reducing drone

imag · 11-27-2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

I have been the most vocal about it and have caught a lot of flack for it from many of the FI guys. Oh well... just trying to help the community.

Anyways, Modshack, that's what I did... a coating of damplifier topped with Luxury Liner Pro in the hatch. It made a small difference but I'd need to do the entire car to be most effective. I did get rid of some hatch rattles, though, so that was nice.

Look at it this way - you're making those of us who went with Stillen feel better about it

Matt · 11-27-2009, 04:30 PM

My fear with Stillen, and potentially the future Berk CBE, is that it won't be loud enough. If I have to deal with a little drone to get the tone of the FI, so be it.

How aggressive is the stillen? From the look of the muffler design, I wouldn't guess it's too loud at all, just a little throatier than stock.

I'm looking hard at FI and Berk right now.

Matt · 11-27-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

My fear with Stillen, and potentially the future Berk CBE, is that it won't be loud enough. If I have to deal with a little drone to get the tone of the FI, so be it.

How aggressive is the stillen? From the look of the muffler design, I wouldn't guess it's too loud at all, just a little throatier than stock.

I'm looking hard at FI and Berk right now.

m4a1mustang · 11-27-2009, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

I think the Stillen CBE alone sounds good, but if you throw HFCs on it really sounds like crap. Some CBEs get very raspy when you add HFCs and the Stillen is one of those.

spearfish25 · 11-27-2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

I think the Stillen CBE alone sounds good, but if you throw HFCs on it really sounds like crap. Some CBEs get very raspy when you add HFCs and the Stillen is one of those.

Hmmm, interesting. Did you have the Stillen with HFCs or just heard someone else's? Video or in person?

Most Stillen CBE owners on here have the HFCs as well. They seem to really like it, but again this could be owner-bias.

When I put the Stillen CBE on my car (No HFCs), the sound was noticeably louder and really a nice improvement. Having had it on the car for about 2-3 months now, I think I can go for another step up in loudness. There is ZERO drone with the Stillen CBE alone. I was going to add HFCs sometime in the next few months. However, I'm curious about this comment from M4A1. His review of the FI exhaust was an important part of my decision to go with the Stillen exhaust (and so far so good...I'm happy).

As for people giving M4A1 a hard time for saying the FI has some 2k drone...more and more people are admitting the same finding. Also, come on guys, we're above ragging on someone for sharing their opinion. Don't hate the player, hate the drone.

m4a1mustang · 11-27-2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Hmmm, interesting. Did you have the Stillen with HFCs or just heard someone else's? Video or in person?

Most Stillen CBE owners on here have the HFCs as well. They seem to really like it, but again this could be owner-bias.

When I put the Stillen CBE on my car (No HFCs), the sound was noticeably louder and really a nice improvement. Having had it on the car for about 2-3 months now, I think I can go for another step up in loudness. There is ZERO drone with the Stillen CBE alone. I was going to add HFCs sometime in the next few months. However, I'm curious about this comment from M4A1. His review of the FI exhaust was an important part of my decision to go with the Stillen exhaust (and so far so good...I'm happy).

As for people giving M4A1 a hard time for saying the FI has some 2k drone...more and more people are admitting the same finding. Also, come on guys, we're above ragging on someone for sharing their opinion. Don't hate the player, hate the drone.

Video and in person.

But yeah... I have gotten a bad rap for that, even though I have expressly stated many times it's not that bad and I don't regret my choice one bit. Pisses me off! I just share my experience to the best of my ability and hope that it helps people make an informed decision.

F.I. Inc. · 11-27-2009, 10:20 PM

Ok I would like to chime in on this. I have read through every reply here and would like to offer my input.

There are many factors to take in to account when designing a system.

-Sound
-Weight
-PERFORMANCE
-Aesthetics

Now me personally I do not feel that the drone at 2000-2400 RPM's is obtrusive. Again, this is me and sound is subjective. We are not in the business of putting a system out there just to put it out there, like some of our competitors who I will not name. If I felt the drone was overwhelming I would of made changes to compensate. I hear some comment on other systems and say they have no drone. Well, look at the design, some have suitcase mufflers which are horrible for performance and weigh a ton. Who wants to put an aftermarket system on their car that weighs 10-20 pounds over stock. Others have to compensate with giant silencers which divert the exhaust flow and again, affect performance and look like scuba tanks hanging off of your car.
To date we have sold 60 cat back exhaust systems and over 50 of them are installed. I can count on less than one hand how many people are either bothered or somewhat bothered by the drone. I have spoke to some of them on my own and they tell me that they would do it all over again knowing what they know now. I hear the same thing, there is some drone at 2000-2400ish but the sound is incredible.

