FI Non res vs resonated CBE
 

Hi gents,

I was hoping to get some info from guys who own the Fast Intention systems before I decide what to get. My issue here is that I'm from South Africa and shipping something here is :wtf: . So a $1000 system will set me back about $1700, or a Motordyne system would be $2600 for me. My initial thought was to get the 12", but then watched YT vids of guys saying the non-res was not bad inside the cabin. Obviously, I would prefer something as loud as possible without giving my interior panels tremors.
My Z Roadster is everyday car. I'm after an increase in power/torque but more so, sound. My commute to work is about 20 mins, and when I drive on weekends it's usually with the top down. The choice between res and non-res for me is purely what happens in the cabin. I really don't wanna have to create more rattles and nasty vibrations, especially in my soft-top. Some of the things I need to know is

1. Do you feel components experience a nasty vibration with non-resonated systems?
2. What's it like speaking to passengers or on the hands-free with the systems?
3. How bad is the drone in the cabin with non-res, 12 an 18?
4. How much of a difference at WOT do these 3 types have?
5. Are there ground clearance issues with the rear mufflers?

Thanks guys :tiphat:

I have the worst case scenario (LTH's and non-res) and don't have any problems with it. There's virtually no drone except for ~2500-3000 RPM's. Also unless you've got you're foot in it, it's not horribly loud inside the cabin.

Sound clip?

I'm also running the F.I. long tubes with CBE, but I have the 18" resonators. I love the way it sounds but am curious as to how much louder the non-res really is.

To the O.P.: If you want sound clips of mine, I have several on my IG: z34nismo Hope that helps you in your decision making.

I used to run non-res test pipes and non res cbe with the carbon fiber mufflers. it's absolute perfection in sound and performance.

now i'm running full FI straight pipes lol the original set-up wasn't loud enough for my taste.

here's you 5 questions for non-res cbe

1. I never got any vibration sounds or feel from the exhaust.

2. talking on the Bluetooth wasn't an issue unless I was deep into the throttle (wide open) and that's normal for pretty much any aftermarket exhaust maybe even stock. didn't have mine stock long enough to remember how that sounded lol

3. non-res is the "worst" in terms of drone but I put 30k miles on my Z with the full nonres/nonres setup and it's not bad. did many 1k miles trips and there is a little but nothing bad whatsoever. 12" res would be less drone and 18" is the least.

the resonator size doesn't change the volume but kills the drone the larger you go.

4. volume for the CBE systems is pretty much the same across the board. the resonators just change drone as stated above.

now if you go test pipes or hfc you will increase volume as well.

5. if you're lowered a good bit and have bad roads you may run the risk of dinging the mufflers. i'm stock height in PA with bad roads and my cans are still unscathed. only chip in the clear coat from a small rock bouncing I guess but its maybe the size of half a pen cap.

any FI product you choose you cant go wrong with. unmatched quality and best customer service in the business.

:tiphat:

sound clips on my YT https://www.youtube.com/user/fpenvy

Toledo Match Tour

I had the GoPro mounted on the front bumper during these videos. Admittedly the sound quality from the GoPro isn't the greatest.

Thanks gomer_110, FPenvy, 12nismo for the detailed responses. Our roads here are also kinda bad so I'll be staying a stock height. I'm guessing the stock resonators are around the 12" mark, so I'll stick with that option. Since I'm going resonated CBE, would it be overkill to go resonated test pipe/HFC?

Thanks to all those chiming in. :tiphat:

OP: All of our cat back exhaust options (non-res, 12", or 18") will sound louder than the factory exhaust system. The difference really is the interior sound level at cruising speed, and the depth of the exhaust note. All of our options will sound very similar (especially the 12" and 18") at wide open throttle.

Our Non-resonated exhaust system is the loudest option in terms of volume inside and outside the car. It is very exotic sounding and slightly higher in pitch because there are no resonators.

12" resonators help to quiet down some of the interior noise without sacrificing much of the exterior volume. The added 12" resonators help produce a slightly deeper and smoother tone. This is a great middle ground exhaust system in terms of sound level.

