Anyone with HFC or Test Pipe regrets?
 

Guys…
I alreaedy have an Invidia Gemini exhaust and am weighing in the pros / cons of the HFC or test pipes. Berk will probably be the product I select. I have a Stillen G3 (Christmas present :happydance: ) waiting to be put on and I am trying to convince my self to get the HFC and install them at the same time. I think I am pretty much sold on the idea of a HFC but just looking for some additional peer pressure to make the purchase.


I am a little concerned with the hiss sound. Is it really a big annoyance or not? A simple Yay or Nay would be appretiated.

What about exhaust smell? Is that only an issue with test pipes or does smell increase with HFC? How bad is it with the test pipes?

I am just looking for the feedback on weather people have regrets or was it totally worth it dispite the hiss or smell? Did anyone take off there HFC/test pipes desite of these things?

I remember with my STi, a HFC was nessessary to get a PROPER tune. Now I know the Sti with the turbo is different than the VQ37 but would you say that the tuning potential is much better with the HFC or test pipes?

I've noticed an awful lot of guys taking off HFC's or test pipes shortly after install.. Hang around the "For Sale" area and they pop up all the time. The major factor seems to be noise (loud), in conjunction with a CBE..

I have Berk Test Pipe installed on my Z for about 5 months now, and I love them. I love the raw exhaust note they make and I noticed a small HP gain. The test pipe does make the exhaust a little louder but at speed my wife and I are able to have conversations while speaking in a normal voice. The only thing I recommend is doing the non-fouler method while installed the test pipe, for preventing the SES light from coming on. Its really easy and there is a post about it in the DIY section.

I have the Gemini too, with the Berk HFC's. I put them both on at the same time so I don't what it's like with only the exhaust, but I love the sound/power as it is. this is coming from an old guy who is not a ricer in the least. the hiss is no big deal at all to me.

Only thing with the test pipes is the smell gets annoying at points....you do get used to it though.

I have Crawford HFC's and I do not regret getting them. The exhaust smell isn't bad at all, I only really notice it on start up while the car is not moving. I have the HKS exhaust, it did make it about 30% louder, and giving it a more throaty sound. And I like the extra top end power. IMO I don't like the way test pipes make exhaust sound unless you get resonated ones. It makes it sound raspy.

Thx vortrex - I mean the gemini is more conservative than some of the other exhaust out there so I was thinking that the sounds wouldnt be too bad.

Good to hear the hiss is no big deal.

With just the CBE..I can cruise around town at like 35-55 is 6 gear and hear very little if no exhaust sound. Is it the same way with the CBE an HFC?

Never heard of Crawford HFC's...where you pick those up at?

Go to the main page and scroll down. Theres tons of sponsors

Test Pipes leave residue all over your bumper, I love the sound/performance, but I am taking Scratch X to my rear bumper once every two weeks to elimate the brown/yellow tint it leaves on my bumper. Im shocked no one ever complains about this..

It does make some rasp but it sounds great imo... I think once i couple it with the stillen exhaust the rasp will go away, just as it did in my old 03 g35 coupe with the greddy evo2 i had on it... not a touch of rasp with the greddy but with stock exhaust there was a ton...

but yes one thing I resent, not regret, is cleaning my rear bumper way more than I should have to, esp with a scratch remover because the brownish tint doesnt come off with just a wash. This is with TEST PIPES, i dont think hfc will do that, or atleast not nearly as much

yup, exactly. I don't hear the exhaust when cruising, even with the windows down. it does have a very deep rumble to it at idle though and of course you can hear it when stomping on the gas or doing downshifts.

I have test pipe but I don't have a problem with residue.

Awesome...

interesting, maybe I am harder on my gas or the win blows the oposite direction by me, lol jk

I let my car warm up every day 5-10 minutes before i drive it, maybe thats why ? My bro has a 03 350 PW and his bumper turns yellowish too!

Anyone else with test pipes want to give there .02 about this ?

I had a '05 PPW 350z with test pipes, my rear bumper got stained too. :thumbsdown: