Pulled the trigger on Berk’s HFC!

[Elia Cid]

Well I finally pulled the trigger on the Berk’s HFC , I'm tracking UPS , made an appointment with my dealer for a 20th install !

My main concerns are the devil bolt eating up dealer time , making sure I have no CEL light issues after the install!

Like to hear from Brek’s, HFC users how many miles so far with Berk’s HFC, installed?

How much louder and how soon should I expect to hear final changes in sound before the Berk's HFC settles down ,with my Stillen CAI, CBE combo?

Any issues, besides Cel light I should be aware of, like Tuning and ECU?

Thanks , stay tuned,

Alex

[craniac24]

Why not take it to a performance shop instead of the dealer?

[370Zsteve]

Originally Posted by craniac24

Why not take it to a performance shop instead of the dealer?

Joe, I'm with the OP. I've had all my mods done at a (respected, performance-oriented) dealership. Then if there are problems down the road, or warranty issues, they can't point fingers at anyone but themselves.

[Elia Cid]

Hi,
After going to some of the performance shops and auto repair shops in my area, they frankly just didn’t inspire that much confidence!

That being said, my Nissan dealership does; Greg the service manager is a great guy, only assigns Martin the top mechanic to work on my car, I go over the install and discuss my concerns. I also show them pictures and any articles I feel they should have going in to the install , I also insist that they allowed me to do a walk around before they lower the car to inspect the work done , in this case the installation of my new Stillen CBE, they also gave the car an oil change using Ester oil with the larger Nissan filter I had asked for .

The work was done in a little over an hour, they did a fine job, and charged be one hour for both.

IMHO they get things done in a timely fashion , their rates are reasonable, the work done has been excellent so far, plus they know and understand the nuances of the "Z" car!

Sorry for the rant, but as you can see I’m happy with my Nissan dealership!

Thanks,
Alex

[kenhdcgov]

Originally Posted by Elia Cid

Well I finally pulled the trigger on the Berk’s HFC , I'm tracking UPS , made an appointment with my dealer for a 20th install !

My main concerns are the devil bolt eating up dealer time , making sure I have no CEL light issues after the install!

Like to hear from Brek’s, HFC users how many miles so far with Berk’s HFC, installed?

How much louder and how soon should I expect to hear final changes in sound before the Berk's HFC settles down ,with my Stillen CAI, CBE combo?

Any issues, besides Cel light I should be aware of, like Tuning and ECU?



Thanks , stay tuned,

Alex

Hey, please don't keep me in the dark!! I am leaning toward the Berk's as well!!

[BOLIO 671]

Great Choice Alex... I have put on over 100miles on my Z since the install of my Berks HFC/CBE.... The HFC's are great with no CEL thus far...as long as the install is done properly you should have no issues with a CEL...

In Terms of how much louder it would get...you will definately hear a difference right off the bat...but IMO it gives the exhaust a deeper more exotic sound...You will definately hear the famous "Hiss" on deceleration, but I don't know I love the Hiss...and its barely noticeable when you're in the cabin....The Berks HFC paired with the Stillen CBE sounds super sweet....Here's a vid of Semtex's Berk HFC/Stillen CBE combo if you haven't heard it yet...



In regards to your choice to go with a Nissan Dealer for the install...I agree with you 100%...especially if your Nissan Dealer is Mod Friendly....When I did the install on my Berks/HFC, one of my friends was a certified Nissan Tech...This helped when we ran into the "Devil Bolts" located on the top part of the Triangle Flange of the Stock Cats....Of course having experience with working on cars, we let off when the suckers wouldn't budge to avoid rounding off the head of the bolts.....Once our friend from Nissan arrived, all he did was break out one of his special tools and with the assitance of a breaker bar we got those "Devil Bolts" out in a jiffy...I honestly feel that it pays to have a mechanic that is familiar with the ins and outs of the Z to work on it...

[christian370z]

You are going to love them Elia, this is the best bang for the buck mod I have done to the car yet and it really accentuates the sound regardless of the catback exhaust you have.

[Elia Cid]

Originally Posted by BOLIO 671

Great Choice Alex... I have put on over 100miles on my Z since the install of my Berks HFC/CBE.... The HFC's are great with no CEL thus far...as long as the install is done properly you should have no issues with a CEL...

In Terms of how much louder it would get...you will definately hear a difference right off the bat...but IMO it gives the exhaust a deeper more exotic sound...You will definately hear the famous "Hiss" on deceleration, but I don't know I love the Hiss...and its barely noticeable when you're in the cabin....The Berks HFC paired with the Stillen CBE sounds super sweet....Here's a vid of Semtex's Berk HFC/Stillen CBE combo if you haven't heard it yet...



