Stillen Headers + Berk HFCs self-install report

RCZ · 03-29-2009, 08:33 PM

Yes! That sounds great!

I need to get me those HFC's sooner than later!

How does it feel?

wstar · 03-29-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

Yes! That sounds great!

I need to get me those HFC's sooner than later!

How does it feel?

Well it feels great, but the stock car felt great too

As I said earlier, I can definitely feel a bit more pull in the high rpm ranges. When shifting "manually" with the paddle shifters, I keep hitting the rev limiter accidentally because 7.5k comes around quicker than I was used to from the first month of driving (you can hear me do that a couple of times in the vid I think, where you hear a double-peak in the rpms just before the shift). But butt dynos are butt dynos, so it's not conclusive.

Based on the sound, vibration/rasp issues, and just having a good look at the stock exhaust, I know that stock cat-back is the major holdup right now, probably robbing me of some of the headers'/cats' gains.

RCZ · 03-31-2009, 08:37 PM

Hehe, I have the stillen catback and headers at home. Missing the HFC's

Damnit haha.

wstar · 03-31-2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

Hehe, I have the stillen catback and headers at home. Missing the HFC's

Damnit haha.

Well, I've got the headers and HFCs on the car, but no catback

I just got my shipping/tracking info today though. The Stillen catback (and gen3 intake) will arrive here thursday. I'm hoping to at least get the catback done this weekend, if not both.

BerkTech · 04-01-2009, 05:20 AM

That was an excellent writeup! We got detailed descriptions, pictures, & videos! What more could you ask for.

BERK is looking to source a 370Z to build a cat back exhaust for the 370Z so you guys can complete your exhaust systems.

Black kNight · 04-01-2009, 05:35 AM

thanks for the video clip
it sounds like a beast but i think it needs cat-back

LiquidZ · 04-01-2009, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BerkTech

That was an excellent writeup! We got detailed descriptions, pictures, & videos! What more could you ask for.

BERK is looking to source a 370Z to build a cat back exhaust for the 370Z so you guys can complete your exhaust systems.

Just some pointers if BERK is looking to make a catback for these cars:

1. Please make it all T-304 SS
2. X-pipe
3. No single muffler designs. Something similar to the Stillen and GTM units.

BerkTech · 04-02-2009, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiquidZ

Just some pointers if BERK is looking to make a catback for these cars:

1. Please make it all T-304 SS
2. X-pipe
3. No single muffler designs. Something similar to the Stillen and GTM units.

1. Of course!

2. Debatable. We will build & prototype no less than 3 different configurations (true dual, X pipe, conventional Y-pipe). One of them will have the best overall characteristics of sound and where you are trying to improve that power curve (mid range or top end). The perfect exhaust is one that would vary in length and size dynamically with engine speed & load, but that doesn't exist yet. Maybe in 20 years......

3. Yes, I agree with you here. Single muffler systems tend to act like a giant baffled muffler which hurt performance. If designed properly we will be able to use dual mufflers while still maintaining good exhaust tone.

And sorry about the thread hi-jack! We'll start another one later for the soon to come BERK 370Z exhaust.

wstar · 04-02-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BerkTech

And sorry about the thread hi-jack! We'll start another one later for the soon to come BERK 370Z exhaust.

No worries, this thread has outlived its purpose anyways

wstar · 04-02-2009, 10:18 AM

The delivery guy just showed up with my Cat-back and intakes

. The cat-back is definitely going on ASAP, maybe tonight after I get done working. The intakes maybe this weekend (I may delay on the intake though, there's some other things I might want to do at the same time while all of the intake is out and the bumper is off). New video with a full exhaust setup (from engine block to rear bumper) should be up in a new thread by tomorrow.

semtex · 04-02-2009, 10:23 AM

Cool. Are you gonna dyno?

wstar · 04-02-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

Cool. Are you gonna dyno?

