between stillen and F.I with 18" res

nutoz · 04-27-2010, 08:21 PM

I would like to know which one of the exhaust between stillen and FI w/18 res on stock cats will have quieter interior for talking and so forth on long 3-4 hour drives.
watched interior vids but like to hear from the owners

dlmartin81 · 04-27-2010, 08:31 PM

Well, the owners of each can only speak for what they have.

You basically need someone who has ridden in Zs with one or the other (one with STILLEN and the other with F.I.).

sk8geezer · 04-27-2010, 08:56 PM

My Stillen with Berk High Flow Cats is very quiet while driving at highway speeds. Only comes to life when you get on it. I think this is the best combination for tolerable cruising interior noise.

Justin1686 · 04-27-2010, 10:19 PM

this'll be a thread i'm gonna follow. i'm looking into the F.I also with 18" also.

RCZ · 04-27-2010, 10:36 PM

Stillen is the only exhaust I've heard about so far that doesn't drone. I love it, partial throttle on the highway and its barely noticeable.

Cyberium · 04-27-2010, 10:47 PM

Check out my review

KEVTEX · 04-27-2010, 10:59 PM

Drone would be a concern if you are taking long highway drives. The Stillen cbe has a better reputation in that department then FI. Berk has the only other drone free exhaust system. In my opinion the perfect exhaust would have the looks and light weight of FI with the sound and horsepower of the Berk.

Tresfr · 04-27-2010, 11:55 PM

I have only heard Stillen and F1

The order of those from loudest to quitest at cruising speed as well as a few others from what I have gathered is shown below. It also depends on what speed and RPM because even the F1 at some Highway Speed was very quite but the Stillen seemed to be quite at all cruising RPM. The only one that may be like stock which is nearly silent at cruising speed is the Nismo CBE.

I immediately liked the Stillen because I was looking for the same characteristics as you. Ultimately I choose the Invidia because it has much better build quality and fitment and is a little lighter than the Stillen. It appears from reviews and clips as well as a few responses from owners I spoke with to have a slightly mellower tone. ( I will be getting the Invidia Installed next week)

F1 is the class of this field as far as weight, power and build quality but you must live with some drone at certain throttle input and RPM ranges. It has the deepest tone of this group and that is what some people like while others do not.

Cruising Speed 70-80MPH
F1= 10
Stillen= 7
Invidia= 6
Nismo= 2
Stock= 1

Horsepower
F1= 21
Stillen= 18
Invidia= 12
Nismo= 5.8
Stock= 0

Wide Open Throttle
F1= 10
Stillen= 9
Invidia=7
Nismo= 4
Stock= 2

I know my opinion based on what I heard will not be what others may feel because how one person perceives sound can be different than another. If there is anyone who has heard in person 3 or more of these CBE only who disagrees with my thoughts please chime in. I would not even try to get into how they sound with High Flow Cats because the comparison becomes far to complex.

DIGItonium · 04-28-2010, 12:17 AM

IMO, the Stillen is probably a bit quieter than F.I. in terms of loudness. On the other hand, the two sound very different so it's a matter of personal taste. I chose F.I. for the smoother and deeper sound that's like a transformation of the old and subdued sound. Loudness-wise, the sound is there, but it is very quiet beyond 3k RPM.

mattkim85 · 04-28-2010, 01:10 AM

my previous setup was Stillen CBE w/ berk HFC's and now i am running FI 18" reso SS w/ berk HFC's.

The performance nor sound wasnt a big factor for the change... it was actually the way it looked to me. It was just so damn ugly.

Well onto the point, the stillen combo has NO drone on freeway drives, but with the FI combo, i would have to drive it up to like 80+ to get the rpm high enough (around 3.5ish) to get out of the drone zone.

So yeah if you want something with no drone stillen is the way to go.

DIGItonium · 04-28-2010, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattkim85

Well onto the point, the stillen combo has NO drone on freeway drives, but with the FI combo, i would have to drive it up to like 80+ to get the rpm high enough (around 3.5ish) to get out of the drone zone.

