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Trying to quiet my exhaust down, I currently have berk resonated test pipes and a custom CBE. I've been trying to sift through reviews on all the HFC's and can't make up my mind. I'd keep the test pipes but even if I got the Invidia q300 it would most likely drone and sound raspy. From what I heard, "cheap" is the best I can describe that setup's sound.
HFC all have some issue whether it's no support hanger, rasp, gaskets, weld failures and resonator issues. I'm looking to keep a bit of performance since I'm tuned (I'll get a retune) but also keep my CEL off so I can pass inspection. This has been hit or miss as some people experience CEL's, others do not. Also having trouble looking for an exhaust that won't drone. I really want to get the ark because it's the only full exhaust I can find that fits the AWD sedan with helmholtz resonators at the mufflers, which I really like the sound of, but test pipes seem to fight this perk. Maybe Fast intentions RHFC and the ARK would be a decent setup if they don't break or sag too much. Supposedly they're lighter than the stock cats, but I personally wouldn't weld supports to cats in fear of hurting the material inside. Also looking to minimize decel hiss the best I can which is why I liked Ark's setup so much.
I also like the Invidia q300 but I've heard a few weird examples of rubbing and rattling that I've already experienced with my own exhaust multiple times. It sounds great with stock cats, but everything else sounds again, "cheap" or raspy.
For HFC, I've been looking into Berk, Fast Intentions Resonated, and Kinetix. It's like choosing the lesser evil, do you want rasp or some sort of gasket/weld failure..
Has anyone found a quiet Ark setup? I'm a sucker for the rear chambers that's for sure.
FWIW I've had FI HFC + FI Exhaust on my old G37xS and Berk HFC + FI Exhaust on my current 6MT G35S. Both setups sound great with nearly no drone (FI HFC/Exhaust combo would slightly drone at 3.5K-4K, current setup has none). I didn't have a CEL with the double FI combo, but my current one will trip it (currently clearing with an OBD2 scanner every 50ish miles until I stop being lazy and tune).
Helmholtz setups sound great, but both Ark and Motordyne tend to sit a little lower which is a consideration if you're lowered. With any sort of mods to the cats, you're going to get the decel hiss (but HFC will be worlds better than test pipes). Only way to truly avoid that is to put the cats back in and run a quality catback exhaust.
One more to consider is AAM - I've had a set of AAM resonated high flow cats on my car for over a year and am happy with the sound. Minimal drone and rasp is almost non-existent. Think more of a throaty exotic sound, opened up a bit. The welds weren't fully back purged to my liking on one of the cats but past that the quality is top-notch with no issues so far. They were using Gesi catalytic converters when I got mine, not sure if they are still using them in their HFC's, but Gesi is the one of the best cat manufacturers. When I ordered mine over the phone with AAM I asked for a setup that would hold power for a supercharger though, so I'm not sure if the Gesi cats are standard or if I got lucky.
Can't comment on any CEL's since I'm tuned via ECUTek, but looks like it won't throw any codes from the O2 bung design/length. They do say this though on the product page on their website so YMMV - "J-Bend style 02 sensor bung designed to keep the CEL (Check Engine Light) off. note: in rare instances ECU tuning may be required to keep the check engine light off"
Probably the Kinetix HFC. They use ceramic cells to help prevent a CEL.
They also have the center bracket mounts and are full stainless steel construction, whereas units like the FI use mild steel flanges (which are plated) which is honestly cheap considering how much they cost.
One more to consider is AAM - I've had a set of AAM resonated high flow cats on my car for over a year and am happy with the sound. Minimal drone and rasp is almost non-existent. Think more of a throaty exotic sound, opened up a bit. The welds weren't fully back purged to my liking on one of the cats but past that the quality is top-notch with no issues so far. They were using Gesi catalytic converters when I got mine, not sure if they are still using them in their HFC's, but Gesi is the one of the best cat manufacturers. When I ordered mine over the phone with AAM I asked for a setup that would hold power for a supercharger though, so I'm not sure if the Gesi cats are standard or if I got lucky.
