Review - Fast Intentions 3" TDX - GTM version
 

I have had my Fast Intentions 3" non-resonated TDX for about three weeks now so it's time for a review.

First the backstory,
I originally had a Berk 2.5" exhaust with Berk HFC's on my Z. I really liked the sound from that combo and never thought I would change it. My initial exhaust choice was based on the fact that I had Intended on going with a GTM Stage II SC. I wound up changing my mind to a GTM Stage I TT with external waste gates and 3" down pipes.

After I installed the TT kit I found that everything I liked about the Berk sound was gone. The turbos were quieting down the exhaust far more than I had anticipated.

I looked around for a 3" system and found that there really aren't many choices.

I thought about modifying the Berk and removing the resonators but I didn't want to hurt the resale value. Plus that really wouldn't give me any power benefit.

As I was trying to decide what to do I saw a post by Ron that said he had possibly talked Tony into making a 3" version of his TDX.

I spoke with Tony for almost an hour in the first call. You really get the sense that Tony is a car guy and his passion for what he does shows. I'm sure you've all read the glowing reviews about how he is to do business with. There is no BS in those reviews. You can see it in the way he keeps the other thread updated. And it is apparent as soon as you talk to him.
I put down my deposit for a 3" TDX with 18" resonators in mid January and sold the Berk soon after.

There were some delays in the building of the prototype but Tony kept me up to date as much as possible.

During one of our conversations Tony was remarking as to how quiet the system was with resonators and he felt that it didn't need them. I was apprehensive because I didn't want it to be overly loud. Tony reassured me that if it was too loud that we could add the resonators later. I decided to go non resonated.

I also expected some delays as I know it was a new design. My car was away for the winter anyway so it didn't matter. We had a unseasonably warm winter and I was dying to drive my car so I started driving it with no exhaust. At first it was cool to hear the turbos spooling but it got tiring fast. Here couple of vids with the open dumps:





Here is an example of Tony's attention to detail. As my exhaust was being packaged some scratches were discovered on the cans. Rather than just put it in the box and send it out he made arrangements to have them buffed out. Tony called me right away and explained that he couldn't let it out the door this way. This caused a slight further delay in me getting my exhaust but that didn't bother me one bit. It's that attention to detail that has made a Fast Intentions system worth waiting for. I waited longer for my Berk and it was pretty scratched up.

Here is the system laid out on the garage floor:

http://www.the370z.com/members/dembf...esonated-3.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/dembf...6-fi-3-tdx.jpg

The install was straight forward. Everything lined up great. I had it installed in less than an hour.

Ground clearance is better than stock. And that is awesome since I am now lower with my Swifts:
http://www.the370z.com/members/dembf...-expect-fi.jpg
Here are some installed pics:

http://www.the370z.com/members/dembf...er-now-too.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/dembf...op-staring.jpg

Here is the first start up:



Now for the good stuff. The sound is classic Fast Intentions. Low and smooth but aggressive when you get on it.

I installed the exhaust on a Monday and the next day I had to go to St Louis for work. It was a 560 mile round trip. The sound wasn't the least bit fatiguing. There is some drone but if you think you're not going to get drone with no cats and 3" piping from the turbos back then you're nuts.

Seriously though if you want a super quiet you could always add 18" resonators and the high flow cats in the lead pipes.

I had borrowed a Go Pro but the sound quality was poor. Then I took a chance and attached my iPhone to the bumper and well....



And then theres....




Some of you may know about the issues that I was having with getting my external waste gate recirculation pipes to line up. Well, after deciding to give them one more try, and removing every pipe and also loosening the turbos themselves, I was able to get them in. I am much happier with the sound now that there isnt screaming waste gates to ruin the sound of the FI exhaust.

If you have a Greddy or GTM TT, it would be silly to not go with this exhaust.


Another totally satisfied Fast Intention customer.

Thanks again Tony!

I am glad you like it! +1 for fast intentions. Rep to you sir for taking the plunge to be one of the first with the 3"

wow that sounds sick.. cant wait!

Dave,

Great review! We are glad to of had your business and wish you the best with the exhaust. I know that it was a long process but I trust in the end the wait was worth it.

Please do not ever hesitate to call me with any questions that you may have.

Thank you, Tony

wow
 

Thanks for taking the time to post all that. This again confirms for me that I'm going to go with the F.I. and the 18" res's. This is my daily driver, so I don't want to to much, but having it sound better when I do get into it is what I'm looking for. Also like the way it looks. Thanks again...


Wow! dual turbo...what kind of HP are you hitting with that set up?:tup:

Very nice videos, Dave! I need to get some videos put together. I'm jealous you and Ron can run without cats!

Drool. Great review, great product

Dembflyr, you're running recirculated EWG's? Not dump to atmosphere right?

Back in October I went to a dyno event and it was 474 rwhp and 396 rwtq. That was with the Berk exhaust.


Correct. I was able to get the recirc pipes to line up after about 5 trys. Each time I took more apart in my attempt. I realize now that it was the down pipes that were not in the correct position and that was causing most of the alignment issues. By the last time I figured I would just bite the bullet and remove just about everything and leave it all loose while putting it back together. That was a huge pain (took me two days) but I am so much happier that they are in.

Dembflyr,
that is an awesome setup... if i say i wasnt jealous i'd be lying lol. Im just glad that FI makes such a great product. I cant wait till my CBE exhaust comes in shortly within this or next week. Update us when u get ur car on the dyno again with this new setup and your new HP. Once again congrats and loved the videos:driving:

How has it been the past few months since you got the FI exhaust while lowered on the swifts? I have the Fi exhaust and I am ready to pull the trigger on the swifts, but I am scared to scrape my cans up real bad. How are yours doing?

I can't coment on the 2.5" version but this one has zero ground clearance issues with the swifts.

Ron also has the FI 3" exhaust lowered on swifts on his TT nismo and it's fine.

I may have missed this but did you retune after adding the FI exhaust?

No I didn't. I am still on the canned tune from GTM. It was my intention to get it done when I got a boost controller and new clutch. That won't be being done by me. Maybe the future owner will get it done.