Which would you prefer??
 

After veiwing this forum for a while I finally decided to join in. The people on this forum seem to know a good bit about 370's so here is my question. I just purchased a new nismo and I am starting on my mods. I recently added the k&n typhoon kit and now I am looking to get some HFC's. I have decided to go with either the Berk's or the Fast Intensions. I have heard that the Fast Intensions have a better chance of keeping my CEL off which is real important to me. Does one free up more power than the other? Which one would you prefer??

Stock have 400 cell count, F.I. 300, Berk 200. Lower the cell count, less restriction, higher flow rate, but a better chance of triggering a CEL. I've run with F.I. for about 8,000 mi. and have never had a CEL.

Power is going to be the same. I'm partial to FI since I have their exhaust and really like their products and service.

Both Berk and FI have a 300 cell count core, IIRC. The ERZ pipes have a 200 cell core.

Product Information
Berk Technologies High Flow Cat Pipes Nissan 370Z 09+

The Berk Technology high flow catalytic converters are designed to be much less restrictive than stock, letting you unlock some of that lost power while still serving the function of converting harmful exhaust gasses into something less poisonous. The Berk Technology cats have a 200 cell count spiral wound metallic substrate. The substrate is the catalyst saturated honeycomb-like stuff inside the cat that the exhaust gasses pass though that does the cleaning of the exhaust stream. A metallic substrate has thinner walls with less cross sectional area than the ceramic material used for the honeycomb in most factory cats. Thinner walls mean larger internal passages in the honeycomb and thus less backpressure. Each passage is called a cell and a 200 cell count means that this honeycomb has large diameter cells for low restriction. Stock cats usually have cell counts in the 400 range and thicker walls on the cells making for much more flow restriction.

Berk Technology downpipes feature high quality all stainless construction, pre-cat bungs for wideband tuning sensors, gussets, proper rear o2 sensor attachment and big bore smooth mandrel bends for good flow. The stock catalytic converters came in at 10.5 lbs. each, while the Berk Technology High Flow Catalytic Converters came in at only 5.5 lbs. each, saving a surprising 10 lbs of performance robbing weight from the front of the 370Z.

Same here no issues, knock on wood. :tiphat:

I personally prefer the Berks...like mentioned they do have a lower cell count the F. I.

I have my Stillen and have never had any problems. Flow pretty good.

My Berk HFC's have treated me well. The construction is proper and compared to the F.I. they both have O2 sensor bung extenders. I haven't had a CEL yet, but I've only had them on for ~500 miles.

There are relatively inexpensive options to clear a CEL yourself. There is hardware that interfaces with an iPhone that allows you to clear them, or I'm sure you could find something laptop based.

whats the cell count on test pipes?? lol just kidding obviously

Thanks for the imput. Thinking of going with the Berks and doing the steel wool and an extra non fouler on top of that. Anyone tried that one yet?

Do you experience any rattling noise with the Stillen HFC's? Was initially thinking of going with them, but one of the guys out here on the island had them on his 370 and it rattles a lot...Also when compared to the construction of the Berks, I found the Berks to have better quality...I know that Stillen was advertising their HFC's to be stainless steel, but the one that my friend has failed the test...He told me he put a magnet up on it prior to install, and the magnet grabbed...


The Fouler method (Stuffing steel wool) is an added precaution....It won't hurt and should work well...I know some guys that had the Berks who posted that their CEL's went on, but after adding the steel wool, the CEL never came back...The advice given by others owning the Berks is to ensure that the 02 sensors are tighten during install....this will ensure that the CEL does not kick in

:owned:

I have the ERZ 200 cell HFCs and I didnt use the extended fouler just some steel wool and no cel yet with thousands of miles on it. It does have some rasp now from the HFCs but they flow well. While the power difference between 200 cell and 300 cell isnt much it should still be more just like going from 400 cell (stock) to 300 cell ones. ERZ is probably the cheaper of all and only time will tell how any of the aftermarket HFCs will fair over the years. For me bling looking products under the hood and car that cant be seen dont do it for me so I dont want to pay for that.

haha I think its 1