My Stillen CBE arrived today-Newly updated with video sound clips
 

Hi folks,
I was waiting very excitedly today for my Stillen CBE. It arrived in a large box weighing around 87.4 lbs.

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As you can see in the photos I took, the parts were very well packed; the box was not damaged; everything looks good so far. My only concern at this point was to unpack it so that I can photograph it, then see if I could load it up in the “Z” to take to the dealers for installation. With the original box it would never fit in the car.

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My initial response looking at the Stillen exhausts parts closely was that this is a no frills, no nonsense, tough built exhaust; built for performance and gains, rather than on appearances and aesthetics. The exhaust sits high beneath the car, which I prefer; I don’t want to worry about low driveways, potholes or road kill. This is critical in my neck of the woods.

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Yes, it's heavy. That being said, t’s a good type of heavy that looks and feels solid; built like a tank. The impression this exhaust gives is that if you’re going to put the pedal to the metal track, drag or any other serious type of driving, this exhaust will take it and more. It looks like it’s built to be driven hard!

If you like a low slung exhaust with a lot of spit and polish to pimp around L.A. type of cruising in your chick magnet, this exhaust IMO is not for you! “lol”

My biggest grip with this setup was the three slip joints and the poor quality instructions! :shakes head:

Now let’s see if it sounds, and preforms as solid as it looks.


One last thing, I could have purchased any of the beautiful exhaust system out there, but as I listen to each sound clip I could get my hands on, I always came back to Stillen's CBE!


Hope you enjoy the pictures; :tup: I'll try to have a sound clip after the install,
Alex

I love mine. Just don't like the slip joints. Do yourself a favor now and replace those U-bolts with either a stainless steel version or some t-bolts. The ones Stillen includes rust out like you wouldn't believe.

wow.. very well packed. Congrats! It's a GREAT exhaust and you'll love it! Awesome sound throughout the RPM :tup:

Nice pics... What did you win the trophies for? I love Stillen products and I have owned two of there CBE in the Past. But when it came to the Z it sounded a little mellow for my taste. As for the slip joints I would get them welded, I had my exhaust come apart once on my Spec-V and the one on my Altima kept coming lose letting the one tip drop all the time.

I will more than likely go with the welding job, I don’t like things rusting or going lose if I can help it .

I have a 7:45 am appointment today with Nissan for the install, I told them I wanted to go over the install and do a walk around before the car come down off the lift and they agreed.

In the northeast PA, we have a lot of local car shows folks really love and rely on their cars here. :tup:

On the trophies one is for” Most Popular” stock and the other is “Best in show “, stock “Lost in Time Car Club” these event are mostly in businesses or restaurant parking lots some clubs allow their patrons and the public to vote that’s how I won!


Thanks, guys, :tiphat:

Alex

I was glad to read your post, Alex, with all those great pictures and your obvious excitement. Until I scrolled down to the one with the ice melt next to the garage. Now I'm depressed!

Seriously, great pics of the Stillen. You should be driving it home as I write this. Looking forward to your reactions.

So, "Orpheus" is the new vanity plate on the way? Does this mean you're going to change your forum name, too (since your current name matches the plate on the Z now)?

We installed a Stillen exhaust the other day. Definitely one of the simplest and most straight forward exhaust installs we've done so far. I also like that you can use the OEM vibration dampers. Sounds good too :tup:

It sounds even better after 1k miles!

Hi, :tiphat:
The install went without a hitch, around an hour. Greg the service manager and the Martin Nissan mechanic were impressed at the quality of the exhaust and the ease of the install. I also had them performed an oil change using Ester oil, and their larger than stock oil filter.


I also insisted on a walk around before they lowered the car. I was informed that the weakest link in the exhaust system was the three clamps.

I was advised to weld or at least get the stainless steel ones. But for now they’ll hold.

The moment they turned on the car, I felt it was a new car; the sound was deep and mellow, no rasping and not a trace of drone on the road.

I immediately felt the increase in power. Martin, the mechanic, also told me that it was going to be on self-learn mode. I would also have to put up with the odor that smelled like rotten eggs coming from the exhaust for a little while. He also indicated that I didn’t need a tune up, just yet to drive it around a bit. :driving:

The only issue was aligning the height of the right tip. When I arrived home, I noticed the right tip looked lower that the left driver side tip.
So I drove back to Nissan and asked Greg the service manger. The mechanic took a look at it and they felt the tip was a bit off and needed to be re-aligned, that meant heating and welding! I just said thanks and that I would not go that route. :shakes head:


When I got home, I measured it with a ruler and to my surprise the tips were the same height and the same distant from the ground on two different surface locations. What was off was the cut out on the car itself! Oh brother how do you fix that and why didn’t I notice it on the OEM exhaust?

