Only one: HFC, Gen3 Intake, or CBE?

spearfish25 · 06-17-2009, 03:07 PM

My wife wants to cut my nuts off for talking about modifying the car, but alas I plan to do it anyway. So, considering bang for the buck as well as improved power and enhanced aesthetics (better sound)...which ONE would you do first? Money is a factor as I'm buying winter rims too.

1) Stillen Gen3 Intake
2) Berk HFCs
3) Stillen CBE

sensi09 · 06-17-2009, 03:14 PM

The HFC will be the most bang for the buck in terms of power....but if you're just getting one, I'd get the exhaust.

semtex · 06-17-2009, 03:14 PM

Do the HFCs. There are some new CBEs about to come to market. Doing the HFCs first will give time for these other players to get their CBEs finished, which means you'll have more choices. Berk, for instance, is preparing to release their own CBE for the 370Z.

sensi09 · 06-17-2009, 03:17 PM

One thing to consider is that HFC and exhaust combined might be a bit loud for some. HFC will of course yield more power, but I'd get an exhaust first then decide if I want something louder.

FuszNissan · 06-17-2009, 03:17 PM

HFC, good power, better sound and cheaper

Scribe · 06-17-2009, 03:18 PM

Where's the option for the ECU flash? If you are serious about performance, that is your best bet. My first call will likely be to Technosquare for a 93 octane specific performance map.

If you don't care as much, anything you have is fine because the change in sound/performance will likely satisfy your i-modified-my-car jones.

SoCal 370Z · 06-17-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

My wife wants to cut my nuts off...

Well, life will become a lot less enjoyable—unless you intend on sleeping, and having sex with your car.

sensi09 · 06-17-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by in.the.dark

Where's the option for the ECU flash? If you are serious about performance, that is your best bet. My first call will likely be to Technosquare for a 93 octane specific performance map.

If you don't care as much, anything you have is fine because the change in sound/performance will likely satisfy your i-modified-my-car jones.

If you're going somewhere like technosquare, it will be more cost-effective to get all bolt-ons done prior to doing a reflash.

semtex · 06-17-2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sensi09

If you're going somewhere like technosquare, it will be more cost-effective to get all bolt-ons done prior to doing a reflash.

I was about to say the same thing. Getting a reflash prior to completing all your bolt-ons is a complete waste of money.

nogoodname · 06-17-2009, 04:19 PM

i put you down for Berks HFC's......better flow and has a rumble, so the CBE can wait after the intakes are put in.

spearfish25 · 06-17-2009, 04:20 PM

Thanks guys, definitely appreciating the advice and look forward to anyone elses opinions.

I haven't found any clips of Berk HFCs alone. At this point, I have no problem with having a louder exhaust as long as my car doesn't sound like a rice cooker. Do the HFCs alone have a nasty buzz or does the sound mature with some time to keep a good, sporty note?

As you noted, the HFCs are cost effective and none of these bolt-ons sound like a challenging install.

One_Quick_Z · 06-17-2009, 04:21 PM

Get Test Pipes instead if you dont have to worry about Emissions other than that HFC's

Wait on the exhaust like others have said there will be many to choose from in a year

DAN

spearfish25 · 06-17-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogoodname007

i put you down for Berks HFC's......better flow and has a rumble, so the CBE can wait after the intakes are put in.

Nice, and for the price of the CBEs I can do both the intakes and HFCs.

One_Quick_Z · 06-17-2009, 04:23 PM

HFC's do not have rasp

Some test pipes do at certain rpms

When I had APS TP on my 350z the rasp was from 3200rpm-4200rmp under WOT

But I thought it sounded good I also Had Megan Racing Headers,Borla TD

DAN

spearfish25 · 06-17-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by One_Quick_Z

Get Test Pipes instead if you dont have to worry about Emissions other than that HFC's

Wait on the exhaust like others have said there will be many to choose from in a year

DAN

Emissions testing these days in Illinois is just a computer hookup. Would that even register a violation if I had test pipes instead of HFCs?

View Poll Results: Which bolt-on should be done first (most bang for the buck)?
Stillen Gen3 Intake	9	18.75%
Berk HFCs	27	56.25%
Stillen CBE	8	16.67%
Don't do anything unless you're doing more than one.	4	8.33%
Voters: 48. You may not vote on this poll

06-17-2009, 03:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Only one: HFC, Gen3 Intake, or CBE? My wife wants to cut my nuts off for talking about modifying the car, but alas I plan to do it anyway. So, considering bang for the buck as well as improved power and enhanced aesthetics (better sound)...which ONE would you do first? Money is a factor as I'm buying winter rims too. 1) Stillen Gen3 Intake 2) Berk HFCs 3) Stillen CBE

06-17-2009, 03:14 PM	#3 (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	Do the HFCs. There are some new CBEs about to come to market. Doing the HFCs first will give time for these other players to get their CBEs finished, which means you'll have more choices. Berk, for instance, is preparing to release their own CBE for the 370Z. __________________ "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.

06-17-2009, 03:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
FuszNissan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 14,275 Drives: Pure Sex Rep Power: 542	HFC, good power, better sound and cheaper __________________ Mods: Too Many to list! LouFuszNissan ZDAYZ 2012

06-17-2009, 04:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
One_Quick_Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Seneca Il Posts: 1,374 Drives: 10 Civic EX Sedan Rep Power: 219	Get Test Pipes instead if you dont have to worry about Emissions other than that HFC's Wait on the exhaust like others have said there will be many to choose from in a year DAN __________________ -My BRZ with exhaust will decimate all if we overnight parts from Japan- 10 Civic EX Sedan- Current Daily

06-17-2009, 03:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
sensi09 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: so cal Posts: 449 Drives: _ Rep Power: 16	The HFC will be the most bang for the buck in terms of power....but if you're just getting one, I'd get the exhaust.

06-17-2009, 03:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
sensi09 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: so cal Posts: 449 Drives: _ Rep Power: 16	One thing to consider is that HFC and exhaust combined might be a bit loud for some. HFC will of course yield more power, but I'd get an exhaust first then decide if I want something louder.

06-17-2009, 03:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
Scribe Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Houston, TX. Posts: 182 Drives: Touring-Sport-Manual Rep Power: 220	Where's the option for the ECU flash? If you are serious about performance, that is your best bet. My first call will likely be to Technosquare for a 93 octane specific performance map. If you don't care as much, anything you have is fine because the change in sound/performance will likely satisfy your i-modified-my-car jones.

06-17-2009, 04:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1765	i put you down for Berks HFC's......better flow and has a rumble, so the CBE can wait after the intakes are put in.

06-17-2009, 04:20 PM	#11 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Thanks guys, definitely appreciating the advice and look forward to anyone elses opinions. I haven't found any clips of Berk HFCs alone. At this point, I have no problem with having a louder exhaust as long as my car doesn't sound like a rice cooker. Do the HFCs alone have a nasty buzz or does the sound mature with some time to keep a good, sporty note? As you noted, the HFCs are cost effective and none of these bolt-ons sound like a challenging install.

06-17-2009, 04:23 PM	#14 (permalink)
One_Quick_Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Seneca Il Posts: 1,374 Drives: 10 Civic EX Sedan Rep Power: 219	HFC's do not have rasp Some test pipes do at certain rpms When I had APS TP on my 350z the rasp was from 3200rpm-4200rmp under WOT But I thought it sounded good I also Had Megan Racing Headers,Borla TD DAN __________________ -My BRZ with exhaust will decimate all if we overnight parts from Japan- 10 Civic EX Sedan- Current Daily

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Stillen Gen3 Intake, Berk Hi-flow cat, and Stillen cat-back exhaust	axio	Intake/Exhaust	82	07-31-2009 01:41 PM
Nismo intake??	JonnieN	Intake/Exhaust	1	06-08-2009 07:26 PM
Intake?	AG370z	Intake/Exhaust	5	05-10-2009 09:37 PM
New Intake/Exhausts	BPAuto	Intake/Exhaust	10	03-18-2009 08:58 PM