Well, you can finesse it any way you like. Dispute $90 and say it's the original shipping charge. I have yet to have a credit card company not honor a dispute I've made.

Hopefully all of this is moot and Berk just overnights the correct part and reimburses JB's $90. That's the 'right' thing to so in this situation. Poor JB!

That is the right thing to do.

I called Berk Sat. and he said they have a 6 week waiting list maybe 7. I was leaning a little towards them and then these little quality and packaging issues appear. I think FI is about 5-6 week out for a delivered system too. That leaves Invidia, there is one installed response posting that seems favorible.
It's design is similar to Berks also. I have found it priced for a little as 739.00 on e-bay and amazon. The Berk rep. told me 900.00 now or 1,200 when their next batch is closer to shipping. Invidia is known for their exhaust work on Toyota Superas.

Don't base your decision on when you can get the system... you should get the one that you're going to enjoy the most. A 5-6-7 week wait is not that long at all.

I know I'm trying, but after reading another favorible review on the Invidia Gimini with and without the HFC its looking better. I'm trying to talk myself into the HFC now but not sure which one or where to get them yet.

IMO, if you are unsure, buy the CBE first. If it's not enough, add the HFCs. It will save you money in the long run if you find that the CBE is all you really need. :tup:

can you also do it the other way around? get test pipes of HFC first then CBE, because CBE are lot more expensive than test pipes and HFC. Test pipes and HFC increases proformance and sound at a fraction of CBE price. just my .02

That's what I did. HFCs gave me nearly the same gains, but for half the cost of my CBE. Once I saved some more money, I got the CBE as well.

From a volume stance, I'd go CBE first though. The CBE will usually give you the majority of your exhaust tone/sound. If it's not loud enough, add the HFCs or test pipes.

Yeah, definitely. It all depends on what type of sound you're after.

ahh, I see. how does the stock exhaust sound with just HFC's? I have seen the video but i am afriad it may not do enough justice. I am thinking of fi resonated test pipes first then fi CF 18" cbe later.

Pulled the Tigger
 

After reading bluestyle's review and watching the video it seemed like it was all need, I appreciate the FI system and Berks, but I paid 809.00 for the Invidia Gimini and that includes shipping and tax. I'm holding off on the HFC for now, wish me luck, I'll post some pictures and comments afterwards.

Sad to see you bypass the FI setup, but I do hope you enjoy the Invidias. :tup:

:iagree:

The stock exhaust with berk hfc sounds really good.

I ran test pipes with a stock CBE and loved it, very nice, especially down shifting on the limit, some rasp though at 2800, I then added an INVIDIA Gemini, it was very loud but very deep and sounded great, adding the CBE did open up more power over just test pipes.
Currently just on HFC's and not run it yet as no time, it did sound deeper at idle though.

Heres some vids of test pipes with ICBE.
Kellys 370Z :: MVI_4454.flv video by kastley85891 - Photobucket
Kellys 370Z :: MVI_4464.flv video by kastley85891 - Photobucket

That's another reason why I posted this up. (Besides warning people to check their mid pipes before installing) I am giving Berk the benefit of the doubt so far, **** happens and mistakes get made, it's how you solve them that counts.

I am convinced that once I get the exhaust installed I will love it and I'll post a raving review.

This does look bend to me. What did the box look like when you received it g96818?

What did UPS do, did they even bother to land the plane when they delivered the box to Hawaii, or did they just open the door at 10000ft and shove the box out?

At least it had a single wrapping of bubble wrap and a lot of open air space within the box to cushion the impact...

im about to pair the invidia with my Berk HFC so ill try and post videos but it would be till the end of the month

why i posted this in this thread i have no idea haha sry about that

:bowrofl:

Oh no, that's not mine, it's the dude who had the serious fitment issues.

The Berk rep better not have told you it is $900 since we all just paid $995 on a group buy. No way, try again!

Reply
 

Thats what he quoted me, but added the price would go up later in the month. Berk and Fast Intentions are about 1 hour from each other Berk being in orange county and FI in LA. Berk is known to outsource more than FI, its funny how a few things can change your ultimate decission. I'm Invidia bound and was getting close to a Berk system or FI.

Hmmm...if he quoted you $900... if that's true... I don't wanna be Berk come Monday morning. :eek:

i'll tell u know that it is bent, doesn't even line up to the stock cats without a LOT of force and thats just to get the bolts onto the flange holes
http://www.the370z.com/members/g9681...is-aligned.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/g9681...eds-forced.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/g9681...97-big-gap.jpg

this was the only real noticeable damage to the box
http://www.the370z.com/members/g9681...9-damn-ups.jpg

the packing looked ok at first
http://www.the370z.com/members/g9681...1-dsc01405.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/g9681...2-dsc01406.jpg

but that passenger side flange on the muffler is right next to the hole and is probably what caused it to puncture the box and that one is really bent, notice the broken single piece of cardboard that is supposed to support it, the mid-pipe above it, and the x-pipe
http://www.the370z.com/members/g9681...4-dsc01408.jpg

i agree, i waited over half a year for berks

I thought the whole delay was for more R&D and quality control..... guess not... :ugh2:

I know Berks going to Step up, It's a Good Company, and in the end will resolve everyone's issue's. :twocents:

:iagree:

On a good note, I took my car for a drive tonight and the Berk HFC and CBE combo produces a sound that is absolutely intoxicating. :tup:

I tell you what, I don't know why more people don't buy the invidia gemini. it's the cheapest exhaust price wise, has the best welds, comes packaged perfectly, and fits like a glove with no tweaks needed and tips aligned. I'm so happy with mine. I do have the berk HFC's mated with it.

on the invidia, i hate the sound
JB1 mine was shipped right after yours so if i have your other pipe maybe theyl just pay to have one of us ship the pipe to the other with a return label at least that way it would be packaged right.

i'm surprised all the smashed boxes and no paper or peanut packing made it with only tip alignment issues

I did my install along with my brother. I already had Berk's HFC. Overall, the install was pretty easy. It took us little over an hour on the garage floor. True, the alignment is not perfect. I was a little disappointment by that. My alignment issues were no where near as bad as the previous pictured. We were able to move the pipes to align the bolt holes easily. But, once the complete system was bolted together, it was very solid and had ZERO clearance issues. The only complaint I have is that the driver's side tip does not center up as well as the passenger. It looks like the bend coming out of the muffler has too much of a bend in it. But, once off the jacks and back on the ground, you can't notice it. My box and packaging were in great shape. The positive is that the note is AWESOME!! OVERALL 9/10. Fix the alignment issues and you have 10/10.

No question this particular one was damaged (bent) in-transit.

Anyone here work for UPS? I'd love to show them these threads and get a response from the Brown-Doodoo

Update your signature! :tiphat:

I should realy update mine brought the car home saturday and i have half the stuff installed now

Dun!