Without further hesitation, here is my review of the infamous F.I. TDX catback exhaust system:
So, I have been wanting to change out the stock exhaust since I bought the car back in June. I finally got around to doing so during the late summer, but I didn't know what options to choose (i.e., 12" resonators / 18" resonators / no resonators, HFC?, CF option), so I emailed Tony and got my first taste of great customer service. He let me know all of my options and suggested what he thought I would be happiest with, all without trying to take advantage of my wallet. I wound up getting the 18" resonators/non-CF option and HFCs.
I received my exhaust system about a month later (due to the huge demand for this incredible exhaust). I unwrapped it from the massive amounts of bubble wrap, and to my dismay it had arrived damaged courtesy of UPS (see below pics).
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1257821829
I called Tony right away and, long story short, he started building me a new exhaust right away after I sent back the damaged one. He was available every time I called to ask him any question I may have had or to voice my concern about any step along the way. Even though UPS denied the damage claim, I received my new (undamaged) system less than TWO weeks later!! Now, that is what I call
great customer service!
I had the system installed this past Thursday, which took about 2 hours total. Once installed, the tech started the car and boy oh boy did it rev to life!!! I couldn't contain my excitement and I was grinning from ear to ear like the Grinch on Christmas Day! When other guys say videos don't do the tone of the exhaust justice, let me tell you that they aren't kidding. The tone is SOOO deep and exotic that it still gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. Note: I dynoed the car before and after for the entertainment and curiosity of those performance buffs out there.
Keep in mind that I already had the Stillen G3 intakes installed PRIOR to the "before" dyno! I won't continue to ramble on about my personal story, so below you'll find my review summary along with some pics for your visual pleasure. However, I, unfortunately, don't have a video camera so no videos are included. Please don't hesitate to PM me with any questions/comments/suggestions!!
Looks/Quality: (10/10) The welds on every piece were meticulously done, and the quality of steel is superb. The cans and resonators are super smooth and shiny. I even took the time to look for fingerprints and could find none whatsoever!
Fitment: (9/10) There were no fitment issues between F.I./F.I. pieces or F.I./stock pieces. But after the installation, the left tip was not perfectly aligned so it had to be adjusted. A small 5-minute setback; nothing to complain about.
Sound: (10/10) This thing is incredible. For those who've seen/heard every video related to this exhaust absolutely cannot appreciate the superior tone it offers. It is very deep, throaty, and has no hint of "rice" at all. As expected, the HFCs do present with a noticeable hiss upon deceleration between 2-3K RPMs. The exhaust note is fairly quiet when cruising, but roars to life upon moderate-heavy acceleration. The sound is sexy as hell and EXOTIC EXOTIC EXOTIC!!!!!
Performance: (10/10) WOW! You don't realize how restricted a sports car really is until you take those restrictions away. The car pushed hard before upon heavy acceleration, but now it truly hauls ***! Together with the intakes, HFCs and exhaust, I can definitely tell the car can breathe freely and put its power to the wheels. (See dyno results below for further info)
Practicality: (8/10) The cans do ride pretty low to the ground, but I don't see a time when they would scrape unless one forgets to be careful. Originally, I was going to get the straight X-pipe, but Tony talked me out of it especially since I've got a 7AT. I am glad he did. The exhaust with 18" resonators is PLENTY loud, and I'm only a 25-year-old guy. I like loud, but any louder would surely get old very quickly. And for those complaining of the high-pitched sound coming from the ECU (myself included), this exhaust takes care of it! There is a slight drone during cruising under moderate load. With light or no load, however, (i.e., coasting) there is no drone at all. This car is my daily driver and I know I will not tire of hearing the exhaust note on a daily basis. In fact, since the installation last Thursday, I've been driving in manual mode ~80% of the time.
For those still debating on which exhaust system to buy, I strongly urge you to go with this system. Tony really is the best guy you will come across in terms of receiving spectacular customer service. He will go above and beyond to ensure you, the customer, are 110% satisfied. And I promise you that you will not find a better bang for your buck than this system right here.
Again, let me know if you've got any questions/comments. Until next time!
Eric
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1257824354
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