Comparison Vid: Stock, Stillen, and Berk :)

spearfish25

When I first added the Stillen CBE, there was no rasp at all. The sound initially was a bit quiet and it matured, getting louder with a bit of time.

Then I added the ERZ HFCs and out the shop door it was rasp like you wouldn't believe. I cringed initially thinking I had a problem. After about 100mi, the rasp settled down immensely. The only time I really notice rasp now is acceleration with a cold engine. Once things warm up, I wouldn't call it rasp. It's more a coarseness to the exhaust tone that gives it a racecar-ish feel. JB1's berk/berk setup is loud, deep and smooth. I don't get the mechanical sense from his exhaust note that the Stillen/ERZ combo has. However, I'm OK with that as the mechanical essence adds some interesting differences in my opinion. It's not unpalatable, just difference.

Red, I don't think it's gotten quieter, but I definitely am more used to it. I started thinking I could tolerate the noise of an F.I. exhaust perhaps...but that won't happen. Having compared the car to JB1s Berk setup, the Stillen/ERZ is near the same loudness level. In the car, the Berk combo is somewhat louder but perhaps because there are more lower frequencies, whereas the Stillen/ERZ setup has a bit more higher frequencies.

__________________
2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

rsximus

Awesome video guys! Just what I was looking for.

In the video the Stillen sounds so much more refined, the Berk sounds like it just kinda growls up to redline with no soul, while the Stillen has a nice tone from start to finish with a beautiful note.

Unfortunately I just can't get past how ugly the Stillen tips are, and I don't want to modify a $1200+ exhaust after I just get it. WHY STILLEN? Why can't you make the tips more stock looking, the tips on the Stillen CBE looks like something from Need for Speed Underground, all it needs is flames shooting out of it.

I'm ordering the Berk, if one day Stillen decides to change the way their tip looks I'm sure their exhaust sales will go WAY UP. I'll be first in line to buy one. They have everything in check, decent price, good quality, great sound, great power too bad the tips ruined the whole deal.

spearfish25

Initially I wasn't too sure about what I thought of the Stillen tips. The shop that installed mine tucked them in as far as they could which I definitely prefer. A few guys on the site have the tips hanging really far out which I'm not fond of at all. After a week or so with the car, I have to say I actually love the tips. From behind they look huge and fill the fascia cutouts completely. From a side view, they just give the 'hey, I'm not stock' look. It's one of those things that you might like more in person.

If you're more of a sleeper look kind of guy, go for the Berk. You'll be really happy with either.

As for tone, I would say the Berk is more refined/smooth. The Stillen has a bit more mechanical wildness/raucousness to the overall sound (take it for what you will, I like it...but I'm biased since I've invested in it).

__________________
2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z