BERK Catback Exhaust System installs/reviews

370degreesNY · 08-18-2010, 04:58 PM

Finally getting a chance to post a review..my exhaust and HFC's were installed yesterday so i've been driving the car for a day and a half with it.

Packaging: Excellent..tons of paper..each piece wrapped in bubble wrap and styrofoam or some kind of soft material around the muffler and midpipes. All the hardware was bagged in a ziploc bag. Box made it with no holes or any damage. Thumbs way up for Berk and even UPS lol.

Quality: Looks really good, all welds minus one or two seem to be very nice. Weld on the right tip seems a little weird but its not even something noticeable so I don't car. Exhaust tips are centered pretty much perfect I havent measured but I don't feel the need to since they look spot on. Overall quality off and on the car is excellent..even my mechanic thinks everything fit nicely.

Looks: Love the close to stock look. The tips do not stick out at all past the bumper which I really like. I always thought the stillen stuck out too much but the berk looks nice and tucked in the cutouts.

Sound: Where to start..sounds amazing so far. On the inital startup I was grinnign ear to ear. The whole way home from the mechanic was sick. Every downshift felt so alive and much more exciting. It's crazy deep down low but really comes alive up high. I havent even been past 5k becuase i just figured i should take it easy and let it adjust and break in. I can't even explain what it sounds like but it sounds like a super enhanced version of stock. When you get on the gas it comes alive and starts to purr almost like an exotic but still has that VQ tone to it. With HFC's I kind of thought it would be louder..not that it isn't but on cruise and easy driving its very mellow and reasonable for anyone concerned with noise. It could be a tad louder for me personally..even my 50 yr old father thinks it's nice..and not annoying at all.

I also have the midpipe hanger prob..but its very minor the hanger should be longer on the left side because its only halfway in. My mechanic said its not going anywhere and my tips are straight so im not worried.

Heres a few pics and a quick vid..I hope to get a few more up in a few days.

It's my dad driving so excuse the poor shift at the end lol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooj2a1AEXAI

All in all I love it and it more than makes up for the wait.

wolf370z · 08-18-2010, 06:35 PM

Reading all this makes me even more excited for tomorrow when it arrives.. seems like this exhaust really meets all expectations!!

BOLIO 671 · 08-18-2010, 06:44 PM

+1 to memorylasts, Dembflyr, and 370degreesNY...Great shares, vid, and DIY's...

I really wonder why the hangers are an issue with some and not with others...Rob do you happen to know how many cars/customers have had the hanger issues in this batch?

370Zsteve · 08-18-2010, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf370z

Yes, the low key looks of the exhaust is actually perfect. Besides FI you can really only make tips/exhaust look good. Definitely not "fart can" status and certainly fits well with the sports car attitude of the Z. Not to mention it's great for ground clearance... it actually looks very similar to stock and I already like the way it looks.

I'd say the berk cbe coupled with the hfc really transforms the car and the exhaust is -- like someone else said -- no longer a sound but a tone

At least that's what I'm heard from videos until I get mine installed... either thurs or fri!!!!

A tone is exactly what I said about my Berk CBE when I installed it in April. The sound is stunning.

370degreesNY · 08-18-2010, 07:24 PM

I don't hear any rasp either with the HFC's.

Although there is the hiss..sounds like a pissed off rattlesnake on decel mostly between 2500-3000

TongMan · 08-18-2010, 08:47 PM

I guess there are some fitment issus with this batch...

Rob@BerkTech · 08-19-2010, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOLIO 671

+1 to memorylasts, Dembflyr, and 370degreesNY...Great shares, vid, and DIY's...

I really wonder why the hangers are an issue with some and not with others...Rob do you happen to know how many cars/customers have had the hanger issues in this batch?

We are trying to figure it out right now. All the production pieces were built off of a jig and tested fitted on Zee's car prior to shipping, so each one is identical. Why there are variances when it got to a couple of the customers is beyond us at the moment, but we have memorylasts' exhaust sitting here with notes on seeing what's going on.

The oddest thing is that of the 20 or so exhausts we have shipped out, we have only had the complaints from what you have seen here. But we'll keep you guys updated with what's going on. Please feel free to let me know if something else comes up and we'll be more than glad to provide you a solution.

wolf370z · 08-20-2010, 08:53 PM

First words that came out of my mouth when I drove with the new Berk Cat-back (only, no HFC's yet): HOLY CRAP. And I couldn't stop saying it until about a block down the road when I stoppped at a light. I just have to say WOW!!

