frusteration with those dreaded top 2 bolts that connect the HFC>Exhaust Manifold here's a technique I used that made it seem not as difficult to remove. Don't get me wrong they are on their tight..but it didn't seem as bad.

1. Sprayed WD40 on all the bolts. Heated up the car. Let the car cool over night. Sprayed it again, then removed.

I don't know if driving the car after i sprayed had anything to do with making it easier but I didn't break any tools or strip any bolts.

I used 1/2 drivers with 14MM 6PT socket to reduce the chance of stripping the bolt. I used a 20 inch/10inch extension bar with the joint socket and a huge breaker bar. The hardest bolt i had a hard time with was on the bottom bolt. The steering column seems to be in the way. I decided it was easier to feed the breaker bar through the side next to the tire.

Got all the bolts off and removed the cats in about an hour but couldn't have done it without this write up. Thank you!

GaryTheSnail · 05-24-2009, 10:00 PM

I ordered these yesterday, but I have one question that is now concerning me. Do these HFC's meet the federal emissions standard or will I just have to take it to a shop that will pass me?

M.Bonanni · 05-25-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Weapon

I started installing my HFC technically yesterday. If you some time and want to ease some frusteration with those dreaded top 2 bolts that connect the HFC>Exhaust Manifold here's a technique I used that made it seem not as difficult to remove. Don't get me wrong they are on their tight..but it didn't seem as bad.

1. Sprayed WD40 on all the bolts. Heated up the car. Let the car cool over night. Sprayed it again, then removed.

I don't know if driving the car after i sprayed had anything to do with making it easier but I didn't break any tools or strip any bolts.

I used 1/2 drivers with 14MM 6PT socket to reduce the change of stripping the bolt. I used a 20 inch/10inch extension bar with the joint socket and a huge breaker bar. The hardest bolt i had a hard time with was on the bottom bolt. The steering column seems to be in the way. I decided it was easier to feed the breaker bar through the side next to the tire.

Got all the bolts off and removed the cats in about an hour but couldn't have done it without this write up. Thank you!

Awesome! Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryTheSnail

I ordered these yesterday, but I have one question that is now concerning me. Do these HFC's meet the federal emissions standard or will I just have to take it to a shop that will pass me?

Depends on your local smog laws. Everywhere is different. Most places are ok though.

Caravanshaka · 07-25-2009, 05:49 PM

Thanks for the DIY DDM...got my cat installed this morning in about 3 hours. Sounds incredibly good for stock exhaust, and pulls much harder. I am very happy with the results

molamann · 08-04-2009, 10:12 PM

Hmm, should I be worried by the fact that my mechanic installed this in 45 minutes? Though he used all the supplied bolts and gasket, there seems to be some rattle. :/

Caravanshaka · 08-04-2009, 10:25 PM

having no lift probably doubles the time for install, and if they used an impact wrench (not recommended near O2 sensors) I can believe 45 mins to an hour.

M.Bonanni · 08-05-2009, 12:45 AM

Now that I have installed a set and know how to make the frankentool, I think with a lift I could knock it out in 45 min. I wouldn't worry about it.

02-23-2009, 11:42 PM	#16 (permalink)
M.Bonanni The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,575 Drives: Fast Rep Power: 1320	^^^ No problem, thank you! I have over 1300 miles on these cats now with no problems to date and no CELs. __________________ MikeBonanni.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MikeBonanni Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MBonanni36 Function > Form

02-24-2009, 01:41 AM	#17 (permalink)
shumby Captin Canuck Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: with your mom Age: 44 Posts: 6,288 Drives: your sister Rep Power: 236	cel's with HFC's seem to be hit and miss. I had a CEL from day one with the berks on my 08 G37S. Whent with Fast INtentions on my 09 G37S and have not had a CEL. But I knopw people that have had problems with both. __________________ Originally Posted by SAM@GTM Engine detonation is not normal and it should never never happen, and whoever told that need to do something else for living . Sam

03-08-2009, 03:36 AM	#19 (permalink)
kustomZ Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 112 Drives: TBD Rep Power: 256	Nice write-up. This is one of the first mods I'll be making, along with a full cat-back exhaust. Squall180 likes this. __________________

03-09-2009, 05:36 AM	#20 (permalink)
BanningZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: nowhere Posts: 5,478 Drives: 06' Nismo Frontier Rep Power: 28	Excellent write up and great pictures. __________________ Become a Premium Member: Click HERE MB 06' Nismo VQ40DE

05-01-2009, 01:23 PM	#22 (permalink)
>135I Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Radcliff, KY Age: 42 Posts: 409 Drives: 2003 Cobra Rep Power: 16	Its an excellent write-up. I look forward to the challenge of doing this mod myself.. __________________ I will miss my Z. I hope she goes to a good home.