I ‘ll just have to live with a 1/3 of inch off rather than lose sleep over it?

Greg the service manger did make an interesting remark. He felt that for my next mod, I should go for Nismo headers , rather than Berk’s HFC. :stirthepot:

The OEM headers were very restricted and the that the Nismo were much more open, this way I wouldn’t have to worry about emission or the o2 light going on and given me trouble!

Appreciate your input on all this.

Thanks,

Alex

P.S. Dave, no noting that dramatic I’ll be keep ‘Elia Cid “been using it for lots of years as my web name!
Orpheus had that dark go to hell and back ring to it that appealed to me, for some reason?

Don't cut and weld! If adjusting the slip fits doesn't help, you can always adjust the hangers.

I have heard that the OEM exhaust manifold is good enough. Thats why I'm on the fence when it comes to LTH's or TP... Can someone else chime in about the oem headers.

Nice write up Alex. Look forward to hearing it in person!

Not to get of topic guys , but I just have to ask are the Nismo headers that much better than the OEM ,what would be the gains with the Nismo?

He's looking them up for me in terms availability and pricing.

Thanks,

Alex

Congratulations on your install and I'm glad to hear you are happy with your STILLEN exhaust.

In regards to the slip joints, we actually do this for a couple of reasons.

1) These slip joints allow for easy adjustment during the installation process. Even though these cars are built in large part by robots we find that there are a differences from car to car. We've actually seen some cars where the hangers are off from the factory and even the factory exhaust tips don't line up. By utilizing these slip joints were able to gain a more precise fitment.

2) Thermal expansion- All of our parts are designed to be used and used hard. We know that a large number of our customers will find themselves exercising their gals on the race track. During a 30 minute track session that exhaust will expand A LOT. If we did not have those joints on there the chances of cracking welds is much greater. We have seen some customers weld our exhausts and the thermal expansion has cracked the cross braces, hangers, or even muffler to pipe connections.

If you would like to swap out the clamps to a stainless steel band clamp that is definitely an option, however I strongly recommend you do not weld the exhaust.

Dave, the sound is deep and mellow growl even in low RPM's, that quickly builds to a roar type of crescendo , when you step on it, not sure if I want to go loader and mess it up?

This exhaust sounds better every-time I turn the key and take it for a spin ! :driving:

I can truly understand now why some would drive 50 miles for a loaf of bread! :tup: "lol"

I'm just amazed at how much more fun and entertaining it is to dive this car now , this type of fun should be standard on "Z"cars! :happydance:
Thank,

Alex

Kyle,
Thanks for the heads up on thermal expansion and the clamps, learned sometime new!

1, Is there a breaking period for this exhaust system, if so how would I know when there broken in?

2. I noticed the OEM exhaust had heat shields, why not your exhaust; are there any real benefits in heat shields? Does this exhaust run hotter than OEM as a result?

3. Will the exhaust note, sound change over time, if so how?

Please give my regards to Mr. Millen and the folks at Stillen for a great product!

Thanks,
Alex

I don't know why he would tell you this unless Nismo is making a LTH...Even if you get the Nismo Headers, you will still have stock cats..meaning that using HFC's (Berks or any other brand) will still be an option. I can tell you from my experience and observation that the stock cats on these cars seem to be the most restrictive part of the whole exhaust system.

:iagree:

So Far with the reviews I have read regarding headers for the Z show that the stock headers are fine...aftermarkets that have been produced don't show great numbers as far as HP/TQ gain..The only one that I've seen thus far with decent gains is the FI LTH...Although it does not show a tremendous increase of HP/TQ on the top end, it has gains throughouht the powerband over the stock and other aftermarket headers...If the Nismo does produce greater numbers its worth looking into...Wonder whether this is a stock Nismo Header that comes with the Nismo Package, or if its an actual Aftermarket Nismo part.

exhaust is looking great!

Congratulations! I agree with previous comments. The Stillen will sound smoother, deeper and more aggressive after about 1k miles. Enjoy...I know you will!

1k miles...looks like Alex has some driving to do.

Thanks guys, I’m truly enjoying this car the more I drive it!

The Stillen CBE are solid performers like a tank, damn they sound great!

Next more than likely will be Berk’s HFC, that being said ; I’ve still like to hear more on the F.I. LTH .