So yeah if you want something with no drone stillen is the way to go.

Haha leave it in 5th gear and you're good to go.

That's what I briefly tried this morning.

Caravanshaka · 04-28-2010, 08:24 AM

having invidia exhaust and berk HFC's, I can comment that at cruising speeds it is hardly noticeable. You CAN hear it, but barely, and it's definitely not intrusive. If you give it gas at 65 mph in 6th gear, you get a little drone, but it's not bad at all. Under WOT it sounds awesome, I love the way it sounds when I get on it. The problem is the small rpm-range that has a drone when daily driving, which is there on MOST exhausts.

I can't comment much on the stillen vs FI, as I've only heard mine, nismo, and Berk recently. For Quality I would say FI hands-down.

Tresfr · 04-28-2010, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caravanshaka

having invidia exhaust and berk HFC's, I can comment that at cruising speeds it is hardly noticeable. You CAN hear it, but barely, and it's definitely not intrusive. If you give it gas at 65 mph in 6th gear, you get a little drone, but it's not bad at all. Under WOT it sounds awesome, I love the way it sounds when I get on it. The problem is the small rpm-range that has a drone when daily driving, which is there on MOST exhausts.

I can't comment much on the stillen vs FI, as I've only heard mine, nismo, and Berk recently. For Quality I would say FI hands-down.

My Invidia Gemini Catback is on its way and will be installed next week. What RPM at 65 do you think the drone would be at its worse. 1900-2400 or say 2400-2900. Do you think without HFC the drone would still be there or be as loud. I puchased the Catback because everyone I spoke with said the Invidia was the quitest outside of Nismo and HKS Legamax

Caravanshaka · 04-28-2010, 12:48 PM

2400-2900 for sure. I can't comment without HFC's, as I had my HFC's on long before the exhaust. I bought it for the same reason, but am probably going to switch to Nismo.

mattkim85 · 04-28-2010, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DIGItonium

Haha leave it in 5th gear and you're good to go.

That's what I briefly tried this morning.

lol yea, i do that sometimes too when my girlfriend is in the car or i'll try to cover it up with the speakers :/

04-27-2010, 08:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
nutoz Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Independence Posts: 51 Drives: 10 ST 7AT PG CB Rep Power: 15	between stillen and F.I with 18" res I would like to know which one of the exhaust between stillen and FI w/18 res on stock cats will have quieter interior for talking and so forth on long 3-4 hour drives. watched interior vids but like to hear from the owners

04-27-2010, 08:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
dlmartin81 Track Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Chalfont, PA Age: 42 Posts: 923 Drives: 09 370Z Rep Power: 607	Well, the owners of each can only speak for what they have. You basically need someone who has ridden in Zs with one or the other (one with STILLEN and the other with F.I.). __________________ Dan F.I. SS CBE 18-R \|\| Llumar 40% tint

04-27-2010, 10:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cyberium Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vermont Posts: 379 Drives: 370z Touring \| Sport Rep Power: 16	Check out my review __________________ Stillen G3 Intakes \| F. I TDX

04-27-2010, 11:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tresfr Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 55 Drives: Black 370Z Rep Power: 15	I think this would be the order I have only heard Stillen and F1 The order of those from loudest to quitest at cruising speed as well as a few others from what I have gathered is shown below. It also depends on what speed and RPM because even the F1 at some Highway Speed was very quite but the Stillen seemed to be quite at all cruising RPM. The only one that may be like stock which is nearly silent at cruising speed is the Nismo CBE. I immediately liked the Stillen because I was looking for the same characteristics as you. Ultimately I choose the Invidia because it has much better build quality and fitment and is a little lighter than the Stillen. It appears from reviews and clips as well as a few responses from owners I spoke with to have a slightly mellower tone. ( I will be getting the Invidia Installed next week) F1 is the class of this field as far as weight, power and build quality but you must live with some drone at certain throttle input and RPM ranges. It has the deepest tone of this group and that is what some people like while others do not. Cruising Speed 70-80MPH F1= 10 Stillen= 7 Invidia= 6 Nismo= 2 Stock= 1 Horsepower F1= 21 Stillen= 18 Invidia= 12 Nismo= 5.8 Stock= 0 Wide Open Throttle F1= 10 Stillen= 9 Invidia=7 Nismo= 4 Stock= 2 I know my opinion based on what I heard will not be what others may feel because how one person perceives sound can be different than another. If there is anyone who has heard in person 3 or more of these CBE only who disagrees with my thoughts please chime in. I would not even try to get into how they sound with High Flow Cats because the comparison becomes far to complex.

