Stillen CBE owners regret?

NYBladeZ

I know that, but Semtex also lost some top end HP and both Tony and him feel it is because with the increase in flow from the LTH's the Stillen CBE is now to restrictive. Personally if you are going to pay for a CBE 2 things matter.

1. Sound
2. Performance

Granted if you aren't going to really get into modding then Stillen is more than enough but if you are like the few here completely redoing the exhaust and getting every bolt on you're probably going to want the least restrictive exhaust.

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2009 Carbon Fiber/Red 370z aka Trish: Sports Package, Meisterschaft full catback, Fast Intentions Longtube Headers, Injen Long Tube Intakes, UpRev Tune: Sold
2008 Lotus Exige S Club Racer aka Bella, always leaves me smiling

theDreamer

We are not 100% sure about the top end lose, mainly because we are not able to tune the engine 100% yet with Uprev or Cobb so that may be why we lost top end power.

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theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN
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Nick911sc

Great to hear you guys are so happy with the exhaust still! I think when I eventually put an exhaust on my car I'll lean towards stillen. Now I just need to decide if I want to spend the money on the Berk HFC's or get the ERZ HFC"s people have been talking about.



When I looked at the Dyno's from Semtex it seemed he lost alittle peak hp above 7300, but he gained hp along the powerband that seems would be much more usable.

370Zsteve

I'm not so sure Semtex agreed with Tony on the cause, either. Tony, as usual, was quick to blame another manufacturer's design.

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SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

RCZ

^ That makes me wonder if my stillen cbe is going to choke my supercharger a little.. I guess we'll see.

theDreamer

Is the Stillen CBE a Y-pipe or X-pipe setup?

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theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN
theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY
Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

NYBladeZ

victim of their own success....the wait is a loooong time but worth it from the review I've read.

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2009 Carbon Fiber/Red 370z aka Trish: Sports Package, Meisterschaft full catback, Fast Intentions Longtube Headers, Injen Long Tube Intakes, UpRev Tune: Sold
2008 Lotus Exige S Club Racer aka Bella, always leaves me smiling

spearfish25

I have the Stillen and can give an honest answer.

When I bought my exhaust, there was no waiting. I wanted something then and it was my best, fastest option. The FI was out then as well, but I didn't want a 4 week wait and there were floating rumors of drone that I will 100% NOT tolerate. So, for fear of drone and getting something I couldn't live with, I went with Stillen over FI. Berk wasn't an option as it was about 6 months down the pipeline still.

Having lived with my Stillen since September, I'm extremely happy with it. I like their large tips and haven't had any problems during install or thereafter. I felt the HFC addition was necessary as I wanted a little more volume out of the exhaust, and the addition did exactly that. For me, it's the perfect level of sound and 'fun'. It rewards a throttle stomp, sounds good at idle and never has any drone.

Would I switch for an FI now or before? No. I still don't want drone and the reviews are more concrete that the FI CBE with HFCs will get you some. Would I wait for the Berk or get that instead now if I could do it over? Potentially. I've heard the Berk in person and it sounds really nice. Lower and louder than the Stillen (both with HFCs). I like the Berk's sound, but I prefer the Stillen tips which I think would lean me to reorder Stillen again. There wasn't any drone with the Berk which makes it a viable option for me, but it's definitely louder inside the car when you're driving. JB1 last mentioned he plans to dynomat because the interior sound is just a bit on the loud side for long trips. No drone, just louder inside the car. In the end, I think Stillen and Berk would be a coin flip for me, but I have no regrets with my Stillen whatsoever.

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2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

Nick911sc

Superb right up

I think a lot of people on the forum who are looking for information need to read this post. Rep +1

Now let me ask you about your ERZ HFC's

I've read all about them and so far it seems they're a steal.

You're happy with them still? I know you haven't dyno'd them. I don't want to be stupid but, as they're cheaper, they don't sound any different to other HFC's do they? Other than wondering that it seems they'd be on par with the others on the market.

spearfish25

I'm really happy with the ERZs as well. You absolutely can't beat the price. As for quality, I had no issues with the install (save the Nissan bolts being biatches) and I think they've stood up well to the ultimate test...

I live in Chicago. I drive my car all winter. When I jacked up the car for the spring oil change and brake pad swap, the ERZ cats look brand f'ing new. They must be entirely made of 316 stainless because they are the most corrosion resistant part of my car now!

No CEL in 2000+ miles.

As for comparative sound, I've never heard the ERZs vs Berk or Stillen HFCs with the same catback exhausts on the cars. I think they add hiss like any HFC and they open up the exhaust similarly too. For $360, I have nothing but a smile on my face.

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2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

craniac24

Wow...you guys that are saying it's too quiet are starting to worry me. I'm thinking of trading in my Nismo for a Stillen because I'm looking for more depth and volume. Now you're making me wonder if it won't be much louder than what I already have...

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2010 6MT PG Roadster w/Sport & NAV.
Stillen Exhaust, Stillen GIII Intake, Eibach Springs, H&R Spacers 15f/20r, SPC Rear Camber Kit. Thanks to Vinny Ten Racing!

Red370

dont compare the Nismo sound to the Stillen sound bud, its not even close. With HFC's, my exhaust is PLENTY loud.

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2011 Mustang 5.0 | 3.55's | Lethal Performance off road H-Pipe | Magnaflow Muffler Delete | JLT CAI/Bama tuned 417whp/ 404 ft/lbs

BOLIO 671

Great write up Spearfish....and +1 Rep for you as well....

I have personally heard a Stillen Exhaust...One of the guys out here has one on his 370Z...Really reminds me of Semtex's car since they are the same color....I'm not too sure if he has HFC's on it, but when he opened that baby up, Let me tell ya' it sounded really nice to hear it live....Hearing his car with the Stillen exhaust made me realize that all these vids really don't do the exhaust justice....

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2013 Nismo Z34 / FI TT #091 / IG: @lilzilla_z34

Red370

couldnt agree more, my Z's exhaust note has been likened to an F1 car, very racey sounding, which is the note that I absolutely love.

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2011 Mustang 5.0 | 3.55's | Lethal Performance off road H-Pipe | Magnaflow Muffler Delete | JLT CAI/Bama tuned 417whp/ 404 ft/lbs

m4a1mustang

I think the Berks sound really nice.

One exhaust that I think gets overlooked is AAM Competition's CBE. Two of the guys at our weekly meets have the AAM CBE and HFCs and the cars just sound fantastic. I think my FI sounds amazing, but holy crap, that AAM exhaust is amazing too. I drove one of their cars a couple weeks ago and that growl is just something else.

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- Steve

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