18" resonators do the best job of cutting out interior noise at cruising speed and under normal driving. They also produce the deepest and smoothest tone. Even though this

Because your car is a soft top, I would recommend choosing one of our resonated exhaust systems.

If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

- Kevin

it really comes down to how much volume and drone you prefer.

the more you open up the system the louder it will be but that's where the power is.

CBE adds good power but dropping the cats is where you unleash a lot of the restriction of the stock exhaust set-up.

adding non-res TP's will give you more volume and a little extra drone obviously since the cats are by you legs in location and you remove those there's some extra drone coming in there.

res TP's will give you the power and lower the drone.

HFCs to me seem pointless unless you live in an area that it wont pass emissions or don't have a guy to get around that part lol

also if you do decide to go FI the muffler choice itself will slightly alter the tone of the exhaust.

SS muffler is a bit deeper sounding

CF muffler is higher pitch, slightly louder, more exotic sounding.

Wow, didn't realise the material of the rear mufflers would make that much of a difference. The CF mufflers are very sexy but would drive up the price for me. Thankfully, the cops here don't really care about emission laws.

$300 more for the CF mufflers.

Just watched a few vids with the CF mufflers. Sooo hawt. I know FPEnvy, but $300 extra is going over for me. If shipping wasn't a killer, I would definitely take CF.

yea could only imagine shipping is not gonna be cheap for you. even as light as the FI exhaust is the size of the packaging bites you too.

and i thought mine was bad being on the east coast of the US and them on the west lol

They are bit pricey

I have the FI CBE with 18" resonators. I love it the sound and get compliments on it. I'm glad I went with the 18"res as I would not want it any louder in the cabin than it is. The 370Z is a noisy car to begin with.

FI CBE exhaust non-resonated here with stock cats. It sounds excellent with the SS mufflers. Drone is not bad at 3K rpm. Exhaust note is not an issue talking on the phone. The car is just noisy by nature. Get on it, and it will scream a beautiful sound in the upper rpms.

I'm now watching a lot of 12" and 18" resonator vids on YT. Some people are swearing by the 18", but the interior noise is too close call between the two. The only thing that's bugging me is how low those rear mufflers sit. I actually paused and took a screenshot to compare it with the stock system. The last thing I would want is to bang them up on a speed bump or getting off the road into the office driveway. As it is, that black f/bumper guard touches abit if I don't enter at a wide enough angle. Still stock height, not planning on lowering.

I found this pic on the forum.

http://www.the370z.com/attachments/i...s-img_2356.jpg

That phone is 4.2 inches high (Blackberry Pearl). So i'm guessing the lowest point of the exhaust system is 4.5 inches high (11.5 centimeters). Can anyone confirm this?

The lowest point (Where the phone is in the picture) is as low as the stock exhaust system is at its lowest.

If you need any certain pics/vids let me know, I am in the process of compiling all the ones I have taken (I have FI Nonres CF).

The more the merrier, please do TaroBaapG35. thanks

nonres/nonres CF



nonres/nonres interior full throttle windows up



fast intentions straight pipes



FI straight again better sound.



exhaust comp FI straight

Not to someone that doesn't want unburnt fuel smell in their cab. I don't have a CAT anywhere in the system and my car smells like an outboard motor:rofl2:

OP. I love my non-res FI exhaust. No drone what so ever but I also have a turbo acting as a hell of a muffler.

mine only smells on the inside if the ac is on without recirc and at a stop for awhile.

that or windows down at a long red light but it's not bad.

personally I enjoy it :yum:

FPEnvy, that 3:07 video was one of the first I watched when I started looking at CBE systems, I thought you did an engine swop at first:rofl2:

I've decided on resonated. Just matter of 12 vs 18. It's a $30 difference, so that's fine. Was seriously considering the 18, because people say that it's close to stock on the interior but I do want more volume when I drop the hammer. decisions decisions...

no engine swap just exhaust swap lol

if you want the least drone and interior noise then go 18"

me I could care less about it. its a sports car and should sound like one to me lol :yum:

I don't mind a little drone. For my eargasms, i welcome it. But if it starts causing more stuff to rattle, squeak, creak. Especially in that soft top, then I'll go 18". Wonder if there was ever a poll done 12" vs 18"?

