Another Fast Intentions HFC / Exhaust Review! (WARNING: LOTS OF PICS)

[phelan]

Where do I start? Well let's start out with the fact that the drive took two hours both ways, so I had plenty of time to think about the car. But the end result is...wow. So here's a quick and dirty review after only a few days of running around with the car. For those of you who want to see another opinion: drisko (who I ran into at the shop! 'sup ) wrote up something up as well, and...I'm stealing his format . See it here: Fast Intentions Cat-Back & HF Cats Review

My setup: Stock + 18" CF Resonators + HFCs

Looks: 9.5/10. A remarkable improvement over the stock system, in my opinion. I inspected the exhaust before it was installed and everything - the metal and carbon fiber - was flawless. I'm impressed with the unique look this system represents. The mesh inside is clearly visible and makes an interesting contrast to the meshed CF resonators. I'd never seen that before. I very happy with how the system looks, although I can't help but think it would look even better with a little more oval shape. Oh, and coming from my workplace, I can certainly appreciate some good welds

Yes Tony, I'm knocking you half a point to keep you from getting complacent .

Installation: 10/10. Yes, I did stand around and watch as the stock exhaust came off and the new one was bolted on. Tony makes it look easy, but I must applaud his attention to detail. Very clean install with no issues whatsoever. I could also tell we were being perfectionists about this exhaust. We must have gone up and down the ladder about 4-5 times to look down at the tips and make sure they were perfectly aligned. It's that extra step that I really, really appreciated, and the finished product shows the amount of time and effort Fast Intentions put in. Thanks guys!

With my current setup, I'm certainly not worried that the resonators will scrape over bumps. However, I am planning to get some lowering springs or coilovers in the near future, so that may be the true test. I'll write about that when the time comes. For now...I have no fear whatsoever.

Sound: 9/10. Night and day here, folks. One of the first phrases Tony said before pulling the car into the garage was "It'll never sound like this again". And I have to admit, he's certainly right. I'll admit that when I first heard the stock exhaust, I thought it was a nice compromise system - not too loud, but still growls when you start it or give it a good kick. With the FI system, the car literally roars to life. Unbelievable noise that is sure to, for better or worse, attract a lot of attention. (Case in point: I went to Seibon Customer Appreciation day after this and got a few head turns just parking the car )

Inside, the cabin is waaaay louder than before. Forget all your worries of the 18" being too quiet, because it certainly isn't! It's a cacophony of noise that brought a huge grin to my face the entire drive home. There are only two drawbacks that I can mention:

1. There is a slight hissing noise that you hear every time you back off the throttle. drisko mentioned it already, and I'm just confirming it. It's not too big of a deal, but it's definitely noticeable now. It's like a blow-off valve at the bottom of my car...
2. I can't for the life of me remember when, but I did get some droning effects on the drive home. I haven't had it since, but I'm going to do some more driving and update as needed.

Other than that...so far so good. I'm absolutely loving the sound this car creates, and the SRM system just makes it even more fun. It's a deep, exotic howl that announces my arrival at home long before the garage door even opens! Tony mentioned that it will quiet down somewhat as the exhaust is broken in, but I'm happy enough as it is.

Performance: TBD. I did reset the ECU right after installation so I'm hoping that will quicken the learning it has to do. The throttle response has markedly improved, that much I can tell, and there was a surprising amount of power after 5-6k RPMs...but I have yet to really put the car through its paces. I reserve some judgment here, but Monday I'll at least have some dyno results for everybody. For now, though, I really appreciate the responsiveness of the car.

Final Thought: Take the numbers for what you want, but I really think you can't go wrong with this exhaust. And if you do have issues with it, I wouldn't be surprised to see Tony going out of his way to make sure you're satisfied with what he's producing. Congrats to the Fast Intentions crew on making a superb exhaust sytem. Now teach me how to weld, Tony!

Now then...pictures!

Before:




Installation:





Final!





Before and After Pics:


Final pic of the car, honest!


OH, OFF-TOPIC NOTE! If you go in to get the install, I suggest grabbing food at Brent's. Check out this sandwich...the black pastrami reuben


Thanks for reading! +rep if you liked it

~phelan

[phelan]

Dyno results! I did runs on a DynoPack system at Church Automotive (out in the middle of nowhere, but Shawn knows what he's doing, and is very friendly about things. I like going there for all of my tuning and dyno stuff.) And here are the results!





So we're basically looking at a little under +19hp/10lbft of torque with this system. Note that DynaPacks tend to read higher than DynoJets or similar systems. Car is apparently leaned out...I initially assumed an incorrect "proper" AFR for an NA car. Sorry! Still, a tune could probably help out a little here.

