Fast Intentions Cat-Back & HF Cats Review
 

I got my Fast Intentions exhaust and F.I. high-flow cats installed last Friday, and all I can say is....WOW....this car sounds so amazing now! No more muffled Nissan exhaust, just a pure exotic performance sound. Since I was getting the F.I. high-flow cats, I opted for the 18" resonators on the exhaust. I also got the carbon fiber mufflers, which I think look absolutely awesome on the 370Z. Overall, I give this exhaust a 9.5/10. Here is how I broke it down:

Performance: 10/10. My butt dyno confirmed the advertised gains of about 20whp. There was a noticeable gain in acceleration, especially at the top end. What's more, throttle response seems to have increased as well. For example, in first gear at about 3000 RPMs, if I slam on the gas it will immediately start accelerating (no lag) and spin the tires. Before these modifications, it was very rare I could get this to happen; I would have to be partially turning or the pavement would have to be slick. Of course, the HF cats also affect the performance, but I believe the exhaust is probably mostly responsible for the gains.

Looks: 10/10. Originally, I wanted burnt titanium tips, but these carbon fiber mufflers look much better and are much more original IMO. I love the mesh on the inside of the exhaust tips as well. Also, this is one of the only exhausts I've seen that DOESN'T have the muffler's pointing sideways. In addition to giving a more aggressive appearance, I have a feeling it might help to produce more power gains as well.

Sound: 9/10. Driving around town, this exhaust (with HF cats) gives off a deep, exotic tone that will definitely turn heads. The Rev Match throttle blip also sounds amazingly cool now. However, at cruising speed (on the highway) there is unfortunately some drone. It is not too much, and it is most noticeable between 2.5K and 3K RPMs. After I did some research on this subject, it seems this is almost unavoidable with this VQ37VHR engine on the 370Z and the G37. These engines also emit as soft "hissing" noise when you back off the throttle at low RPMs. I noticed this with my stock exhaust, and it is now a bit louder, but I actually think it sounds cool. Overall, the exhaust and HF cats have made my 370 quite a bit louder than stock, especially under high engine load (like when you are in 6th gear at a low rpm and floor it). I might have sensitive ears though, because I also consider my stock tires to be pretty loud at times. Also, PLEASE KEEP IN MIND I have the Fast Intentions high-flow cats and Carbon Fiber mufflers as well, so it is possible the non-CF Fast Intentions exhaust without HF cats may not be loud at all (although Tony said he thought the CF mufflers did not sound louder than the normal version when he drove my car).

Fitment: 10/10. Tony did the install and everything fit PERFECTLY. He did a very meticulous job and I was overall very impressed with the quality of the Fast Intentions products. No leaks or weird sounds coming from the HF cats or exhaust. Also, I have not had ANY problems with the bottom tips of the mufflers scraping on anything (as Tony said, when you go over a bump, the bottom of the mufflers will clear the bump before your tires go all the way down, so there should be no scraping at all).


http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/w...1/CIMG0692.jpg

http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/w...1/CIMG0693.jpg

http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/w...1/CIMG0694.jpg

http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/w...1/CIMG0695.jpg

^Sorry for the not-so-good pics. I just took them quickly because I wanted to get this review posted as soon as possible.

looks great!! any vids of it

Nice detailed review, another satisfied customer always makes the job worth it. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask...

Thank you, Tony

Tony, do you think this i due to the HFC. I'm not looking at getting the HFC and still going with the 18" resonators, As I want it quiet in the cabin

Thanks

Stunning. Looks clean and OEM.

Congrats

Yes, the HFC's will always attribute to more cabin noise. If you go with the 18" resonators and keep the stock cats it will be what YOU are looking for!

What is your current ride height?? Is that stock or lowered?
Thanks

looks stock height

Man I can't wait to hear them.

That is a excellent review definitely to the point!! I am going to probably go with stock cats and the CF muffler on one hand I want as much HP as possible since I'm in Germany I will be seeing alot of Caymans and 135's.

Question
Is that advertised 20whp increase just for the exhaust or the combination of HFC's and Exhaust?

I know this exhaust frees up more restriction than the other aftermarket exhausts so the HFC gain is minimal.

great review. i think this will be the setup i want. you get a rep for your z's color!

what is the difference between the 12" and 18" resonators? noise? HP?

Thanks so much for that review also. It just makes waiting that much harder aarrgghh. Also thank you on those pics, it's great to see the CF's on a car. Mainly so i can get an idea of what they will really look like on mine when it arrives.

Tony and others have stated before that it's just for Sound/Volume purposes.

Stock Cats detrack how much HP?
 

How much does the Stock Cats restrict the HP and Torque, say compared to HFC's? I would prefer a little bit more exotic sound than stock, but not riced out or too much drone in the cabin.

Those CF mufflers certainly look great.

I believe the stock cats are quite restrictive. With the Fast Intentions CBE, adding the high flow cats only get you about 4whp more at the top end, but down low they give you a ton of torque gains. Also, with an intake or a tune, the HF cats will probably also yield a lot more gains.

The nice thing about the F.I. high-flow cats is they have a u-bend style non-fouler, and I have not had any check engine lights in over 200 miles of driving. Also, my highly subjective smog test (a.k.a. my nose) says that the cats are doing as good of a job as the stock ones in terms of emissions. I detect no smells or smoke at all coming from the vehicle.

Also, as far as droning, it is really not that bad. I think it just took me a little bit to get used to the sound of a more aggressive exhaust system.

The hissing noise when letting off the throttle is quite entertaining, but sometimes reminds me of a person with nasal issues when talking :-)

The exhaust sound is intimidating especially with SRM active. Yesterday some "ricer" kept chasing my tail and revving at me as I was exiting. Freeway traffic was quite congested due to construction, so I found myself down shifting and hard braking quite a bit. So I guess someone got fidgety and kept tail gating while revving at me.

thats some good stuff drisko :yum:

+1 to you :tup:

Thanks for the review! I can't wait for mine.

That SRM attracts everybody. I find myself everyday getting rev'd at, and I just shake my head. Everybody thinks I am trying to start a race. Get used to it..

I love SRM down shifts, makes me feel like a racer!

Perhaps one of you could explain why or how an "SRM downshift" would sound any different than a standard, properly-executed downshift sans SRM?

I am not saying that the SRM downshift sounds any different from a heel toe. People just think I am starting a race when I am mearly downshifting.

coudlnt explain to you cuz i cant properly execute a downshift

YAY!
YouTube - Gary Sheehan Subaru WRX Heel Toe

prob the best explanation and visual of double clutching which poor vin diesel in the first fast and furious said it was for upshifting lol @ him and the director
YouTube - How To Double Clutch

It's the exhaust :driving: I always rev match and downshift. Since the 350Z I never had an aftermarket exhaust. I've only had the TDX with 12" resonators for a couple of weeks with the 370Z... definitely intimidating in a tasteful way. Not much to complain... just makes SRM much more fun.

It does sound real cool but at times you want to shut it off and it is nice that you can. This way cops won't think you are revving on them!

My feet are to damn big :mad:

haha and thats why god gave us the 370z srm

I used to heal toe all the time, now that SRM came out, I don't anymore. There goes my heal to skills.

I know this is a lil off-topic...but it says you are waiting for 18" resonators in your sig..are the 12" ones too loud with the berks? Im just wondering because I love loudness and was not fond of the deepness for the 18" resonators..but that could change due to HFC's

thanks for the review

we need to see video clip for your Z with catback

wow the CF is really really nice :D

great review..mismatched splash guards just like mine haha