Stillen CBE owners regret?

spearfish25 · 05-05-2010, 02:38 AM

I have the Stillen and can give an honest answer.

When I bought my exhaust, there was no waiting. I wanted something then and it was my best, fastest option. The FI was out then as well, but I didn't want a 4 week wait and there were floating rumors of drone that I will 100% NOT tolerate. So, for fear of drone and getting something I couldn't live with, I went with Stillen over FI. Berk wasn't an option as it was about 6 months down the pipeline still.

Having lived with my Stillen since September, I'm extremely happy with it. I like their large tips and haven't had any problems during install or thereafter. I felt the HFC addition was necessary as I wanted a little more volume out of the exhaust, and the addition did exactly that. For me, it's the perfect level of sound and 'fun'. It rewards a throttle stomp, sounds good at idle and never has any drone.

Would I switch for an FI now or before? No. I still don't want drone and the reviews are more concrete that the FI CBE with HFCs will get you some. Would I wait for the Berk or get that instead now if I could do it over? Potentially. I've heard the Berk in person and it sounds really nice. Lower and louder than the Stillen (both with HFCs). I like the Berk's sound, but I prefer the Stillen tips which I think would lean me to reorder Stillen again. There wasn't any drone with the Berk which makes it a viable option for me, but it's definitely louder inside the car when you're driving. JB1 last mentioned he plans to dynomat because the interior sound is just a bit on the loud side for long trips. No drone, just louder inside the car. In the end, I think Stillen and Berk would be a coin flip for me, but I have no regrets with my Stillen whatsoever.

Nick911sc · 05-05-2010, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

I have the Stillen and can give an honest answer.

When I bought my exhaust, there was no waiting. I wanted something then and it was my best, fastest option. The FI was out then as well, but I didn't want a 4 week wait and there were floating rumors of drone that I will 100% NOT tolerate. So, for fear of drone and getting something I couldn't live with, I went with Stillen over FI. Berk wasn't an option as it was about 6 months down the pipeline still.

Having lived with my Stillen since September, I'm extremely happy with it. I like their large tips and haven't had any problems during install or thereafter. I felt the HFC addition was necessary as I wanted a little more volume out of the exhaust, and the addition did exactly that. For me, it's the perfect level of sound and 'fun'. It rewards a throttle stomp, sounds good at idle and never has any drone.

Would I switch for an FI now or before? No. I still don't want drone and the reviews are more concrete that the FI CBE with HFCs will get you some. Would I wait for the Berk or get that instead now if I could do it over? Potentially. I've heard the Berk in person and it sounds really nice. Lower and louder than the Stillen (both with HFCs). I like the Berk's sound, but I prefer the Stillen tips which I think would lean me to reorder Stillen again. There wasn't any drone with the Berk which makes it a viable option for me, but it's definitely louder inside the car when you're driving. JB1 last mentioned he plans to dynomat because the interior sound is just a bit on the loud side for long trips. No drone, just louder inside the car. In the end, I think Stillen and Berk would be a coin flip for me, but I have no regrets with my Stillen whatsoever.

Superb right up

I think a lot of people on the forum who are looking for information need to read this post. Rep +1

Now let me ask you about your ERZ HFC's

I've read all about them and so far it seems they're a steal.

You're happy with them still? I know you haven't dyno'd them. I don't want to be stupid but, as they're cheaper, they don't sound any different to other HFC's do they? Other than wondering that it seems they'd be on par with the others on the market.

spearfish25 · 05-05-2010, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick911sc

Now let me ask you about your ERZ HFC's

I've read all about them and so far it seems they're a steal.

You're happy with them still? I know you haven't dyno'd them. I don't want to be stupid but, as they're cheaper, they don't sound any different to other HFC's do they? Other than wondering that it seems they'd be on par with the others on the market.

I'm really happy with the ERZs as well. You absolutely can't beat the price. As for quality, I had no issues with the install (save the Nissan bolts being biatches) and I think they've stood up well to the ultimate test...

I live in Chicago. I drive my car all winter. When I jacked up the car for the spring oil change and brake pad swap, the ERZ cats look brand f'ing new. They must be entirely made of 316 stainless because they are the most corrosion resistant part of my car now!

No CEL in 2000+ miles.