The exhaust system has definitely quieted down - but then again, it's still a ridiculous howl when you have high engine load at low rpms... It's still a beast on the road, no doubt about it. However, it's not the raucous roar it was when I first got it. Just a word of warning to those who like theirs LOUD...go with SACLAM or something.

Also, be prepared for some popping to occur from the released backpressure. Makes the car sound 'racey', and some people may NOT like it...I was certainly surprised, so just warnin' you all. See Tony's response on page 2 for better explanations.

Another note: I may or may not do a video with this current configuration. Fusz put an EXCELLENT video up in the main thread.

Yes it has stillen parts in with it but...eh...close enough? I plan to take videos when I get the Injen intakes.


Still loving this system!

[F.I. Inc.]

Originally Posted by phelan

The AFR is also a little on the rich side through the entire run. Not sure since I'm still relatively new to all these, but a tune could probably help out a little here.

Phelan,

Your Air Fuel Ratio is NOT too rich. It is on the leaner side. The higher the number the leaner the A/F. The lower the number, the richer the A/F.

Optimum A/F for a naturally aspirated car is: 12.6:1-13.0:1

You are right in the optimum area.

Now, this makes sense that you car has leaned out. When you relieve back pressure like you have you lean a car out. Now, your mass air meter is designed to compensate for modifications. It does but only to an extent. I am looking at your dyno charts and I can tell you that the car leaned out. They are higher than the previous numbers. Also one thing to keep in mind, A/F numbers will be a different number the further back the reading is taken. The optimum point to take an A/f ratio reading on a dyno is before the catalytic converters. So to recap, I know that a set of aftermarket cats and cat back exhaust system such as ours WILL NOT lean a car out to the point of DANGER. However, it doesn't hurt to get a car tuned after the fact.

The popping noise you hear sometimes on deceleration is the freed up back pressure due to the free flowing exhaust.

One more thing to add, even though you are on a dynapak you are still hooked up to the axles, that is still considered a rear wheel or (at the tires reading)! To record flywheel power you have to dyno an engine on an engine dyno out of the car.

Call me if you need anything...

Thanks, Tony

[drisko]

Originally Posted by phelan

Also, be prepared for some popping to occur from the released backpressure. Makes the car sound 'racey', and some people may NOT like it...I was certainly surprised, so just warnin' you all. See Tony's response on page 2 for better explanations.

This is one of the things I really like about the exhaust system. The "popping" sounds awesome to me.

[Push370zzz]

Originally Posted by phelan

Dyno results! I did runs on a DynoPack system at Church Automotive (out in the middle of nowhere, but Shawn knows what he's doing, and is very friendly about things. I like going there for all of my tuning and dyno stuff.) And here are the results!





So we're basically looking at a little under +19hp/10lbft of torque with this system. Note that DynaPacks tend to read higher than DynoJets or similar systems. Car is apparently leaned out...I initially assumed an incorrect "proper" AFR for an NA car. Sorry! Still, a tune could probably help out a little here.

The exhaust system has definitely quieted down - but then again, it's still a ridiculous howl when you have high engine load at low rpms... It's still a beast on the road, no doubt about it. However, it's not the raucous roar it was when I first got it. Just a word of warning to those who like theirs LOUD...go with SACLAM or something.

Also, be prepared for some popping to occur from the released backpressure. Makes the car sound 'racey', and some people may NOT like it...I was certainly surprised, so just warnin' you all. See Tony's response on page 2 for better explanations.

Another note: I may or may not do a video with this current configuration. Fusz put an EXCELLENT video up in the main thread.

Yes it has stillen parts in with it but...eh...close enough? I plan to take videos when I get the Injen intakes.


Still loving this system!

I believe that second graph violates the vertical line test.

[cjr1881]

hey uh... a couple of comments. Your rear bumper should be all red, it looks really cheap the way it is. And the second thing is, you said it twice at least that you had carbon fiber resonators. Those are mufflers buddy.

[adampetrasek]

Originally Posted by cjr1881

hey uh... a couple of comments. Your rear bumper should be all red, it looks really cheap the way it is. And the second thing is, you said it twice at least that you had carbon fiber resonators. Those are mufflers buddy.

Your first post on the forums is this?!?

[Bster]

Good feedback and review!

[Shunya]

wooooo very nice Phelan

[LiquidZ]

What a lovely exhaust system.

[kdo2milger]

looks good man, look forward to the dyno

[Black kNight]

looks good
but can you upload video clip for your Z with the new Exhaust
so we can hear the sound of the Z now

[FuszNissan]

Looking good. I love the sound of this exhaust. So mean!

[G37Sam]

Getting an FI exhaust was the best thing that happened to my G.. Congrats on the purchase!

[F.I. Inc.]

Very detailed review. Thank you Andrew, do not hesitate to ask if you need anything...

Thanks, Tony