"Is is so deep and smooth under acceleration and I just love it Tony".

-We are a minimum of 10 pounds lighter than stock.
-We picked up and average of over 20 RWH over stock.
-The exhaust looks aggressive yet classy.
-You will not find better customer service and I will stand behind that and my business until the end!!!
-To date: naturally aspirated we have higher gains over stock than any other 2.5" system on the market. And like I always say, put this system in a force inducted application, we will decimate any other 2.5" system in sound and performance.

The bottom line is, overall we feel that we have designed a system that brings the best qualities out of this wonderful car. In the end if the only major complaint is the drone that some feel they get, I will take it any day of the week.

If anyone has any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. I always have an open door policy...

Thank you, Tony

Zsteve · 11-27-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imag

Look at it this way - you're making those of us who went with Stillen feel better about it

So Stillen doesnt drone any?

imag · 11-27-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zsteve

So Stillen doesnt drone any?

Not that I can tell. It sounds better, but noticeably louder, at low RPMs.

Modshack · 11-27-2009, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zsteve

So Stillen doesnt drone any?

No drone from the Stillen..

m4a1mustang · 11-27-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imag

Look at it this way - you're making those of us who went with Stillen feel better about it

That's fine. I just make sure to be honest when giving feedback. I love the sound of my FI CBE and don't regret getting it. Yes, there is some drone at 2k but the benefit far outweighs the cost. I have heard the Stillen setup and some others and they all sound raspy to me... the only one with absolutely ZERO rasp is FI... it puts the others to shame, IMO.

If you like it, that's great. That's all that matters.

I can't count how many times I have said how much I like this exhaust, yet people continue to rag on me for talking about drone. It's ridiculous and plain childish!

11-27-2009, 04:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Matt A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Augusta, GA Age: 42 Posts: 1,680 Drives: 2010 Avalanche LT Rep Power: 19	My fear with Stillen, and potentially the future Berk CBE, is that it won't be loud enough. If I have to deal with a little drone to get the tone of the FI, so be it. How aggressive is the stillen? From the look of the muffler design, I wouldn't guess it's too loud at all, just a little throatier than stock. I'm looking hard at FI and Berk right now. __________________ "Any man who can drive a 370z while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the Z the attention it deserves." Albert Einstein....modified.

11-27-2009, 10:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
F.I. Inc. The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 2,989 Drives: 2010 GT-R/2007 F-250 Rep Power: 686	Ok I would like to chime in on this. I have read through every reply here and would like to offer my input. There are many factors to take in to account when designing a system. -Sound -Weight -PERFORMANCE -Aesthetics Now me personally I do not feel that the drone at 2000-2400 RPM's is obtrusive. Again, this is me and sound is subjective. We are not in the business of putting a system out there just to put it out there, like some of our competitors who I will not name. If I felt the drone was overwhelming I would of made changes to compensate. I hear some comment on other systems and say they have no drone. Well, look at the design, some have suitcase mufflers which are horrible for performance and weigh a ton. Who wants to put an aftermarket system on their car that weighs 10-20 pounds over stock. Others have to compensate with giant silencers which divert the exhaust flow and again, affect performance and look like scuba tanks hanging off of your car. To date we have sold 60 cat back exhaust systems and over 50 of them are installed. I can count on less than one hand how many people are either bothered or somewhat bothered by the drone. I have spoke to some of them on my own and they tell me that they would do it all over again knowing what they know now. I hear the same thing, there is some drone at 2000-2400ish but the sound is incredible. "Is is so deep and smooth under acceleration and I just love it Tony". -We are a minimum of 10 pounds lighter than stock. -We picked up and average of over 20 RWH over stock. -The exhaust looks aggressive yet classy. -You will not find better customer service and I will stand behind that and my business until the end!!! -To date: naturally aspirated we have higher gains over stock than any other 2.5" system on the market. And like I always say, put this system in a force inducted application, we will decimate any other 2.5" system in sound and performance. The bottom line is, overall we feel that we have designed a system that brings the best qualities out of this wonderful car. In the end if the only major complaint is the drone that some feel they get, I will take it any day of the week. If anyone has any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. I always have an open door policy... Thank you, Tony __________________ *Follow us on Facebook: Fast Intentions Inc.* Phone: (805) 522-FAST (3278) Email: tony@fastintentions.com www.fastintentions.com "FUELED BY PASSION"