As for comparative sound, I've never heard the ERZs vs Berk or Stillen HFCs with the same catback exhausts on the cars. I think they add hiss like any HFC and they open up the exhaust similarly too. For $360, I have nothing but a smile on my face.

craniac24 · 05-05-2010, 06:04 PM

Wow...you guys that are saying it's too quiet are starting to worry me. I'm thinking of trading in my Nismo for a Stillen because I'm looking for more depth and volume. Now you're making me wonder if it won't be much louder than what I already have...

Red370 · 05-05-2010, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craniac24

Wow...you guys that are saying it's too quiet are starting to worry me. I'm thinking of trading in my Nismo for a Stillen because I'm looking for more depth and volume. Now you're making me wonder if it won't be much louder than what I already have...

dont compare the Nismo sound to the Stillen sound bud, its not even close. With HFC's, my exhaust is PLENTY loud.

Zsteve · 05-05-2010, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red370

dont compare the Nismo sound to the Stillen sound bud, its not even close. With HFC's, my exhaust is PLENTY loud.

What I cant hear you over my exhaust.

tinysumo · 05-05-2010, 11:00 PM

Ive also got the Stillen cbe with berk HFC's. I bought it from a member here on the boards and got a pretty good deal on it. I must say I've been really happy with it since day 1. No problems with the fitment or install. Its plenty loud enough for me and also has virtually no drone. Wierd how some people want their car even louder cuz I'm usually the one always wanting something louder. I used to have a full catless wrx with a full race exhaust(no resonators) and the stillen/berk hfc fills my need in terms of loudness goes. It really opens up when you get on it. Maybe I'm just getting old haha....

The only real gripes I have about it is the tips stick out further than I'd like. I know for some ppl it's lined up pretty flush with the bumper but mine does stick out a bit. I don't mind the large tips, I"m just not too crazy about them sticking out further when looking at it from the side. The only other thing is the catback is pretty heavy. The muffler weighed a good amount more than the stock muffle and I was pretty suprised when installing it. But overall I really like it and wouldnt trade it today for the FI, Invidia or berk.

BOLIO 671 · 05-05-2010, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zsteve

What I cant hear you over my exhaust.

BOLIO 671 · 05-05-2010, 07:33 PM

Great write up Spearfish....and +1 Rep for you as well....

I have personally heard a Stillen Exhaust...One of the guys out here has one on his 370Z...Really reminds me of Semtex's car since they are the same color....I'm not too sure if he has HFC's on it, but when he opened that baby up, Let me tell ya' it sounded really nice to hear it live....Hearing his car with the Stillen exhaust made me realize that all these vids really don't do the exhaust justice....

Red370 · 05-05-2010, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOLIO 671

Great write up Spearfish....and +1 Rep for you as well....

I have personally heard a Stillen Exhaust...One of the guys out here has one on his 370Z...Really reminds me of Semtex's car since they are the same color....I'm not too sure if he has HFC's on it, but when he opened that baby up, Let me tell ya' it sounded really nice to hear it live....Hearing his car with the Stillen exhaust made me realize that all these vids really don't do the exhaust justice....

couldnt agree more, my Z's exhaust note has been likened to an F1 car, very racey sounding, which is the note that I absolutely love.

m4a1mustang · 05-05-2010, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

I have the Stillen and can give an honest answer.

When I bought my exhaust, there was no waiting. I wanted something then and it was my best, fastest option. The FI was out then as well, but I didn't want a 4 week wait and there were floating rumors of drone that I will 100% NOT tolerate. So, for fear of drone and getting something I couldn't live with, I went with Stillen over FI. Berk wasn't an option as it was about 6 months down the pipeline still.

Having lived with my Stillen since September, I'm extremely happy with it. I like their large tips and haven't had any problems during install or thereafter. I felt the HFC addition was necessary as I wanted a little more volume out of the exhaust, and the addition did exactly that. For me, it's the perfect level of sound and 'fun'. It rewards a throttle stomp, sounds good at idle and never has any drone.

Would I switch for an FI now or before? No. I still don't want drone and the reviews are more concrete that the FI CBE with HFCs will get you some. Would I wait for the Berk or get that instead now if I could do it over? Potentially. I've heard the Berk in person and it sounds really nice. Lower and louder than the Stillen (both with HFCs). I like the Berk's sound, but I prefer the Stillen tips which I think would lean me to reorder Stillen again. There wasn't any drone with the Berk which makes it a viable option for me, but it's definitely louder inside the car when you're driving. JB1 last mentioned he plans to dynomat because the interior sound is just a bit on the loud side for long trips. No drone, just louder inside the car. In the end, I think Stillen and Berk would be a coin flip for me, but I have no regrets with my Stillen whatsoever.

