Stillen headers, BERK cats and HiTech system fitted
 

After some research and experimentation though the last 10 days, I now have my extractors and hi-flow metallic substrate cats fitted, with a HiTech system behind it.

We experimented with a mild-steel system, but rapidly came to the conclusion the purchasing a specifically manufactured system was the way to go. Looked at modifying an X-Force 350Z system, but again came to the conclusion that the HiTech system gave us the best "fit" - in fact, it bolted straight into place with an absolute minimum of fuss.

Work was done by Tom Harding at Carline Exhaust in Ballarat - he does a lot of custom hod-rod and race car systems and he has done a beautiful job.

Am taking the Z to the MSCA Philip Island sprint on 30 May to give the car a little spanking - it already knows its way around Sandown. I'll be fitting my DL-1 data logger if I can find an ECU wiring diagram between now and then, otherwise I'll onlly be able to log track position (lateral and longitudinal acceleration), speed from the GPS and brake (take a pickup from the brake light circuit). If I can splice into the ECU, I can log 16 digital channels and 8 analogue - but not sure what use these will be on a digital vehicle).

RB

Congrats mate. Do you have any dyno charts or videos yet?

And how's the drive? and the sound?

Car is improved, but only modestly - certainly accelerates more quickly and the note is now audible (I purchased the quietest of the 3 systems available). It is quite harsh when started from cold as the ECU holds the engine on fast-idle at 1400-1500rpm, but is OK as soon as the temps rise. The system seems to have improved fuel economy .. I am a fairly sedate driver on the highway and regularly average 10l/100klm driving from NE outer suburbs (Warrandyte) into the CBD on Eastern Fwy and back each day, and driving back from Ballarat last weekend netted 9.1 l/100K - which I thought was an interesting outcome.

There is a distinct change in exhaust note above 4000rpm all the way up to 7500rpm when the engine "sings" (a better word is it "wails") - reminiscent of a flat-plane crank V8 sports car I drove many years ago (sounds like two 4-cyl engines joined together). Gave the car a blat going thru the Eastlink tunnel on Saturday that brought a smile or two.

Runing the car up thru the gears, the top-end is noticeably improved - due I guess to better top-end breathing - may be further improved with flat-panel (K&N etc) or maybe pod filter , and may do that in due course.

Have not yet scheduled a run over the rollers ... will do so in the next couple of weeks if I get the chance, but life is very, very busy at present (day job from 07:00-19:00 and weekends taken up with race car prep for Vic State Circuit Race Series). Will post a dyno shootout mode graphic if/when I get it done.

I don't own a cam-corder so a video is problematic (and using a digital camera to grab a clip wont really do the sound justice). If anyone is planning on being at Philip Island on 30th May, I will be there to give the car a spanking, so bring your video camera and we may get somehting that can be posted - but it is a few weeks away.

The real test will be at PI when I can open the car right up - too risky these days to do so on the open road given the state of legislation we have to deal with in Vic at present ....

Was it worth it - absolutely .........

Sounds like the mods are doing awesome. Just wondering with doing CAT,headers, exhaust and POD if the engine would run lean without a tune. I would love to hear your setup in person, not sure about may 30th but i'll try another time when i get my Z (if that's ok with you). BTW did you import the berk cats from US?

Stillen headers and Berk cats imported from ImportPartsPro in Texas. Prompt service via US Post priorty parcel post .. door to door in 5 days. I have some concerns about the ECU throwing an engine check light based on rich-lean codes, but will cross that bridge if and when required. I had to fit an interceptor piggy-back in my STi when I had that, so its a problem that is relatively simple to resolve ...

do you have the website of the hi-tech exhaust?

Go to

HiTech Mufflers

They are located in Sydney but the shop that fitted everything up for me had a system the day after they ordered it ... quite impressed with their level of service actually.

I have had the system instzlled for 1500klics so far and no sign of an ECL at all ... really happy .... now to give the car a spanking at Philip Island at the end of the month !!!

RB

just curious on the price tag...which is cheaper hi-tech cbe or fast intentions cbe?