In regards to your choice to go with a Nissan Dealer for the install...I agree with you 100%...especially if your Nissan Dealer is Mod Friendly....When I did the install on my Berks/HFC, one of my friends was a certified Nissan Tech...This helped when we ran into the "Devil Bolts" located on the top part of the Triangle Flange of the Stock Cats....Of course having experience with working on cars, we let off when the suckers wouldn't budge to avoid rounding off the head of the bolts.....Once our friend from Nissan arrived, all he did was break out one of his special tools and with the assitance of a breaker bar we got those "Devil Bolts" out in a jiffy...I honestly feel that it pays to have a mechanic that is familiar with the ins and outs of the Z to work on it...

BOLIO 671,
Thanks for you insightful response, your Berk’s CBE,HFC combo must sound great, I bet!

Semtex has been an inspiration to me seeing his stuff, now he’s running the F.I. long headers setup, Wow!

I have come to understand how really important the right sound is coupled with great performance, this is the missing element in a “Z” IMO ,once this potential is unleashed the “Z” car becomes a beast in the wind, you can wrap around you and submerge yourself in the wonderful sound as you roar to you destination!

I’m sitting on the edge of my chair tracking my stuff “lol”


Thanks ,
Alex

[atx370z]

Congrats Man! You went with the best HFC's and you are in the same exact boat as i am!

Getting my Berk HFC's and Stillen CBE installed on the 20th also. The shop im using for the installs has one of the best hourly rates and is used to working on Ferrari's etc. So im sure my Z won't be anything new to them. They also said they have done some HFC's on 370s and G37s before so they know what to expect. I just installed my Stillen G3's day before yesterday and love them. Cant wait for my new exhaust set up!

[Elia Cid]

Originally Posted by atx370z

Congrats Man! You went with the best HFC's and you are in the same exact boat as i am!

Getting my Berk HFC's and Stillen CBE installed on the 20th also. The shop im using for the installs has one of the best hourly rates and is used to working on Ferrari's etc. So im sure my Z won't be anything new to them. They also said they have done some HFC's on 370s and G37s before so they know what to expect. I just installed my Stillen G3's day before yesterday and love them. Cant wait for my new exhaust set up!

Congratulations as well, sounds like you’re taking it to the right place, for the install.

IMHO I don't think you can go wrong with Berk's/Stillen. The outstanding performance gains and sound combo these bolt on's create has been more than proven on this forum and elsewhere ,these parts just seem to flow and compliment each other.

Good luck,

Alex

P.S. Just got this, UPS Quantum View tracking Scheduled Delivery: 20-September-2010

Damn it!! Now I have to reschedule the install to 21st ……. Oh brother! “lol”

[BOLIO 671]

Originally Posted by Elia Cid

BOLIO 671,
Thanks for you insightful response, your Berk’s CBE,HFC combo must sound great, I bet!

Semtex has been an inspiration to me seeing his stuff, now he’s running the F.I. long headers setup, Wow!

No worries...I was glad to be of help....Semtex is one of the members on the forum that has contributed a lot with his research and reviews of the aftermarket products...I really appreciate his honesty...in his posts....if the part he puts on doesn't cut it, he'll call it what it is with no sugar coating...I know that his knowledge and sharing of info has saved me lots of time and $$$$

Semtex...if you're still monitoring...... here you go brother from all of us...

[ProfessorDave]

I'm going to start a new thread called "Guess Alex's Next Mod"

Seriously, you are going to have one sweet sounding ride!

[Elia Cid]

Originally Posted by ProfessorDave

I'm going to start a new thread called "Guess Alex's Next Mod"

Seriously, you are going to have one sweet sounding ride!

Dave ,
Did you say mod , well I wouldn't think of it , well maybe a little one!



"Orpheus" is still very much a work in progress.

I will be adding:

1. Stillen Red Grounding kit
2. Red Nismo Engine cover kit
3. Stillen Sway Bars
4. Stillen or Nismo Headers
5. KW Ver3 Coilover system
6. H&R spacers
7. Stillen Oil cooler race version
8. AP Racing 4-Piston Big Brake Kits

Inside:
1. Gas & Brake , Touring SS pads
2. Auto-dim rearview mirror
3. Illuminated Z kick plates
4. Rear Fog Lamp
5.Floor-mats with large red "Z" largo 's front and hatch

Out side :
1. Stillen,Front Fascia or Front Splitter?
2. Stillen, 3-Piece Mesh Grille for Front Fascia
3. Stillen Roof wing?
4. Volks SF Winning Black 19" Forged Alloy Wheels

Security :
1. Blinder M27 X-Treme
2. Viper Security System