Review first, pics last.

Installation - Went extremely smooth. Breaker bar was necessary to loosen the bolts all throughout the stock exhaust. It wasn't difficult to remove and went by pretty quick. The hardest part is the stupid hangers but again it goes by quick. Installing the berk also went very smooth and no hiccups along the way. Fitment was great and did not require any tweaking of anything... the tips are aligned 99.99% perfect. I've never seen such amazing alignment....

Sound - I can honestly say without a doubt that the car no longer makes a sound but a tone. Under 3k rpms it's similar stock but louder, deeper, and smoother. Once you hit 3.5k+ rpms you better hang on because your ears are going to explode from the pure awesomeness that will be emitting from your car. It is a killer sound that I've never heard replicated in my area... there's a lot of "muscle cars" as well as ricers but the Z is now the best sounding thing on the block for sure.

I am beyond happy with it!

Fitment - Like I said the tips are aligned perfectly and required no tweaking. There's zero rubbing, doesn't knock, no taps, no hissing, NOTHING WRONG. It really is perfect I'm very impressed.

Looks - Simply put the exhaust looks great. There may have been a few marks on the y-pipe, piping before and after resonators, but the tips and mufflers that you actually see are flawless. The tips look great and once again the alignment is fantastic.

Now the most impressive thing with this exhaust is the absolute fact there is NO DRONE. No, literally guys, NO DRONE. AT ALL. Some people try and boast their exhaust doesn't drone but Berk can say for a fact that it doesn't drone. Once again, very impressed.

All in all this exhaust is one of the best if not the best on the market for someone who wants an outstanding cat-back. I recommend this exhaust to anyone and everyone!!! Great job Berk!!

Now here's the pics. There's really not much to look at because others already posted some good ones.

So much paper....

Last but not least the star tool of the whole operation!:

Here's a bit of the stock exhaust. Y-pipe:

Sorry for the crap pics but there's really nothing iimportant, we all know the exhaust looks great!

Don't really have much final looks pictures because 1) it didn't stay on the lift too long

and 2) mainly because other people already posted what it looks like.

Buy this exhaust. You will be satisified.

Holliday · 08-20-2010, 11:06 PM

Another great review and satisfied customer on the thread

Boost_lee · 08-21-2010, 02:21 AM

someone please post a Berk sound clip with stock cats driving by under load

blastman5 · 08-21-2010, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TongMan

Are most of you guys letting shops do the install for you and you're not installing it yourselves?

i have never done exhaust before but i did it myself and it was super easy...so i say go for it and do it yourself

1slow370 · 08-21-2010, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blastman5

yea there was so much paper packed in there and other stuff that those things will take a lot of damage....i actually kept my box and all the paper that was in it and it is a perfect archery target because all that stuff that they pack in there stops the arrows...hahah...so i got an exhaust and a target

HAHA funny story on the box one of my friends was using it to stay warm while i put in my flywheel back in march (it was still cold as a mofo up here) and we tapped him in it, strapped it to the roof of my beater, poked some holes to let the cool breeze in and drove around for a half hour. good times, good times, then the box got thrown out.

BOLIO 671 · 08-21-2010, 07:00 AM

Great review Wolf370....

Come on guys were are the vids? The Berks CBE is one of the exhausts that have the least amount of vids....

Sorry for my excitement...but my exhaust won't be here for another couple of days and won't be installed until after September 4th....After reading all the great reviews I am super stoked...

wolf370z · 08-21-2010, 09:19 AM

I suppose I could make a video even though my camera is pretty poor. I'll try and see how it goes! Don't hold your breath though

Holliday · 08-21-2010, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf370z

I suppose I could make a video even though my camera is pretty poor. I'll try and see how it goes! Don't hold your breath though

(holding breath)

08-18-2010, 06:35 PM	#62 (permalink)
wolf370z Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: United States Posts: 230 Drives: 09 370z red m6 Rep Power: 15	Reading all this makes me even more excited for tomorrow when it arrives.. seems like this exhaust really meets all expectations!! __________________ Good drivers just drive.

