Berk CBE and HFC Install and Review
 

So...today has started out great. FedEx knocks on my door with a present.

Hmmm...wonder what's in the boxes...
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...05g/001-11.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...05g/002-12.jpg


I will be installing this weekend and will update this thread with pictures, videos and reviews.

:D

Congratulations! You're going to love it!

Let us know if you are getting any rattling or clanking from your exhaust with the Berk HFC.

I've installed mine Monday night. Everything looked good, took if for a 100km round trip drive in the highway on Tuesday and a short drive around town the next day (yesterday) when I got the car home I had a look under the car to make sure everything was ok. I didn't notice any problems while driving, this was just precautionary.

What I noticed,

1. The rear left (drivers side) exhaust hanger for the mufflers was starting to come out of the ruber. I adjusted it and will keep an eye on it.

2. the section of pipe after the Y-pipe and before the mufflers. Right side (passenger side) of the car the hanger was barely in the rubber. I thought I could just re-seat the rubber but there isn't enough of the hanger going through. So I removed the rubber mount and moved it over (towards the centre of the car) approximately 1 inch. I have lots of the hanger inserted into the rubber now.

3. I notice a slight *rasp* when letting off the throttle from low to mid speed think city driving. I don't notice this noise during a down shift or during acceleration. I'm assuming this is a normal noise. It doesn't bother me, just looking for verification. I'm not sure if it could be an exhaust leak? I do know it's not caused by contact from braces, car, etc.

Here are some pics to illustrate point #2,

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6177/...511b2366_z.jpg
IMG 0999 by J M Gale, on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/...b35e1277_z.jpg
IMG_3559 by J M Gale, on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6065/...2a913681_z.jpg
IMG_3557 by J M Gale, on Flickr

My *fix*

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6207/...67f54d45_z.jpg
IMG_3562 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Overall, the quality of the welds are top notch, the performance improvements and sound are to die for. The small issues should not stop anyone from buying this exhaust, I am still satisfied with my purchase. Having built custom cars for years, I know poop happens and this is a really small issue.

I emailed Berk yesterday and am waiting to hear back from them regarding my small issues.

Can you fix your pictures? Some of them aren't showing up...

Also, how was it getting the cats off? Or did you only install exhaust?

The rasp you're hearing is probably the hiss sound. Every cbe has the hiss on decceleration.

the hiss probably isnt a bad thing. this is in my opinion the best combo for the car. for the member that asked about rattling, if yours has a rattle, there is a piece of metal that hangs from the bottom of the car, and sometimes hits the exhaust on the right side, just bend it away from the exhaust, and it will go away. happened to me.

I'm not surprised. The Berk HFC/Test pipes and the catback are known for fitment issues.

The fitment issues were supposed to be fixed...or at least the alignment issues have been resolved. I'll see tomorrow when I install.

The only issue I'm aware of is that the tips are sometimes not straight because of bent hangers. I haven't heard of problems with the hangers not staying in place.

The pics should be fixed.

The passenger side cat was easy. I did this side first. The Driver side cat sucked butt. My 1/2" extensions wouldn't fit because of the steering rod so I used a 3/8" socket, universal, extension with a 3/8-1/2" adaptor. I broke off one stud on the driver side. No biggie. Even with that trouble, the cats were easy compared to the two nuts at the tail end of the y-pipe. Those were a bugger!

Yes, it must be the hiss. I didn't think it was a big deal, and it doesn't bother me, just thought I would put it out there to see what others would say. I'm comfortable knowing it isn't something I did or didn't do while installing the exhaust.

I agree! I watched a few you-tube videos, and the CBE by itself sounded good, but then I saw a few videos with the CBE and HFC and was like :rock: I just had to have this set-up! I'm very happy with it!

Thanks for the info! Today is the big day. Gotta get through a normal day of work first though lol.

Awesome! You'll have it finished in time for some weekend cruising!

P.S. Remember to soak the heck out of the demon bolts with penetrating oil!

My catback(which is from the same batch as these guys) had 0 fitment issues. Like a glove

That's the thing with Berk. They're inconsistent. Some buyers had fitment problems, yet some don't. Even from the same batch. I guess it's a lack of quality control. Can't wait to hear how the OP's install went.

Getting ready to go out and install it now. It's about 7pm EST...going to try and finish it tonight with my friend. We'll see how it goes!!

I heard back from Berk. The *Hiss* is in fact normal. You will get this when using the HFC or Test Pipes. I thought it was normal but thought I would ask just to make sure I didn't do something wrong during the install.

They gave me a couple of tips regarding the small fitment issue I'm having. I am going to take the hanger bracket off, reinstall it in the factory location using the tips Berk gave me and test it for a few kilometres and see if things stay put.

Otherwise the exhaust is kickass!

Right, deceleration hiss is normal with this exhaust combo and most others with hfc if I'm not mistaken. What were Berk's tips on your fitment issues?

Berk stopped using the adjustable tips and went back to welded tips. No more need to cut.

