Comparison Vid: Stock, Stillen, and Berk :)

spearfish25 · 03-30-2010, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsximus

Awesome video guys! Just what I was looking for.

In the video the Stillen sounds so much more refined, the Berk sounds like it just kinda growls up to redline with no soul, while the Stillen has a nice tone from start to finish with a beautiful note.

Unfortunately I just can't get past how ugly the Stillen tips are, and I don't want to modify a $1200+ exhaust after I just get it. WHY STILLEN? Why can't you make the tips more stock looking, the tips on the Stillen CBE looks like something from Need for Speed Underground, all it needs is flames shooting out of it.

I'm ordering the Berk, if one day Stillen decides to change the way their tip looks I'm sure their exhaust sales will go WAY UP. I'll be first in line to buy one. They have everything in check, decent price, good quality, great sound, great power too bad the tips ruined the whole deal.

Initially I wasn't too sure about what I thought of the Stillen tips. The shop that installed mine tucked them in as far as they could which I definitely prefer. A few guys on the site have the tips hanging really far out which I'm not fond of at all. After a week or so with the car, I have to say I actually love the tips. From behind they look huge and fill the fascia cutouts completely. From a side view, they just give the 'hey, I'm not stock' look. It's one of those things that you might like more in person.

If you're more of a sleeper look kind of guy, go for the Berk. You'll be really happy with either.

As for tone, I would say the Berk is more refined/smooth. The Stillen has a bit more mechanical wildness/raucousness to the overall sound (take it for what you will, I like it...but I'm biased since I've invested in it).

BOLIO 671 · 03-30-2010, 07:06 AM

^^^^Great review and good advice Spear

BOLIO 671 · 04-27-2010, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Let's see if Tony has sold one to someone up here yet. I'd be happy to get a vid and splice it in

. Hell, I want to hear one in person anyway.

Any luck with this guys? Seems that there has been recent posts of people who are still on the fence between Berk and FI...Would be nice to see a video comparion set up between a Berk, FI, and Stillen...

HATED1 · 08-24-2010, 06:23 PM

thank you for the great video!

wolf370z · 08-24-2010, 07:02 PM

I was about to pull the trigger on FI and some of you guys know I jumped ship at the last minute with Berk. I'm very impressed with the Berk and it's also nice knowing that they make the HFC I wanted so I know the fitment would be perfect since they sort of you know design and produce both lol

Elia Cid · 08-25-2010, 04:30 PM

The Berk’s CBE look and sound good, I will go with Berk HFC after my Stillen CBE are installed.
I chose Stillen CBE, because I love the sound , and advertised gains, but I also believe Stillen did their homework in sticking with the “y” pipe design , which has been underrated IMO.
My new Stillen CBE should arrive sometime next week, to go with my newly installed Stillen G3 intakes.

Just my two cents,
Alex

JB1 · 08-25-2010, 05:40 PM

It might be time for an updated video. I took the HFC's off a while ago so I'm down to stock cats and Berk CBE. The HFC and CBE combo sounded real nice, really race car like. But it also is very loud (in my opinion and that of a local cop I passed..). On hard acceleration I had interior panels rattling in the back. That got old quick.

I had 4 exhaust set ups: All Stock, HFC's + Stock exhaust, HFC+ BERK CBE and stock Cats + BERK CBE.

This is how I would describe the sound:
1. Just HFC: Louder and more raw, but also a raspy. Made it sound a bit "ricy" to me.
2. HFC + CBE: Very LOUD but very nice, sounded like a real race car. Deep, raw and racy (NOT Ricy). However, it really attracted attention when you stepped on it, as I found out the hard way, got a ticket for loud exhaust. I didn't have drone but when accelerating hard the interior panels in the back started vibrating/rattling with the sound, that's how loud it was.

3. Just Berk CBE: Just right for me, nice deep sound, sounds like a real sports car but no longer a full out race car. No drone and you only really hear it when you step on it. Nice and quiet while highway cruising 50 to 80 mph.

If there was a system where I can switch between HFC + CBE and CBE only, I would get it. HFC + CBE for track work and for spirited driving and the CBE only for daily driving and long road trips. Unfortunately that doesn't exist, but I am very happy with the just the Berk CBE.

BOLIO 671 · 08-25-2010, 06:17 PM

Wow...so you finally got rid of HFC's and switched back to the Stock Cats Huh?.... I take it the tone didn't get quiter after time

Elia Cid · 08-25-2010, 06:41 PM

Sorry about the ticket!

Would you say that a combo of Stillen + Berk's HFC is louder or just as loud as Berk's CBE + Berks HFC in your opinion?

That’s why I’m installing one piece at a time, even dough it’s costing me more on installation time.