04-28-2010, 12:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 42	IMO, the Stillen is probably a bit quieter than F.I. in terms of loudness. On the other hand, the two sound very different so it's a matter of personal taste. I chose F.I. for the smoother and deeper sound that's like a transformation of the old and subdued sound. Loudness-wise, the sound is there, but it is very quiet beyond 3k RPM. __________________

04-27-2010, 08:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
sk8geezer Base Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: wv Posts: 26 Drives: 09 370z tour sport Rep Power: 15	My Stillen with Berk High Flow Cats is very quiet while driving at highway speeds. Only comes to life when you get on it. I think this is the best combination for tolerable cruising interior noise.

04-27-2010, 10:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
Justin1686 Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Nassau, NY Age: 37 Posts: 689 Drives: 09 370 PG AT Rep Power: 17	this'll be a thread i'm gonna follow. i'm looking into the F.I also with 18" also.

04-27-2010, 10:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1118	Stillen is the only exhaust I've heard about so far that doesn't drone. I love it, partial throttle on the highway and its barely noticeable.

04-27-2010, 10:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
KEVTEX Base Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Montgomery, TX Posts: 119 Drives: 2010 370Z 7at sp pg Rep Power: 15	Drone would be a concern if you are taking long highway drives. The Stillen cbe has a better reputation in that department then FI. Berk has the only other drone free exhaust system. In my opinion the perfect exhaust would have the looks and light weight of FI with the sound and horsepower of the Berk.

04-28-2010, 01:10 AM	#10 (permalink)
mattkim85 Base Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: los angeles, ca Age: 38 Posts: 230 Drives: 09 Z34, 08 AP2 Rep Power: 16	my previous setup was Stillen CBE w/ berk HFC's and now i am running FI 18" reso SS w/ berk HFC's. The performance nor sound wasnt a big factor for the change... it was actually the way it looked to me. It was just so damn ugly. Well onto the point, the stillen combo has NO drone on freeway drives, but with the FI combo, i would have to drive it up to like 80+ to get the rpm high enough (around 3.5ish) to get out of the drone zone. So yeah if you want something with no drone stillen is the way to go. __________________ Fast Intentions CBE 18" , Berk HFCs, Injen CAI, KW V3, Rear SPC Camber Kit, VOLK RE30's

04-28-2010, 08:24 AM	#12 (permalink)
Caravanshaka I shake Caravans Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: north Dallas Posts: 9,517 Drives: everyone crazy Rep Power: 42	having invidia exhaust and berk HFC's, I can comment that at cruising speeds it is hardly noticeable. You CAN hear it, but barely, and it's definitely not intrusive. If you give it gas at 65 mph in 6th gear, you get a little drone, but it's not bad at all. Under WOT it sounds awesome, I love the way it sounds when I get on it. The problem is the small rpm-range that has a drone when daily driving, which is there on MOST exhausts. I can't comment much on the stillen vs FI, as I've only heard mine, nismo, and Berk recently. For Quality I would say FI hands-down. __________________ ____________________ PROJECT DiaD - Sold but not forgotten! The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that in order to work the penis, the brain must remain whole.

04-28-2010, 12:48 PM	#14 (permalink)
Caravanshaka I shake Caravans Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: north Dallas Posts: 9,517 Drives: everyone crazy Rep Power: 42	2400-2900 for sure. I can't comment without HFC's, as I had my HFC's on long before the exhaust. I bought it for the same reason, but am probably going to switch to Nismo. __________________ ____________________ PROJECT DiaD - Sold but not forgotten! The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that in order to work the penis, the brain must remain whole.

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