Hi, I am looking to getting just the Berk exhaust alone. I was wondering if I would have any of these issues. Any information would be great. I am new to the whole exhaust thing :)

With just the exhaust there will be no hiss on deceleration. It is possible there may be a fitment issue(as is the possibility with any exhaust) but I wouldn't worry about it. More than likely it will fit properly and you will be happy as can be

They suggested that I use brake cleaner or windex to clean the rods on the exhaust to prevent them from slipping in the hangers. I'll move my hanger bracket back to the factory location and clean all the exhaust rods then put a few miles on it and see if things stay put.

Just so you know, the *hiss* I hear is perfectly normal and to be expected when using HFC or test pipes. I don't think you'll hear this *hiss* when doing CBE only.

My fitment issue isn't that big of a deal, the fix I did was dead easy. However Berk responded to my email with a suggestion to clean the exhaust rods so they will not slip. I'm going to do this tomorrow, and reinstall the hanger bracket back to the factory location and will report back with my results after I put a few more miles on the car.

I strongly recommend the Berk exhaust. The performance and sound is second to none.

Yea man that Berk sounds great. Been searching almost every exhaust on YouTube and the Berk gives you that sound like it should have came from the factory and I have heard it gives you the most power increase compared to others. Btw how much was the install?

Free... did it in my garage.
The CBE is a really easy install. Heck the HFC aren't that bad either, just time.

Hey guys.

Well...my friend and I got the entire passenger side installed. We're having major issues with that one bolt on the driver's side. We finally gave it up around 2am. Going to try and see what we can now that we're all rested...Any suggestions for the bolt on the driver's side? We've hit it with PB blaster, gone in from the engine bay, removed the top tube of my CAI. Was thinking trying going in through the wheel well maybe...

That sounds like the same one I had trouble with. It was a bugger and took the longest to get. I blasted it with penetrating oil and used 3/8" tools to access it through the engine bay. I also used part of the handle from my floor jack to put on the end of my breaker bar for more leverage.

I'm sure you'll have no problems removing it today with a bit of sleep and fresh eyes.

Son of a B****....this one bolt is kicking my ***. Unfortunately I don't have a 3/8" breaker bar...only a 1/2"...still working on it though. I wish there was a way to just cut it off.

Alrighty...here's an update.

I couldn't get the driver's side cat out. I ended having to schedule an appointment with an exhaust shop who is going to do it. I explained to them how much trouble I had and they seem to think they can get it out. So if you're wondering:

Yes - I currently have one HFC on the passenger side and one stock cat on the driver's side. From there I have the X pipe, both Berk exhaust tubes and the Berk muffler. The only thing that isn't Berk is the driver's side cat. Seems silly huh? Believe it or not, it doesn't sound all that bad. I'll just have to drive it around like this until next Saturday....

Sorry to hear that B-bolt was being so difficult! It was a smart move to call it quits and set up an appointment though. You don't want to round off the head of that bolt and make it harder and more expensive to remove. Good luck:tup:

Yeah no kidding! Tire Kingdom said they couldn't get it off...but they didn't remove my top intake tube or the strut bar...so I give them an F on their attempt. Yes I know expectations shouldn't be high...but they were what was available for same day service. Kind of sucks that I have two different cats...but I'll post a video of the sound tomorrow lol.

I realize this is late but, I used a 1/2" breaker bar with half of the handle from my floor jack to help break the bolt loose. The I used a 5" and 10" 1/2" extension then a 1/2"-3/8" adaptor to a 10" 3/8" extension to a 3/8" universal to a 3/8" 14mm socket. I also removed the top tube from my Stillen Gen 3. This was the only way I could get to it.

At least you have 90% of the exhaust on now and can enjoy the awesome Berk sound!

As far as my exhaust goes, I put my car back on the jack stands, loosened off every bolt on the exhaust, and tightened them back up moving from the back of the car to the front. I then removed the rubber hangers and cleaned all the exhaust rods with brake cleaner, then reinstalled the hangers in the factory locations. I was able to get everything fitting good, just need to put a few miles on the car to make sure everything stays put.

Yeah...we tried both 1/2" and 3/8" breaker bars and nothing worked. The socket just kept slipping off the bolt and I was afraid we would strip it. Yeah it sucks..but I'll pay the money to get it installed at this point. I'm going to check all the bolts tomorrow and re-tighten everything. I hear a slight rattle at start up...but once the car gets warm...I stop hearing it so I don't know what it could be.

As far as the fitment goes, Berk got it spot on. Everything fits like a glove and the alignment is perfect! I've driven it about 20 miles already and both pipes are still in their hangers with a decent amount that is sticking out the other side of the hanger.

Hey guys, here is a video of my new Berk CBE and Berk HFC. Right now I only have the HFC on the passenger side and will get the driver's side installed next week by a shop. :/

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...h_VID00001.jpg

Tips are round?? That's weird. I just installed my berk exhaust also and tips are more oval like OEM.

Also, the exhaust fit like OEM. Flawless!! Very happy.

Nvmnd... Just how it looked on my phone

Yeah...they looked more round on that picture...but when you watch the video...they are more oval. They look just like OEM and the fitment was absolutely flawless!!! Can't wait to hear it with both HFCs.

The fitment on mine was perfect as well. Almost better than OEM.

Hello, I'm looking to get just the Berk exhaust only. I was wondering if it would sound similar to ones with the HFC installed. I don't want to install the HFC's because of it legality and maybe inspection issues. I want that Berk sound just want to know if just the CBE will sound as good.