Fast Intentions w/18" Resonators Impressions + Video

Nixlimited

I installed my FI exhaust this weekend with 18" resonators. Here are my early impressions and a video.

Packaging: Came in one large box and everything was bubble wrapped and taped very securely. Even though I believe UPS could ruin anything, this packaging should survive all but the worst (think Jim Carrey in Ace Ventura) delivery man.

Quality: Everything looked awesome. As others have noted, the welds appear to be ground down on the inside of the pipes which should make for the smoothest flow possible. I didn't have any dings or scratches, and the bends looked great.

Install: Honestly, I spent an hour getting my old exhaust off due to several uncooperative bolts, and about 15 minutes getting the FI on. The install was very straight forward and due to the tight tolerances FI obviously keeps, everything went together smoothly. Highly recommend having an impact hammer with a variety of extensions including wobbly headed extensions. Should help get to tight OEM bolts and nuts. For the install part, I would suggest installing the hangers on the exhaust pieces before bolting everything up. Made it easier once everything was together. One thing to note regarding tip spacing at the rear. When I first installed my right tip was a bit higher than my left. Per the instructions, I shimmed it down with two washers, which made it perfect. Then I drove around a bit and when I came back, now the right slightly lower by about a mm. So, lesson learned, give it a quick spin and let everything settle before adjusting. The instructions probably say that, but I honestly didn't really read them.

Sound: I have the 18" resonators and the exhaust note is fantastic. It's very, very reasonable at both idle and kicking around town. You get a bit more cabin noise, as is to be expected, but I haven't noticed any obvious or unbearable drone. To be 100% honest, I am wondering if I should have gone with the 12" resonators since I have had past cars with fairly agressive exhausts and this is the most sedate. I'm not at all disappointed with what I have, but I wouldn't mind a little more of a good thing! I think the car sounds a bit like a BPU Supra now, sans the turbo noise (which i hope to remedy in the future ).

Constructive feedback: The only thing I would change about the kit is the hardware. I am, of course, very happy to support American made products, but it is a bit annoying to have to get out 2x the tools because all the OEM hardware is metric and all the hardware that comes with the FI is English. Very small suggestion. Likewise, I could have used a bit more heat wrap for the gas purge line. The bit I got barely fit around the line and even though I am sure there is nothing to worry about, I would have preferred to wrap more of it. With that said, the fact that heat wrap comes at all was impressive to me.

Thanks Tony and FI for a great product!

And here's the video:

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Car Sold! Pleasure being a part of the Z community.
New ride: 2015 GT-R - 647 WHP / 641 WTQ (e85) & 543 WHP / 519 WTQ (91)

Trips

Nice to see Another satisfied customer

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jpritche

Hats off to F.I.

It is good to hear that you are satisfied. I have the 12" and I love it. I sometimes wonder if I want the non-resonated

Z_Girl

That's went for!...Hurry up June, I'm ready for my install apt!

Trips

Op, I had fixed it for you already, anyway its fixed

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XwChriswX

It's not the 12" Resonators you need, it's the Long Tube Headers.

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Bonnie - Stage 2, Audio build coming this fall!
R.I.P. Abby 3/29/10 - 3/30/14

jpritche

Sounds AMAZING on Cwis' car!

XwChriswX

Thanks bud.

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Bonnie - Stage 2, Audio build coming this fall!
R.I.P. Abby 3/29/10 - 3/30/14

jpritche

Anytime man. Tried to give you rep for badass headers...but it wouldn't let me hahah

Nixlimited

Haha. As I plan to go with a SC kit sometime this year, the LTH are not the best option for me. Were I staying NA, that would be next.

__________________
Car Sold! Pleasure being a part of the Z community.
New ride: 2015 GT-R - 647 WHP / 641 WTQ (e85) & 543 WHP / 519 WTQ (91)

Omikron

I am pondering these myself since I have the 12" FI now. How bad is the smell with no Cat?

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XwChriswX

Why would these not be better for an SC?

More Flow = More Power.


You don't really smell it at all, even standing behind it at idle. During any driving you won't notice it. When you pull up to a stop, if you have the windows down you get a nice waft of it, just a hint to remind you, you're not stock. But not so obnoxious that you can't breathe. I like it.

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Bonnie - Stage 2, Audio build coming this fall!
R.I.P. Abby 3/29/10 - 3/30/14

Omikron

Well you do have a gas mask on though...

Just kidding, thanks.

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Nixlimited

Nice! As of 2013, my car will not longer be distinguishable ... damn it.

I agree that more flow = more power. I should have been more clear. Three things are keeping me away from LTHs: (1) the possibility that I may go turbo instead; (2) the fact that I am in CA and going catless here is asking for trouble; and (3) as has been discussed on here, the GTM SC kit and LTHs have not been shown to work great together.

__________________
Car Sold! Pleasure being a part of the Z community.
New ride: 2015 GT-R - 647 WHP / 641 WTQ (e85) & 543 WHP / 519 WTQ (91)

The Dimer

That's why I settled on the 18" when I ordered mine.

There is a guy here in Chicago that has 18" resonators with long tube headers. I asked him about them on ChicagoZ and he said that it's not that bad, even while sitting at a stop light. I hope to be able to find him at a meet to decide for myself.