08-18-2010, 06:44 PM	#63 (permalink)
BOLIO 671 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: GUAHAN Posts: 1,198 Drives: To & From then Back Rep Power: 3399	+1 to memorylasts, Dembflyr, and 370degreesNY...Great shares, vid, and DIY's... I really wonder why the hangers are an issue with some and not with others...Rob do you happen to know how many cars/customers have had the hanger issues in this batch? __________________ 2013 Nismo Z34 / FI TT #091 / IG: @lilzilla_z34

08-20-2010, 08:53 PM	#68 (permalink)
wolf370z Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: United States Posts: 230 Drives: 09 370z red m6 Rep Power: 15	First words that came out of my mouth when I drove with the new Berk Cat-back (only, no HFC's yet): HOLY CRAP. And I couldn't stop saying it until about a block down the road when I stoppped at a light. I just have to say WOW!! Review first, pics last. Installation - Went extremely smooth. Breaker bar was necessary to loosen the bolts all throughout the stock exhaust. It wasn't difficult to remove and went by pretty quick. The hardest part is the stupid hangers but again it goes by quick. Installing the berk also went very smooth and no hiccups along the way. Fitment was great and did not require any tweaking of anything... the tips are aligned 99.99% perfect. I've never seen such amazing alignment.... Sound - I can honestly say without a doubt that the car no longer makes a sound but a tone. Under 3k rpms it's similar stock but louder, deeper, and smoother. Once you hit 3.5k+ rpms you better hang on because your ears are going to explode from the pure awesomeness that will be emitting from your car. It is a killer sound that I've never heard replicated in my area... there's a lot of "muscle cars" as well as ricers but the Z is now the best sounding thing on the block for sure. I am beyond happy with it! Fitment - Like I said the tips are aligned perfectly and required no tweaking. There's zero rubbing, doesn't knock, no taps, no hissing, NOTHING WRONG. It really is perfect I'm very impressed. Looks - Simply put the exhaust looks great. There may have been a few marks on the y-pipe, piping before and after resonators, but the tips and mufflers that you actually see are flawless. The tips look great and once again the alignment is fantastic. Now the most impressive thing with this exhaust is the absolute fact there is NO DRONE. No, literally guys, NO DRONE. AT ALL. Some people try and boast their exhaust doesn't drone but Berk can say for a fact that it doesn't drone. Once again, very impressed. All in all this exhaust is one of the best if not the best on the market for someone who wants an outstanding cat-back. I recommend this exhaust to anyone and everyone!!! Great job Berk!! Now here's the pics. There's really not much to look at because others already posted some good ones. So much paper.... Last but not least the star tool of the whole operation!: Here's a bit of the stock exhaust. Y-pipe: Sorry for the crap pics but there's really nothing iimportant, we all know the exhaust looks great! Don't really have much final looks pictures because 1) it didn't stay on the lift too long and 2) mainly because other people already posted what it looks like. Buy this exhaust. You will be satisified. __________________ Good drivers just drive.

08-20-2010, 11:06 PM	#69 (permalink)
Holliday Track Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Cache, OK Age: 38 Posts: 916 Drives: in the fast lane.... Rep Power: 16	Another great review and satisfied customer on the thread __________________

08-21-2010, 07:00 AM	#73 (permalink)
BOLIO 671 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: GUAHAN Posts: 1,198 Drives: To & From then Back Rep Power: 3399	Great review Wolf370.... Come on guys were are the vids? The Berks CBE is one of the exhausts that have the least amount of vids.... Sorry for my excitement...but my exhaust won't be here for another couple of days and won't be installed until after September 4th....After reading all the great reviews I am super stoked... __________________ 2013 Nismo Z34 / FI TT #091 / IG: @lilzilla_z34

08-18-2010, 07:24 PM	#65 (permalink)
370degreesNY Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NY Posts: 30 Drives: 09 370Z PW 6spd Rep Power: 15	I don't hear any rasp either with the HFC's. Although there is the hiss..sounds like a pissed off rattlesnake on decel mostly between 2500-3000

08-18-2010, 08:47 PM	#66 (permalink)
TongMan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,297 Drives: 2013 Nissan GTR Rep Power: 715	I guess there are some fitment issus with this batch...

08-21-2010, 02:21 AM	#70 (permalink)
Boost_lee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SATX Posts: 2,813 Drives: 09 370Z TT 6MT Rep Power: 29	someone please post a Berk sound clip with stock cats driving by under load

08-21-2010, 09:19 AM	#74 (permalink)
wolf370z Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: United States Posts: 230 Drives: 09 370z red m6 Rep Power: 15	I suppose I could make a video even though my camera is pretty poor. I'll try and see how it goes! Don't hold your breath though __________________ Good drivers just drive.

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