Thanks for the positive feedback FP. I just edited my response to include the answer to the "salt" question.

-Tony

Thanks for the replies. Other quick question, how does this thing hold up to sudden incline and declines? The mufflers look like they pop out a bit more than the Stillen muffler setup. Will they bottom out if I am not extra careful?

If you are lowered, you might have issues on speed bumps or rising driveways that level off sharply. Those needed to be taken at an angle. The lowest point of the exhaust are the bottoms of cans and they are no lower then the lowest point of the vehicle. FI has done some custom work by installing small skid places on the bottom of the SS cans. I am sure they can do it again, should you desire. These plates can not be installed on CF cans for obvious reasons.

I'm eyeing the carbon fiber, it would look sick on the Gun Metallic color I think. Curious as to how the CF would hold up vs salt and snow though. The original option might do better?

Stock height, not dropped at all but was just curious since I tend to drive through some hilly areas in my daily driving. The Z is my daily driver :)

I daily mine, CF set up and have zero issue on stock height. I go over the usual speed bumps at work and neighborhood, as long as you take them slow you shouldnt have any problem.

Same here.

Carbon Fiber Mufflers do look great on Gun Metallic. I had the same combination on my Gunmetal G37 Coupe. :tup:

Our Cat Back Exhaust uses all 304 stainless steel tubing. Our resonators, mufflers and tips are also 304 stainless steel. The flanges are mild steel and are nickel plated. All of this will hold up to salt and snow just fine.

We have designed our exhaust to hang no longer than the factory exhaust system at its lowest point.

- Kevin

I'm just wondering how the actual carbon fiber muffler will hold up to the snow/ice. Does CF deteriorate with those conditions? If so, I am thinking of going with the 12" resonator setup and then painting muffler black.

I do believe on the turbo kit there's the option for the 3" exhaust with the black ceramic thermal coating. could be an option for the 2.5" CBE? probably need to ask tony about that one.

I'm not familiar with FI's processes or actual material specs used on the CF mufflers, but I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night. To answer your question, no CF does not deteriorate or warp in icy conditions.

To go a step further, based on the application, my guess is that these mufflers are carbon fiber reinforced ceramics. This is the same type of material used on heat shields of space vehicles. They can handle the frigid temperatures of space and the extremely high temperatures of re-entry through the atmosphere. The ceramic portion of the composite matrix prevents galvanic corrosion between the carbon fiber and stainless steel components of the exhaust. It appears that the muffler is resin coated (smooth glossy clear finish) for anyone worried about mechanical failure due to the difference in the CTE (coefficient of thermal expansion) between the carbon fiber and stainless steel.

i'm definitely staying at a holiday inn next time

I lucked into picking up a used F.I. 18" CBE from a forum member here. On it's way to me now. I'm going to be ordering up a new gasket/hardware set from F.I. for the install. I got some Chemical Guys Metal Polish as well to clean it up. Anything else I need to know or do before putting this bad boy on?

the muffler "cans" are CF shells with SS ends. most people I talk to about my exhaust think its just some mufflers wrapped in a CF shell.

but as for them holding up I agree with this guy. they are pretty tough. I may not have driven in winter but I've had mine on for about 30K miles prior to removing my mufflers for straight pipes. only marks on mine so far are small chips in the clear coat from rocks. no dents, breaks, cracks, etc...

My guess is that the cans are stainless steel wrapped with the composite material which makes the thermal expansion part interesting. I'm sure they cycle tested these things. Easy test would be to just pick them up. If they were just hollow skins, I'm sure they would advertise the weight difference to help justify the $300 difference.

EDIT: Wow. They do advertise it. SS cans make the system 47lb. CF 41lb. From what I can see it looks like maybe the composite skins are just wedged over flanges extruding from each end of the SS sandwiching it. That would be a smart design because bolting it or attaching it in any rigid way would introduce compressive loads in the exhaust during warm up. Carbon fiber structures are amazing in tension and horrible in compression.

actually im pretty positive its just a CF shell capped by SS butt plates.

tony, correct me if i'm wrong please.