03-07-2009, 08:48 PM	#18 (permalink)
Supergoji Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Westchester NY Age: 35 Posts: 311 Drives: Z32tt / Supra tt Rep Power: 256	cool. it'll be like working on my 300zx haha. 300zx's have evil bolts everywhere...

05-01-2009, 03:11 AM	#21 (permalink)
jbean8510 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: peoria illinoise Posts: 10 Drives: 08 350z Rep Power: 16	yep ill be doing this install in about a week

05-07-2009, 12:32 AM	#23 (permalink)
jbean8510 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: peoria illinoise Posts: 10 Drives: 08 350z Rep Power: 16	i did this full install in about 5 hours total. Including setup and clean up. Wasnt too difficult. One thing I did do is the passenger side was actually easy to get to. I didnt have to get into the engine bay to remove the passenger side top bolt on the cat. PS i have a 350 Everything else went great, except my knuckles, they are tore up now! haha Sounds sexy i love it.

05-24-2009, 09:51 PM	#24 (permalink)
The Weapon Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 286 Drives: 370Z Tour/Sport Blk Rep Power: 3371	I started installing my HFC technically yesterday. If you some time and want to ease some frusteration with those dreaded top 2 bolts that connect the HFC>Exhaust Manifold here's a technique I used that made it seem not as difficult to remove. Don't get me wrong they are on their tight..but it didn't seem as bad. 1. Sprayed WD40 on all the bolts. Heated up the car. Let the car cool over night. Sprayed it again, then removed. I don't know if driving the car after i sprayed had anything to do with making it easier but I didn't break any tools or strip any bolts. I used 1/2 drivers with 14MM 6PT socket to reduce the chance of stripping the bolt. I used a 20 inch/10inch extension bar with the joint socket and a huge breaker bar. The hardest bolt i had a hard time with was on the bottom bolt. The steering column seems to be in the way. I decided it was easier to feed the breaker bar through the side next to the tire. Got all the bolts off and removed the cats in about an hour but couldn't have done it without this write up. Thank you! Last edited by The Weapon; 05-25-2009 at 05:52 PM.

05-24-2009, 10:00 PM	#25 (permalink)
GaryTheSnail Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 25 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z PW M6 Rep Power: 16	I ordered these yesterday, but I have one question that is now concerning me. Do these HFC's meet the federal emissions standard or will I just have to take it to a shop that will pass me?

07-25-2009, 05:49 PM	#27 (permalink)
Caravanshaka I shake Caravans Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: north Dallas Posts: 9,517 Drives: everyone crazy Rep Power: 42	Thanks for the DIY DDM...got my cat installed this morning in about 3 hours. Sounds incredibly good for stock exhaust, and pulls much harder. I am very happy with the results __________________ ____________________ PROJECT DiaD - Sold but not forgotten! The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that in order to work the penis, the brain must remain whole.

08-04-2009, 10:12 PM	#28 (permalink)
molamann A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,666 Drives: 370Z with NAVVVVV Rep Power: 284	Hmm, should I be worried by the fact that my mechanic installed this in 45 minutes? Though he used all the supplied bolts and gasket, there seems to be some rattle. :/

08-04-2009, 10:25 PM	#29 (permalink)
Caravanshaka I shake Caravans Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: north Dallas Posts: 9,517 Drives: everyone crazy Rep Power: 42	having no lift probably doubles the time for install, and if they used an impact wrench (not recommended near O2 sensors) I can believe 45 mins to an hour. __________________ ____________________ PROJECT DiaD - Sold but not forgotten! The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that in order to work the penis, the brain must remain whole.

08-05-2009, 12:45 AM	#30 (permalink)
M.Bonanni The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,575 Drives: Fast Rep Power: 1320	Now that I have installed a set and know how to make the frankentool, I think with a lift I could knock it out in 45 min. I wouldn't worry about it. __________________ MikeBonanni.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MikeBonanni Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MBonanni36 Function > Form

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