Yet another FI CBE (12in res.) review!
 

So how a car sounds is a pretty big deal to me. Having a unique, characteristic tone is part of the whole experience in my opinion. When I'm around a C6 Vette the characteristic sound of the LS3 on that car is just wonderful. Same with a WRX or any boxer engine. It just roars in the most perfect way.

So needless to say, when I heard the stock Z I was a little iffy about it. While it doesn't sound bad, it doesn't really sound exciting either. It just sounds like a high-strung engine, not one you would expect in a sports car. However I knew no matter what car I bought I would most likely be lightly modding it, so I started looking around youtube/forums for sound clips of various exhausts. I happened on to a couple here and I was completely blown away. Pretty much all of the respective companies eat the stock exhaust note alive -- not to mention even the modest gainers were putting up some decent numbers.

The one system that caught my attention immediately though was Fast Intentions. I thought it was impressive how much respect the community had for Tony. In addition, the sound clips people had posted (and the huge gains compared to virtually all other manufacturers) sold me 100%. Once I was comfortable I placed my order around late February.

Well, a month and some change later and here we are -- I received my package Thursday:

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I un-boxed everything and was immediately impressed by one thing -- the insane packaging. I don't have pictures of it as I was pretty much like a kid on Christmas ripping through it all, but still: It was packed like precious cargo.

The only problems I could find were two dings on the passenger side muffler section. One was on the tip and another was on the can. I don't have a picture of it, but they were both very small dings that are not visible when the exhaust is actually under the car, so it doesn't bother me.

Anyway, Saturday morning I went to install it over a buddies house. So tl;dr, here is my review:

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Ease of Install: 10/10 -- Quite frankly, it was perfect. It only took 1 hour to remove the old exhaust and install the FI CBE. This was at a very relaxed, leisurely pace too. We weren't rushing or trying to be fast at all, we just took our time and everything went perfectly. We did not have to adjust anything and the overall fit of the exhaust was perfect.

Sound: 11/10 -- Yeah. No joke, the 12in resonators take this to 11. Sound clips on youtube do not do this thing justice at all. I'm honestly not sure if I will take any myself simply because it just does not give you the full picture. I mean, first of all -- it is loud. Not -too- loud, but loud. You are going to hear your car and it is going to be wonderful. The low RPMs growl and burble, the vicious machinery of the stock amplified by something of an organic rumble. It sounds characteristically VQ -- but meaner. When you pass the 5k mark it -screams-. I have nothing to compare the sound to at all, really. I spent the weekend at Redline Time Attack and heard quite a few cars at WOT -- and honestly, I think it sounds sort of like a GT-R which does make sense and will probably make more than a few people happy.

Oh, and drone. Keep in mind I have 12in resonators here: Yes, there is some. It does not appear until you are around 65-75 and on the throttle, but the thing here is that I've never had or experienced -any- exhaust that is above stock volume that does not produce a sound during these conditions. Your engine is going to be working and therefore it is going to produce a noise.

I drove for an hour to Redline and back during the weekend with a friend in the car and there wasn't a single complaint -- just a whole lot of "holy **** this is awesome." So yeah, is there a little drone? Sure. Is it going to give you a headache and make you sell the exhaust or even avoid these conditions? No.

One more note: It burbles -- only slightly -- but it burbles. If you're like me, this will make you drive around with no music and your windows down listening for it. It's like a symphony.

Performance: 10/10 -- As advertised. Of course, no dyno here but I certainly can feel a difference. The low end feels mean and a little more savage. It's awesome. My gas mileage is going to be terrible. Thanks, Tony! :stirthepot:

Oh, also downshifting. Let's talk about it. You will be an addict once you feel and hear it. Trust me.

Overall Quality: 9/10 -- Why no 10 here? Well, two things. First would be the small dings in the exhaust. While they are minor and I understand these things do happen, it did stand out to me for a bit. The second thing is the lack of a rear gasket between the cats/y-pipe(s). It is suggested you reuse the stock ones I believe, but we decided to pick up some new ones to throw in there just to be safe. It would've been nice to have that as part of the package.

Finally, I'll end with a note here:

I was #100 and right now I think Tony has passed or is about to pass 140. Out of all those exhausts sold most "reviews" look just like mine. I think that says a lot about the quality of this product. You can say what you will but I honestly do not think any vendor on this forum has the communities respect like Tony -- which is why you can now consider me an official FI :nutswinger:.

I'll try to get more pictures/videos (maybe!) and possibly a dyno up soon. Also I apologize if there are a few grammatical errors in here, it's been a long morning for me.

Great review, +1 rep for two reasons:
1- It made me even more excited to get mine (18" res.)
2- Solid, unbiased review - despite your happiness with the system you reported on the dings and drone.
Thanks and enjoy!

Nice review and congrats! I'm #117 and you just made my day! +1 Rep

Thanks, now I'm mad excited to get my 12''s!!! I was worried at first, but I like the deepness more than the 18"s
Great review!

Thank you for the detailed review and pictures. As far as the the positive comments, well they speak for themselves.

As far as the one negative, I packed that exhaust like no other as you saw when you opened the box. I do apologize for the few small dents.

As far as the drone, I have been told by many customers lately it will lessen after about a week or two. Basically they told me the entire exhaust system quieted down once it completely settled in.

Anyways, I am glad that you are satisfied and do not hesitate to ask if you need anything else...