Honestly. It all depends on how sensitive your ears are along with how much "noise" you're looking for in terms of Exhaust sounds. When I bought the NR CF i had only heard a 12" Res + NR HFC in person, and I couldnt stand the added "hiss". And it was a DEEP sound. I would say 12" is the perfect midpoint for Loud (when on throttle) and quiet when cruising. Just know in colder temps (50Fs and lower + cold starts) will be even louder.

I'll post a vid from inside the car later tonight (again it'll be NR CF).

CF = Higher pitch 3K Rpms+
SS = Deep = Entire Rev Band

So I tried, something new to compare the sound difference from stock and other exhaust systems. I recorded my car on hard pulls, cold starts, warm starts, normal driving just to hear what it sounds like after being recorded. Then comparing those sounds to the YT vids helps me better understand the difference. I mailed Kevin @ FI. Just waiting his response.

It's really hard to judge audio differences from a vid. All I can attest to is that it sounds plenty loud (in a good way) with the 18" resonators. If you want it as loud as possible, then go with non-resonated or 12". I was leery of anything less than 18" because I wanted to minimize the likelihood of buyer's remorse. I was looking for better sound (wanted to get rid of the vacuum-cleaner-with-a-clogged-hose stock sound) not necessarily louder. That said, it is plenty louder than stock even with 18's and sounds like a beast. I doubt I would want any louder. So, it really depends on what you're trying to accomplish.

The cans sure look lower than stock, but I think its an illusion. I go over speed bumps very slowly and try not to drive too fast on a rough road where you can bounce around and bottom out. These cars look really cool lowered, but my nerves could never stand it. To many uneven roads in my area.

ReeceZ, I just posted 3 videos on YouTube that can help you decipher the difference between stock exhaust and non-res SS. Hope they help:

https://youtu.be/aqCcQr1de00

https://youtu.be/aRPAybRLqcw

https://youtu.be/jHbmchjb9so

I'm running the LTH's, 12" resonators, and CBE. There is a slight drone between 2500 to 3000 rpm. In the video. I have the mike taped between the exhaust tips.

You can really here that hiss!

I have nonres with BP kit like Jwick. I honestly think the car is too loud. Ity sound really nice but loud. I kind of want to hear a 12" or 18" in person. Hell, I'm even willing to swap the X pipe with someone for a week just to hear the difference.

YzGyz

Thanks matt.:tiphat: Rusty, the link says the video doesn't exist.

Anyway, I just sorting out some details with Kevin at FI. He's advised that I go 18" resonators, which I am. Just going to find out how much it would cost exactly to get the system out when it reaches me, Customs can be a pain and apparently they open all boxes to check the contents, and charge a tax on it. A mate was charge an extra 20% of the cost of a body kit before they released it to him. Just getting my facts before I place my order. Hopefully, it's as reasonable as Kevin approximates. If not, I'm emigrating to the US.:p

so I put my mufflers back on Monday night due to state inspection Tuesday.

car sounds like it grew a vagina overnight. idk how I went as long as I did with mufflers.

OP don't go res. my nonres TP and CBE sounds so weak compared to my straight pipes. lol

The video may be blocked for your country. I've had that happen to a couple videos of mine. :shakes head:

:icon18::icon18::icon18::icon18:

Is this how they all sound?

It sounds mean, but it sounds mean with an O-ring/exhaust leak somewhere, or a flex pipe caused sound? Or is this because of where the MIC was installed?

Please advise...

The hiss comes from removing the stock catalytic converters. The sound is always there, but it's normally muffled by the stock cats. When removed (with long tube headers, test pipes, or sometimes with high-flow cats), the hiss becomes much louder.

There is no leaks in that exhaust. ;)