My only problem with long headers is that, if I decide it’s too loud or I just want to go back, I would have to replace both header and HFC , plus the gains are not yet as solid as the separate parts for the effort and cost yet IMO.

I will also be looking forward to hearing more on the Nismo header when it becomes available!

Thanks’,
Alex

Hi, these are the video sound clips I had promised.
The first clip is a cold start, the second I’m just revving a little and the last one is after its been idling a while, that character waking around the car is me! :eek:
Thanks , hope you enjoy,
Alex

YouTube - Elia Cid's 370Z "Orpheus" New Stillen CBE
YouTube - Elia Cid's 370Z "Orpheus" New Stillen CBE , part 2
YouTube - Elia Cid's 370Z "Orpheus" New Stillen CBE , part 3

Sounds good Alex. You need a camera assistant!

Yup!
I'm use to still photography not videos!
Hope you enjoy them any ways!
Alex

Like others have said, it generally takes 1,000 miles or so for the mufflers to bake in. During the first couple hundred miles or less you may also notice some light dust or fiberglass material on the exhaust tips when you park. This is perfectly normal as it's simply the muffler packing settling in. The tone will change slightly after 1,000 miles and in my opinion become a little bit sharper but it's mild and not offensive in anyway.

Thanks Kyle, :tiphat:
So far I’m loving the exhaust ,two other “Z’ owners in my area are getting the Stillen exhaust after hearing mines!
Plan on putting the HFC’s on hope it’s not terribly louder , if it were not for the fact that the HFC gives the exhaust a deeper mellower sound and gains, I would be perfectly happy with the sound I’m getting now ! :tup:

Thanks for a great product,

Alex

That explains it...I installed it about a week or two ago and took it to the track yesterday. I thought it sounded different but figured it was because I was under a helmet until I drove home and it sounded much louder/deeper.

Sounds like you heat cycled it completely.. and it's settled in. Will get a touch deeper.. but still no drone..

Josh, or Kyle @ Stillen,

Now that I have my Stillen CBE install and loving it :tup:

Lets talk Stillen headers:

How would they preform over stock headers ?

Are the internal dimensions different than stock?

What would be the gains , with my current mod set up?

Should I install headers next or should I install HFC first?

Thanks,

Alex

Alex, that exhaust sounds great in person! I'm sure having the G3 intakes helps to give it some additional growl when you get on it.

After looking at the pictures. The quality of the pipes and welds seem questionable. Im actually comparing the finished product to other brands like Greddy, HKS, Invidia ,ARK, and Berk. These companies all claim that they use T304SS but their finished products are all different.

Like I said"
If you like a low slung exhaust with a lot of spit and polish to pimp around L.A. type of cruising in your chick magnet, this exhaust IMO is not for you! “lol” "

"One last thing, I could have purchased any of the beautiful exhaust system out there, but as I listen to each sound clip I could get my hands on, I always came back to Stillen's CBE!"

Now that I've had the exhaust just about a week installed all I can say is "Wow" I really enjoy the performance gains and sound of the Stillen CBE , it flows so well with the best intake in town IMO the Stillen G3's, that I plan on doing the Stillen headers down the road to compliment this outstanding Intake and exhaust system from Stillen!

But ,to each his/her own I guess! :tup:

Alex

Just saying. Stillen G3 intake is awesome I own one as well but the exhaust, no so great.

All I'm saying , is I just happen to disagree!

I hope you have seen Steilln's exhaust preform and listen to them in person, installed,not just my post and internet sound clips.

That being said :
I happen to think that the Stillen exhaust are just as good in gains as F.I., Berk's, or HKS , they have a very unique sound that I prefer over the other exhaust !

But like i said, I'll say it again to each his own , just my pinion.

I'm enjoying my Stillens CBE, more and more every time i get in the car,:driving:

Alex

What don't you like about it? Specific feedback would be helpful to those who may be visiting this thread (and others like it) to help them make a decision about an aftermarket exhaust.

I saw that welds and I didn't like it. I don't care if its polished or not. Stillen used to be good. Now they just got too big and are probably making these overseas.

Oh do me a favor by the way. Place a magnet on those pipes and tell me if they stick or not.

Highwind,

Ok I did you a favor , the magnet did not stick to the pipes .

That being said :

Here's what Josh @ Stillen had to say!

Now do me a favor , in the future get your accusations and facts together!

Best,

Alex

You pay the troll too much mind. 9 posts, most of them hating on our fine exhaust in this thread.

Elia, it looks very good enjoy. :driving:

:tup:

Yup, :iagree: