can I have the cake and eat it too?
 

At the risk of sounding like a wussy I am still writing this post... I have Berk HFC and Stillen CBE. Bottom line, I think it is too loud from 3K-5K under load of any amount. It is hard to stay talking to the passenger at this RPM range and flat out I think it is quite annoying. Unfortunately this RPM range is used almost all the time. I would like to not sacrifice the performance gains from the 2 exhaust items. I welcome your suggestions!!!

Nope, not really. Not unless you add more sound deadening. When tossing on mods like that (anything with the exhaust really), you're just asking for the dreaded drone right in that RPM range.

Remove the mods would be my suggestion, to fix it.

wait till you get an intake.

I would suggest not talking and just listen to the sweet music of the engine!

You can always have extra resonators welded inline to the exhaust. It won't eliminate the drone, but it can greatly help.

the stillen cbe doesnt drone at all..

You could use the stock catback....sacrifice some power for quietness. I think thats nuts, but thats just me. I love the noise and I can hear conversations fine. I like Phimosis' suggestion.

I noticed you're planning to add a blower (per your sig). You definitely don't want to plug up the exhaust if you're adding a blower.

Contrary to what has been said, there is a drone between 3.5K and 5K rep. At least there is in my Z. I guess that is what is most annoying. Does anyone have an opinion as to which is most likely to either remove the drone or substantially improve it: Removing the CBE, Removing the HFC, or adding some type of resonator or something like it in the exhaust track? I plan on adding a supercharger in the future but with the noise issue it is making the car less enjoyable to drive. I appreciate what some of you have said reguarding loving the exhaust note and not listening to the radio etc. But I do love the radio. Thanks for the imput!!!

I think you stepped over the line with the HFC's. From Vids I've heard they make a substantial change in the sound level. I have a Stillen Cat back (which seemed pretty tame) and just added a custom intake (which made it just perfect for me). After reading reports here I'd probably have the same issue as you if I went to the HFC's. I think I'll hold where I am...

I think you're going to have to sacrifice one or the other to get the sound levels where you want them.

Well you can't add exhaust parts and not expect loudness/drone. If you're willing to pay the price, try fitting a custom butterfly valve that closes at low rpm's and opens up when you're driving aggressively. Try header wrapping the HFC too.

I think you are right!!! Sucks to think I will have to sacrifice about 10 or more WHP by putting the cats back on. Is it everyones opinion that the drone will be gone with only the Stillen CBE on the car?
Thanks for all your input...

drone.... hmm. to me, that means you get resonant frequencies in the cabin that amplify the volume of the sound..... kind of like the resonant frequency of a ported speaker box will make more Db than a sealed box. Corvettes and Mustangs with Borla exhausts will do this from 1800-2200 or so rpm. right at your cruising speed, even under light load. This phenominon is kind of a growl that is like an engine soundtrack superimposed over your normal engine soundtrack

I have stillen intake, header, cat and exhaust and don't get that phenomenon.

Now.... could you be referring to what others call rasp? That is a phenomenon where you hear the indivual exhaust pulses without them being pressure equalized through an x-pipe to distribute them over both exhaust pipes or to adequately squelch the noise through a highly effective muffler. That phenomenon gives a "blat, blat, blat" sound and gets louder under more throttle and stay around even as the revs climb. Drone tends to go away as the rpm's rise, where rasp is there all the way to the redline.

I don't really hear rasp with my Stillen setup, but when I took the rear muffler section off, it was more raspy than any exhaust I've ever heard. Maybe you're hearing some rasp?

Drone is only on the highway when you are cruising. Its that constant howling from the exhaust. That does not happen with the Stillen..when i throw it in 6th and cruise I hear nothing but the radio and the damn tire noise.

I believe it is drone. At higher RPM's it disappears into a beautiful racy sound. I don't think it is rasp from what you described. It seems like a amplification of the exhaust due to factors I don't understand inside the cabin. It almost has a pressure feeling to it in the ears. IT is similar to the "drone" I had in Mustangs past at cruising speeds. I think I might be a little more sensitive that others on the post, because I enjoy the GT aspect of this car just as much as the racing side. I just hate to consider taking off one of these awesome parts...

a) give them to me for free
b) just deal with it
c) use those squishy ear plugs when driving
d) none of the above