Thanks,
Alex

P.S. Will you do another sound video with just the stock HFC + Berk's CBE?

JB1 · 08-25-2010, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOLIO 671

Wow...so you finally got rid of HFC's and switched back to the Stock Cats Huh?.... I take it the tone didn't get quiter after time

No, it did not quiet down over time. I don't think it changed much at all.

JB1 · 08-25-2010, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elia Cid

Sorry about the ticket!

Would you say that a combo of Stillen + Berk's HFC is louder or just as loud as Berk's CBE + Berks HFC in your opinion?

That’s why I’m installing one piece at a time, even dough it’s costing me more on installation
time.

Thanks,
Alex

P.S. Will you do another sound video with just the stock HFC + Berk's CBE?

Spearfish has the Stillen CBE and ERZ cats. In my opinion, His combo is slightly quieter then my Berk HFC and Berk CBE combo was. Not much, but enough so that his interior panels don't rattle when accelerating hard.

Elia Cid · 08-25-2010, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB1

Spearfish has the Stillen CBE and ERZ cats. In my opinion, His combo is slightly quieter then my Berk HFC and Berk CBE combo was. Not much, but enough so that his interior panels don't rattle when accelerating hard.

I think I'll just stick to the Stillen CBE I have on order for now , just want to hear the Stillen CBE sound for a while and listen to how it interacts with the Stillen G3 intakes and car . Then I'll take it from there ,I'll put my Berk's HFC order on hold till then.

Thanks for making me take a second look at this .

Alex

spearfish25 · 08-25-2010, 09:16 PM

I'm really happy with my Stillen CBE and ERZ HFC combo. The Stillen CBE alone sounds good but left me wanting more. Under WOT around 4k rpm, I have a rattle in the back now. It never happened initially...either the exhaust got louder or something is just loose. I may take the panels off to investigate one of these weekends.

I never feel the CBE/HFC combo I have is too loud though. It will turn a head if you stomp the gas, but you can drive past cops without problems as long as you're not at WOT. It also keeps some 'fun' exhaust noise below 3k RPM which I felt you lose when you have the CBE alone.

Elia Cid · 08-25-2010, 10:29 PM

Sound and performance are everything to me when it comes to driving , it makes the car come alive IMO!

I'm getting a real kick out of my Stillen G3 intakes but mostly at higher RPM's.

That being said:
Most of my driving is at the lower and mid RPM range, with some spirited driving mixed in.

I can't wait to get the Stillen CBE on , open her up and hear how it sounds on these winding Pocono mountain roads in northeast PA.

Thanks,
Alex

craniac24 · 08-25-2010, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOLIO 671

Any luck with this guys? Seems that there has been recent posts of people who are still on the fence between Berk and FI...Would be nice to see a video comparion set up between a Berk, FI, and Stillen...

YouTube - 370z with Injen Intakes, ERZ HFC and Fast Intentions CBE

YouTube - 370z w/Stillen G3 Intake and Stillen CBE

03-30-2010, 07:06 AM	#47 (permalink)
BOLIO 671 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: GUAHAN Posts: 1,198 Drives: To & From then Back Rep Power: 3399	^^^^Great review and good advice Spear __________________ 2013 Nismo Z34 / FI TT #091 / IG: @lilzilla_z34

08-24-2010, 07:02 PM	#50 (permalink)
wolf370z Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: United States Posts: 230 Drives: 09 370z red m6 Rep Power: 15	I was about to pull the trigger on FI and some of you guys know I jumped ship at the last minute with Berk. I'm very impressed with the Berk and it's also nice knowing that they make the HFC I wanted so I know the fitment would be perfect since they sort of you know design and produce both lol __________________ Good drivers just drive.

08-25-2010, 04:30 PM	#51 (permalink)
Elia Cid Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: East Stroudsburg , PA Posts: 188 Drives: 08 G35 xS , 010 370Z Rep Power: 15	The Berk’s CBE look and sound good, I will go with Berk HFC after my Stillen CBE are installed. I chose Stillen CBE, because I love the sound , and advertised gains, but I also believe Stillen did their homework in sticking with the “y” pipe design , which has been underrated IMO. My new Stillen CBE should arrive sometime next week, to go with my newly installed Stillen G3 intakes. Just my two cents, Alex __________________ Stillen G3-CAI , CBE , Grounding kit // Berk HFC // Eibach Sway Bars // Rear Spoiler // Kick Plates // Fog Light // Escort 9500ix-Shifters ZR4 // Gentex-51A // Next: Stillen 25 row Oil Cooler , Crank Pulley // O.Z. Botticelli III // KW-V3 Last edited by Elia Cid; 08-25-2010 at 04:48 PM.

