DIY: Berk Technology HFC Install
 

Hey everyone! Below are DIY install instructions for Berk Technology High Flow Cats for the 370Z. These will also be the same for their Test Pipes.

Estimated Install Time = 2-4 hours
Difficulty = Moderate

Tools Needed:
Floor Jack
Jack Stands (4)
14mm socket
Ratchet
Extensions (Approx. 24" worth)
Breaker Bar
Socket Flex Adapter
14mm, 22mm, 16mm wrenches
Penetrating Oil
Rubber Mallet

Step 1:
Using the floor jack, raise one side of the car off the ground and place jack stands under safe point. Repeat for other side. The car should be supported by the jack stands with all four wheels off the ground. Lift the car high enough to be able to lay underneath it.

Step 2:
Using the 14mm socket and ratchet, remove the two bolts connecting each catalytic converter to the y-pipe.

http://www.bonannimotorsports.com/37...fcdiystep3.jpg

Step 3:
Using the 14mm socket and ratchet, remove the two bolts connecting the y-pipe to the muffler section. Remove the y-pipe and set aside.

http://www.bonannimotorsports.com/37...fcdiystep2.jpg

Step 4:
Un-plug the o2 sensor from the harness it is connected to. Using the 22mm wrench, remove the o2 sensors from the catalytic converters and set aside.

http://www.bonannimotorsports.com/37...fcdiystep4.jpg

http://www.bonannimotorsports.com/37...diystep4-2.jpg

Step 5:
Using the 14mm socket and ratchet, remove the four bolts connecting the cross brace to the catalytic converters and transmission. Set the brace and bolts aside.

http://www.bonannimotorsports.com/37...fcdiystep5.jpg

Step 6:
This is the fun part. Remove the three 14mm bolts connecting the catalytic converter to the exhaust manifolds by any means possible (Photo 6). They are tough to get to and very tight. I suggest using a penetrating oil (Photo 6-0) to help make life a little easier.
For the top two bolts, you will have to use your ratchet, approx. 24” worth of extensions, a universal joint, and a 14mm socket. Connect all of these parts and fish this frankentool down through the engine bay onto the top bolt holding the catalytic converter to the exhaust manifold through the areas circled in photos 6-1 and 6-2. Use a breaker bar to break the bolt loose if you have to (Photo 6-4). On the driver’s side of the car, to get the socket onto the bolt I had to remove the intake hose for more room (Photo 6-2). This only requires the use of a flathead screwdriver to loosen the hose clamps. This was not necessary on the passenger side. Caution: This is extremely tight. I broke multiple ratchets, sockets, and extensions before I finally got it to break loose so don’t do this install unless you have another mode of transportation to get to the auto parts store if you break a tool.

Once all three bolts are out, the catalytic converters can be removed completely (Photo 6-3).

Photo 6:
http://www.bonannimotorsports.com/37...fcdiystep6.jpg

Photo 6-0:
http://www.bonannimotorsports.com/37...diystep6-0.jpg

Photo 6-1:
http://www.bonannimotorsports.com/37...diystep6-1.jpg

Photo 6-2:
http://www.bonannimotorsports.com/37...diystep6-2.jpg

Photo 6-3:
http://www.bonannimotorsports.com/37...diystep6-3.jpg

Photo 6-4:
http://www.dbonannimotorsports.com/3...diystep6-4.jpg

Step 7:
Reverse steps to install the Berk Technology High Flow Cats using the supplied gaskets and hardware. *Note, the supplied bolts are a 16mm head on the bolt, and a 14mm nut.

http://www.bonannimotorsports.com/37...fcdiystep7.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...he370zdyno.jpg

Please do this install at your own risk. Double Down Motorsports does not hold any responsibility for problems that may occur due to installing these parts on your vehicle. As always, it is recommended to have a professional install these parts.

Great write up!

What size drive did you use? That looks like 1/4?

The ratchet, and the two big extensions are 3/8. Then I have a 3/8 to 1/2 adapter, 1/2 universal joint, and 1/2 14mm socket. Everything was 3/8 at first but I broke the 3/8 universal joint in half so had to switch that section to 1/2. :)

I think I'm going to give my mechanic an opportunity to install these :)

This is quite awesome DDM. It's about time vendors start sharing their knowledge like this.

Great how-to. I would like to mention there is no reason to remove the YPIPE. You just unbolt the stock cats from it and you can easily remove them.

Thats what I thought going into it too, but since the stock cats use a stud instead of a bolt, once you take the nuts off the studs are still there holding the cat in place. There isn't enough play in the exhaust system to move the y-pipe and muffler back far enough to free the cats. I tried a crow bar and everything.

same situation with the G37^

Just make sure to let him know - NO AIR TOOLS.

If an impact gun is used on the evil bolt it can break the front O2 sensor.

I installed Berk High flows on my 350Z over the weekend and had never done a cat install/removal. Took me 2 hours and cruised right through with no issues. My father in law has a car lift at his house though so I had great access from underneath. The Berk cats are by far my favorite breathing mod so far. It pulls harder through the whole power band now. I recommend these cats to anyone with a Z. Also no CEL issue. Thanks Berk.:tup:

Strange. Mine had enough play to move them back.

We kinda had no choice other than to use the big impact. But the O2 wasn't effected.

The exhaust for the 350Z is a bit different than the 370Z and G37. I didn't have the problem either on my 350Z.

Do any of you guys have issues with the gaskets? The ones I have are a bit warped, so I may opt for "better" ones (if available).

Thanks Mike and Berk! Your products arrive quicker than my 370Z... pending March/April delivery.

^^^ No problem, thank you!

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

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.

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

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

Excellent write up and great pictures. :tup:

yep ill be doing this install in about a week

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

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.

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!

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?

Awesome! Thanks.

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

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 :)

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. :/

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.

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.

I have a slight rattle at around 5-6K RPM. Should I change out gaskets?

Are the cats the only mod you have done to your car? I don't think gaskets are the problem. Exhaust gasket leaks make a ticking sound that you would be able to hear the entire time the engine is running, not just at a certain rpm. Have you checked to make sure all of your bolts are tight enough?

I have a Stillen Exhaust & G3 Intake also.

Yes I have checked my bolts. I will check again on Tuesday

Is the rattle sound like its metal hitting against metal? The earlier version Stillen exhausts had some clearance problems with one of the factory chassis braces.

Berks cbe doesn't have this problem right?

No it doesn't. I think Stillen has fixed their exhaust as well so they don't have that problem anymore either. Just depends on when you ordered yours.

Ill find out. I will try to insulate the contact points tommorow

On a semi-related note, can anyone tell me if the 350 and 370 use the same cats? I have a pair of test pipes from my 350 that I'd love to bolt up, but I wasn't sure if the dimensions were the same.

i think the 07/08 cats are the same

Yeah its the same cats as the '07-'08 350Z with the HR motor. '03-'06 350Zs don't translate.