Yours and similar posts have pretty much convinced me to leave the CATS alone. I think the Stillen is a tad quiet, but is a comfortable system when traveling with no bad characteristics. I'd be kicking myself if I made the change and then did not like it...

"mattkim85" in CA already got pulled over for his being to loud. Check the classifieds.

What about stock exhaust en HFC's? That is the setup I am going for. From the video's DDM posted, it sounds good, not too loud and it should yield nice performance gains.

I must say by reading all the negative posts here, that I'm kind of disappointed. A lot of people (by far the majority) talk about "modding" their cars. With just a little (and I mean a small amount) of research, one can find out loads about what the different mods will accomplish.

I was the same way. Some pointed questions, a little research, and finally... the big decision was made.



Nah, I've decided not to continue. I'll get flamed too hard. :ugh2:

So people..... my experience was to do the Stillen HFC's, CBE, Gen II intake system, and sway bars. I was surprised with the sound's "loudness". Yes, it's not quiet. But the performance gained far out weighs the "inconvenience" of the sound. I really like it. For those of you who are having trouble with the authorities, all I can say is I feel for you. Where I live, there's no such bother when we've got Harley's and the like driving around with what sounds like no exhaust at all.... the 370 sounds as quiet as a Honda Fit.

The HFC's (and the whole exhaust system) "resonate" at different revs. Cold starts are LOUD. Some speeds (read: revs) are uncomfortable (read: droning). But, I took a four day trip with the car and was very surprised at the level of comfort (sound wise). The audio system would generally cover up any exhaust notes when I wanted it to. After that, the rolled-up windows did wonders.

:icon14:

I have the Stillen CBE, HFC, Headers, Gen 3 intake. car sounds like a Z. Cruising at 3000-3500 RPMS, sound is not harsh. Easy having conversations etc. In the hurry-up mode, it has a distinct throaty sound. Course this is comparing to just the Stillen exhaust since I had them install on day 3 of owning the car. Happy driver and local Law types have not stopped me. But this is Live Free or Die country. Or it could be I'm losing my hearing, but who cares.

Hope not :icon17: That was in a very deserted industrial business park on a Sunday, I looked for a place with no cross streets and on a cul-de-sac. Not saying that this is a safe thing to do on the street, but I did put some thought into it.
I've seen others shooting video, and it looks like there right in front of their house in a residential section :eek:
Try and be as safe as possible out there and use discretion. :tup:

I think the Berks sound great, probably not quite as loud as the Stillen/Berk combo.
I've got Nismo/Berk at the moment, and it's a little too mild for me. Sounds great when you get on it, but I don't want to have to drive my car fast all the time to get the enjoyment of the engine growl. On the other hand, I don't want something that is going to drone or attract too much negative attention. Hoping the Berks CBE will be the solution. :tup: I don't want to give up my Berk HFC's they have definitely made the biggest difference in performance gains so far.

I like the loudness under WOT that is why Im going to get Test Pipes when I get Exhaust

I loved the sound of my Borla With APS test pipes, Megan Racing Headers on my 06 350Z


DAN

I thought it was against federal law to removing functioning cats even if they were replaced with other cats.

Same for me... for now, anyways. I ordered the FI CBE with 18" resonators, which I'm thinking will be loud enough for me. If not, maybe I'll add HFCs... but only if I'm sure it won't be obnoxious.

HFC will not make it obnoxiously loud unless you are WOT all the time. If you drive normal speed limit and keep your revs under 3k it's not that loud.

The HFC definitly make the car sound modified and that is what I didnt really want. Its not a bad sound by any means, it just isnt refined like the exhaust note of like a Porche or something. It sounds like a tuner.

Now I would tell anyone who is considering test pipes it will border on the obnoxious loud side and will sound raspy. Even with the HFC's there is a little rasp at WOT but test pipes would amplify this.

OK OK OK.. I did it today! I took off the Berk HFC's!

Oh my God!

I love my car again!!!!!

It sounds about 75% less noisy.
100% less raspy!
100% less drone!
and still has a sporty sound at the upper rpm range.

To be honest, I drove home with a smile on my face the entire drive home from the exhaust shop, and that's the first time that's happened.

If anyone is one the fence on this one. I hope this pushes you in one way.

Good luck to all!

I havent pulled my cats yet and I may not. I just got my car back from the car audio shop and they put 120 sq ft of sound deadning in the car and it is sooo quiet inside. I can't hear the anoying drone anymore. Its a night and day difference not to mention hardly any road noise now.

I can live with HFC now. Without the sound deadning, I was ready to yank them like "John370z"

2Fast, not to get off thread but other than the doors, where did the shop install the material...I'm guessing dynamat??? Fixin to do mine

thanks

mac

Actually I used Rammat. Its not only cheaper but its better. I bought 2 rolls which are 62.5 sqft for about a $100.00 a roll. Plus I bought 6 yards of ensolite foam barrier that is glued to the Rammat.

RAAMaudio

I had it applied double layer in the trunk floor and wheel wells and yes, both doors. It was very well worth it as the car is amazingly quiet inside.

I had the entire interior of the car removed. I am adding pictures of the process on the Audio thread but there are a few there already.