I think the Berks sound really nice.

One exhaust that I think gets overlooked is AAM Competition's CBE. Two of the guys at our weekly meets have the AAM CBE and HFCs and the cars just sound fantastic. I think my FI sounds amazing, but holy crap, that AAM exhaust is amazing too. I drove one of their cars a couple weeks ago and that growl is just something else.

05-05-2010, 02:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1857	I have the Stillen and can give an honest answer. When I bought my exhaust, there was no waiting. I wanted something then and it was my best, fastest option. The FI was out then as well, but I didn't want a 4 week wait and there were floating rumors of drone that I will 100% NOT tolerate. So, for fear of drone and getting something I couldn't live with, I went with Stillen over FI. Berk wasn't an option as it was about 6 months down the pipeline still. Having lived with my Stillen since September, I'm extremely happy with it. I like their large tips and haven't had any problems during install or thereafter. I felt the HFC addition was necessary as I wanted a little more volume out of the exhaust, and the addition did exactly that. For me, it's the perfect level of sound and 'fun'. It rewards a throttle stomp, sounds good at idle and never has any drone. Would I switch for an FI now or before? No. I still don't want drone and the reviews are more concrete that the FI CBE with HFCs will get you some. Would I wait for the Berk or get that instead now if I could do it over? Potentially. I've heard the Berk in person and it sounds really nice. Lower and louder than the Stillen (both with HFCs). I like the Berk's sound, but I prefer the Stillen tips which I think would lean me to reorder Stillen again. There wasn't any drone with the Berk which makes it a viable option for me, but it's definitely louder inside the car when you're driving. JB1 last mentioned he plans to dynomat because the interior sound is just a bit on the loud side for long trips. No drone, just louder inside the car. In the end, I think Stillen and Berk would be a coin flip for me, but I have no regrets with my Stillen whatsoever. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

05-05-2010, 06:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
craniac24 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ronkonkoma, NY Posts: 339 Drives: 2010 PG Roadster Rep Power: 403	Wow...you guys that are saying it's too quiet are starting to worry me. I'm thinking of trading in my Nismo for a Stillen because I'm looking for more depth and volume. Now you're making me wonder if it won't be much louder than what I already have... __________________ 2010 6MT PG Roadster w/Sport & NAV. Stillen Exhaust, Stillen GIII Intake, Eibach Springs, H&R Spacers 15f/20r, SPC Rear Camber Kit. Thanks to Vinny Ten Racing!

05-05-2010, 07:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
BOLIO 671 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: GUAHAN Posts: 1,198 Drives: To & From then Back Rep Power: 3400	Great write up Spearfish....and +1 Rep for you as well.... I have personally heard a Stillen Exhaust...One of the guys out here has one on his 370Z...Really reminds me of Semtex's car since they are the same color....I'm not too sure if he has HFC's on it, but when he opened that baby up, Let me tell ya' it sounded really nice to hear it live....Hearing his car with the Stillen exhaust made me realize that all these vids really don't do the exhaust justice.... __________________ 2013 Nismo Z34 / FI TT #091 / IG: @lilzilla_z34

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05-05-2010, 11:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
tinysumo Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 69 Drives: 370z Touring/Sport Rep Power: 17	Ive also got the Stillen cbe with berk HFC's. I bought it from a member here on the boards and got a pretty good deal on it. I must say I've been really happy with it since day 1. No problems with the fitment or install. Its plenty loud enough for me and also has virtually no drone. Wierd how some people want their car even louder cuz I'm usually the one always wanting something louder. I used to have a full catless wrx with a full race exhaust(no resonators) and the stillen/berk hfc fills my need in terms of loudness goes. It really opens up when you get on it. Maybe I'm just getting old haha.... The only real gripes I have about it is the tips stick out further than I'd like. I know for some ppl it's lined up pretty flush with the bumper but mine does stick out a bit. I don't mind the large tips, I"m just not too crazy about them sticking out further when looking at it from the side. The only other thing is the catback is pretty heavy. The muffler weighed a good amount more than the stock muffle and I was pretty suprised when installing it. But overall I really like it and wouldnt trade it today for the FI, Invidia or berk.