Yeah once these two parts are on I plan on it.

alan93rsa · 04-02-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Just some pointers if BERK is looking to make a catback for these cars:

1. Please make it all T-304 SS

There are better 300 series stainless products for an exhaust system. Type 321 is a much better choice. It is titanium stabilized. As such it is much less prone to inter granular corrosion attack, IGA. Cracks form around the welds and everybody thinks the weld failed. The problem is chrome depletion in the grain boundaries in the heat affected zone, HAZ. The lowered levels of chrome allow the exhaust gas condensate to attack the grain boundaries. The problem is at it's worst for low mileage cars driven short distances. If you always get the car and the exhaust system up to operating temperatures then it isn't as bad.

The muffler on my 93 RSA failed around the outlet welds in 2 seasons. I cut out the welds and did the micro analysis in our lab and sent the report to the manufacturer. After initially telling me my muffler failed due to poor mounting, thus voiding their warranty, I got a new system in the mail.

Sorry for being 'really' off topic.

LiquidZ · 04-02-2009, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alan93rsa

There are better 300 series stainless products for an exhaust system. Type 321 is a much better choice. It is titanium stabilized. As such it is much less prone to inter granular corrosion attack, IGA. Cracks form around the welds and everybody thinks the weld failed. The problem is chrome depletion in the grain boundaries in the heat affected zone, HAZ. The lowered levels of chrome allow the exhaust gas condensate to attack the grain boundaries. The problem is at it's worst for low mileage cars driven short distances. If you always get the car and the exhaust system up to operating temperatures then it isn't as bad.

The muffler on my 93 RSA failed around the outlet welds in 2 seasons. I cut out the welds and did the micro analysis in our lab and sent the report to the manufacturer. After initially telling me my muffler failed due to poor mounting, thus voiding their warranty, I got a new system in the mail.

Sorry for being 'really' off topic.

Thanks for the input.

What does the 321 cost though? I think 304 is a great choice.

LiquidZ · 04-02-2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BerkTech

1. Of course!

2. Debatable. We will build & prototype no less than 3 different configurations (true dual, X pipe, conventional Y-pipe). One of them will have the best overall characteristics of sound and where you are trying to improve that power curve (mid range or top end). The perfect exhaust is one that would vary in length and size dynamically with engine speed & load, but that doesn't exist yet. Maybe in 20 years......

3. Yes, I agree with you here. Single muffler systems tend to act like a giant baffled muffler which hurt performance. If designed properly we will be able to use dual mufflers while still maintaining good exhaust tone.

And sorry about the thread hi-jack! We'll start another one later for the soon to come BERK 370Z exhaust.

Definitely keep us posted.

As for point 2... I said that because I'm not a fan of Y-pipes. I am assuming they tend to be the worst in terms of performance.

03-29-2009, 08:33 PM	#16 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1119	Yes! That sounds great! I need to get me those HFC's sooner than later! How does it feel? Last edited by RCZ; 03-29-2009 at 08:35 PM.

04-01-2009, 05:20 AM	#20 (permalink)
BerkTech The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Irvine CA Posts: 279 Drives: Lots.... Rep Power: 272	That was an excellent writeup! We got detailed descriptions, pictures, & videos! What more could you ask for. BERK is looking to source a 370Z to build a cat back exhaust for the 370Z so you guys can complete your exhaust systems. __________________ While the others type fast... Berk Technology goes fast.... See you at the track! OUR NEW PHONE NUMBER: (714) 546-BERK READ THE BERK BLOG HERE

04-02-2009, 10:18 AM	#25 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	The delivery guy just showed up with my Cat-back and intakes . The cat-back is definitely going on ASAP, maybe tonight after I get done working. The intakes maybe this weekend (I may delay on the intake though, there's some other things I might want to do at the same time while all of the intake is out and the bumper is off). New video with a full exhaust setup (from engine block to rear bumper) should be up in a new thread by tomorrow. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

04-02-2009, 10:23 AM	#26 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 54 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	Cool. Are you gonna dyno? __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

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03-31-2009, 08:37 PM	#18 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1119	Hehe, I have the stillen catback and headers at home. Missing the HFC's Damnit haha.

04-01-2009, 05:35 AM	#21 (permalink)
Black kNight Base Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Oman Posts: 239 Drives: Model 2003 MB C-180k Rep Power: 273	thanks for the video clip it sounds like a beast but i think it needs cat-back