Can't comment on any CEL's since I'm tuned via ECUTek, but looks like it won't throw any codes from the O2 bung design/length. They do say this though on the product page on their website so YMMV - "J-Bend style 02 sensor bung designed to keep the CEL (Check Engine Light) off. note: in rare instances ECU tuning may be required to keep the check engine light off"
Sore subject at the moment, my AAM Competition test pipes actually blew apart at the flange and left me sounding like a tractor for a few weeks. They took days to reply to my emails ignoring some replies, and ignored when I asked if they would send me a return slip to cover shipping. However they were nice enough to say no matter what caused it, I should be compensated in some way, but for AAM this will probably mean new pipes or a store credit. Which they offered when I tried canceling my order before it shipped because I found them locally for cheaper, when in reality they were already shipped and they never told me..
I like the quality and everyone who worked on my car when I had them said they looked good, even had no CEL! I’ll have to see what they end up giving me in return for my broken pipes.
Sore subject at the moment, my AAM Competition test pipes actually blew apart at the flange and left me sounding like a tractor for a few weeks. They took days to reply to my emails ignoring some replies, and ignored when I asked if they would send me a return slip to cover shipping. However they were nice enough to say no matter what caused it, I should be compensated in some way, but for AAM this will probably mean new pipes or a store credit. Which they offered when I tried canceling my order before it shipped because I found them locally for cheaper, when in reality they were already shipped and they never told me..
I like the quality and everyone who worked on my car when I had them said they looked good, even had no CEL! I’ll have to see what they end up giving me in return for my broken pipes.
That's not good to hear, sorry for you! Making me nervous now, I'll have to check on mine. I have heard AAM is hit or miss with their support...I read a good bit about it from other forum members over at the370z. I had good luck with calling them, at least worked out for me when I placed my order and they didn't screw anything up.
One thing I've noticed with a lot of these aftermarket exhaust setups, particularly in the y/h/x pipe area, there are NO flex portions in the exhausts. My HKS Hi-power h-pipe included. So unless the engine has solid engine mounts, one would think that overtime the flex of the engine and exhaust with the HFCs or test pipes will flex enough to eventually crack or break those flanges off. It's too much stress on the welds. Urethane mounts might still have enough play to cause the flanges to break overtime also. My car has Z1 urethane engine mounts (installed at the same time as my AAM RHFC's), so I guess I'll find out over time.
Speaking of HFC, has anyone seen the “new” Kinetix HFC? After looking at their website many times over the past month or two, I noticed they claim “new and improved” as well as Z1 also stating easier install clearance and long term reliability. I wonder what’s different side by side, hopefully still the same as others have said here. Apparently also 49 state compliant, so I guess any shop would be able to install them with no hassle? I know my local shop doesn’t care but my tuner wouldn’t install them if they weren’t legal. Interested to see a new review of some sorts.
I also have the AAM resonated HFC's and they've been good for 3 years now.
AAM looks really good but doesn't state any specifications on theirs. And for $600 I could easily justify any other brand. Still debating on Kinetix, they seem like the only brand with no rasp.
AAM looks really good but doesn't state any specifications on theirs. And for $600 I could easily justify any other brand. Still debating on Kinetix, they seem like the only brand with no rasp.
I have an email from AAM that states they use 200 cell count cats and the diameter is 2.5", but that is from 2019 and I don't know if they still use the same supplier for their cats now. I do remember Kinetix being a nice alternative when I was researching HFCs, but they don't make a resonated version that I'm aware of.
I have an email from AAM that states they use 200 cell count cats and the diameter is 2.5", but that is from 2019 and I don't know if they still use the same supplier for their cats now. I do remember Kinetix being a nice alternative when I was researching HFCs, but they don't make a resonated version that I'm aware of.
At this point, I’m just looking for a set of HFC with the OEM hangers that don’t introduce rasp. I think berk HFC have hangers but they’re more on the aggressive side.
oh damn