Thanks, Tony

good review!

hi, as mentioned before really excited to get my exhaust now as well although with 18inch resonators. I have a question regarding the first picture, that ramp, who makes that ramp and do you know where i could order that, looks a lot more secure than race ramps or jack stands would love to add something like that to my garage.

I can't wait to post my own FI HFC + CBE review in a few weeks! I will make sure to run a baseline(stock with Injen Dual CAI) and after dyno run if the price is good. :)

hey do you think that the 12s are to loud to hold conversations in the car and talk on the phone without people hearing it all the time in the background?

As far as the loudness goes...how does it compare to the Stillen exhaust? It's difficult to tell from just sound clips...

You also mentioned gains, and without having to go search for 2 minutes does anybody have a stock v FI Exhaust dyno sheet?

No you should be fine as long as you dont have test pipes. and your not flooring it.

Superb review, man! I hope, and wish, and pray, that everything goes well for me, and that I will be able to feel the same exhilaration as you. Congrats on your new exhaust! :tiphat:

Time to answer some questions.

I'll have to find this out for you, I'm not quite sure as this wasn't my lift. It is pretty awesome, though. Really easy to use and very secure.

They'll be able to tell you are in a car but the exhaust won't drone over your own voice. You can carry on a conversation with a passenger with a normal tone of voice -- or less. If you are on the gas it will get loud in the cabin, though, but that is too be expected.

I've never heard the Stillen in person so I can't really answer that. It's about as loud as my friends Blitz N1 on his WRX if you've ever heard one of those.

Dyno sheets can be found here: http://www.the370z.com/intake-exhaus...aust-here.html

If anyone else has any questions feel free to ask me.

In your review you stated "lack of a rear gasket between the cats/y-pipe(s)." Are you referring to the flanges where the cats connect to the FI system?

Great review. Thanks for sharing :tup:

good! any video???

he did say he wont do a vid since it doesn't do the exhaust any justice

Congrats.I am very tempted now!

Yeah, this. Unless I can get my hands on a very good camera then I just don't think it is worth it.

Also to those interested in the ramps:

KwikLift Features

^^ That lift is AWESOME! Thanks man.

Yes, he is referring to the connection point of the stock catalytic converter and our cat back system. The flange is a 2 bolt configuration and there are two of them.

If you retain the stock cats on the car you do not need to upgrade the gaskets there. It will make not one bit of a difference in terms of sound or performance. He probably wants to change them for peace of mind though.

Tony

Yup. Exactly this. It was a cheap purchase and it wasn't any extra work, so I figured it couldn't hurt.

How is the ground clearance because I hear people saying that its barely lower than stock but it always looks so dangerously low on pictures

Ground clearance is no problem. On stock ride height, I cannot see it scraping. I have the FI CBE on stock ride height I have not had a problem at all! :tup:

Main reason is many people that have taken pictures of the FI CBE have lowered their cars. The other reason is usually because of the angle of the shot makes it look lower than it actually is.

Good review! I was #75. I was going to post up a review of my setup when I got it <18" resonators, SS mufflers, RTPs> but there were so many reviews already that are all pretty much the same I said forget it. That should speak volumes about the quality of the product!

If you REALLY want to uncork the sound of the VHR add some test pipes to the FI CBE...its a game changer.

Nice review...Can't wait for mine!!

It isn't even close to bad. Trust me here, I have a pretty terrible driveway.

Even if you lowered the car modestly you would be okay. You only have something to worry about if you slam your car, although you would be worrying about everything scraping at that point.

what if i wanted to run no resonator..and just run a straight pipe through there..how loud would it be then?

VERY loud

lol ok...im new to the forum...ive read about the 12in resonator...is that sound loud enough to get noticed and heard from a far but not to loud to be annoying?

The resonator size that we offer does one thing. It changes the overall sound LEVEL of the exhaust. The 12" will be louder opposed to the 18" will be quieter. If you plan to keep the stock cats on the car, the 12" will sound nice and in my opinion not be too loud...

Thanks, Tony

The 12'' is not too loud at all, imo -- but remember, "too loud" is subjective so I suggest to try your best to hear it in person.

IMO, it's NOT overkill to use new/virgin cat to cat back 'gaskets' when doing the FI, CBE install. These new gaskets do -not- come with the FI CBE. The gaskets, Nissan part# 20692-1E810 are approx. $11.00 each (you need two) and are cheap lets say insurance... to insure that you will be less apt to have an exhaust leak that you will have to address after the CBE install. These gaskets are easily had at any Nissan stealership. If you booger up one or more of the nuts when you remove the factory installed nuts you may also wish you had new nuts Nissan part# 20602-41G00 to use with the FI CBE install. The nuts run about $4.00 each and you need 4. I should mention that you do not see people posting here on the forum of having leaks when using the old gaskets over again but why take the chance is my train of thought.

i want someone to friends to hear me a "mile" away lol. But im looking for that sound that is not as loud as a f1 car. i can imagine without resonators and cats it will sound like that

Out of 10 what would everyone rate for *loudness*

12inch res with stock cats = ???

18inch res with HFC's = ???

Call me crazy, but from the clips I've seen on you tube. The 12inch sounds better with stock cats however with HFC's the 18inch sounds better.

The vids only give you an "idea" of the sound. The 18" would be deeper and smoother than the 12", I believe. The larger the resonator, the less rasp present.