08-25-2010, 05:40 PM	#52 (permalink)
JB1 Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 748 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z sold Rep Power: 17	It might be time for an updated video. I took the HFC's off a while ago so I'm down to stock cats and Berk CBE. The HFC and CBE combo sounded real nice, really race car like. But it also is very loud (in my opinion and that of a local cop I passed..). On hard acceleration I had interior panels rattling in the back. That got old quick. I had 4 exhaust set ups: All Stock, HFC's + Stock exhaust, HFC+ BERK CBE and stock Cats + BERK CBE. This is how I would describe the sound: 1. Just HFC: Louder and more raw, but also a raspy. Made it sound a bit "ricy" to me. 2. HFC + CBE: Very LOUD but very nice, sounded like a real race car. Deep, raw and racy (NOT Ricy). However, it really attracted attention when you stepped on it, as I found out the hard way, got a ticket for loud exhaust. I didn't have drone but when accelerating hard the interior panels in the back started vibrating/rattling with the sound, that's how loud it was. 3. Just Berk CBE: Just right for me, nice deep sound, sounds like a real sports car but no longer a full out race car. No drone and you only really hear it when you step on it. Nice and quiet while highway cruising 50 to 80 mph. If there was a system where I can switch between HFC + CBE and CBE only, I would get it. HFC + CBE for track work and for spirited driving and the CBE only for daily driving and long road trips. Unfortunately that doesn't exist, but I am very happy with the just the Berk CBE. __________________ Black Fangs // Black rear Valance // Berk CBE // COBB post MAF tubes // K&N drop in filters // Setrab Oil Cooler // Stillen Sway bars // Z1 SS brake lines // Stillen brake cooling kit // Harness bar //

08-25-2010, 06:17 PM	#53 (permalink)
BOLIO 671 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: GUAHAN Posts: 1,198 Drives: To & From then Back Rep Power: 3399	Wow...so you finally got rid of HFC's and switched back to the Stock Cats Huh?.... I take it the tone didn't get quiter after time __________________ 2013 Nismo Z34 / FI TT #091 / IG: @lilzilla_z34

08-24-2010, 06:23 PM	#49 (permalink)
HATED1 Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: WA Posts: 504 Drives: 2010-370z-Red-6 SPD Rep Power: 17	thank you for the great video!

08-25-2010, 06:41 PM	#54 (permalink)
Elia Cid Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: East Stroudsburg , PA Posts: 188 Drives: 08 G35 xS , 010 370Z Rep Power: 15	Sorry about the ticket! Would you say that a combo of Stillen + Berk's HFC is louder or just as loud as Berk's CBE + Berks HFC in your opinion? That’s why I’m installing one piece at a time, even dough it’s costing me more on installation time. Thanks, Alex P.S. Will you do another sound video with just the stock HFC + Berk's CBE? __________________ Stillen G3-CAI , CBE , Grounding kit // Berk HFC // Eibach Sway Bars // Rear Spoiler // Kick Plates // Fog Light // Escort 9500ix-Shifters ZR4 // Gentex-51A // Next: Stillen 25 row Oil Cooler , Crank Pulley // O.Z. Botticelli III // KW-V3

08-25-2010, 09:16 PM	#58 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	I'm really happy with my Stillen CBE and ERZ HFC combo. The Stillen CBE alone sounds good but left me wanting more. Under WOT around 4k rpm, I have a rattle in the back now. It never happened initially...either the exhaust got louder or something is just loose. I may take the panels off to investigate one of these weekends. I never feel the CBE/HFC combo I have is too loud though. It will turn a head if you stomp the gas, but you can drive past cops without problems as long as you're not at WOT. It also keeps some 'fun' exhaust noise below 3k RPM which I felt you lose when you have the CBE alone. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

08-25-2010, 10:29 PM	#59 (permalink)
Elia Cid Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: East Stroudsburg , PA Posts: 188 Drives: 08 G35 xS , 010 370Z Rep Power: 15	Sound and performance are everything to me when it comes to driving , it makes the car come alive IMO! I'm getting a real kick out of my Stillen G3 intakes but mostly at higher RPM's. That being said: Most of my driving is at the lower and mid RPM range, with some spirited driving mixed in. I can't wait to get the Stillen CBE on , open her up and hear how it sounds on these winding Pocono mountain roads in northeast PA. Thanks, Alex __________________ Stillen G3-CAI , CBE , Grounding kit // Berk HFC // Eibach Sway Bars // Rear Spoiler // Kick Plates // Fog Light // Escort 9500ix-Shifters ZR4 // Gentex-51A // Next: Stillen 25 row Oil Cooler , Crank Pulley // O.Z. Botticelli III // KW-V3 Last edited by Elia Cid; 08-25-2010 at 10:32 PM.

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