Probably a dumb question re: bolt-ons
 

I was about to install berk HFCs and stillen ceramic headers and eventually do a FI exhaust on down the road when I get tired of the stock nismo.

Just read somewhere that the FI system doesn't require the headers at all and isn't parted out so buying headers/HFCs might be a total waste.

Am I misunderstanding?

I don't know if i understand your question. You don't need headers or HFC's to have a carback exhaust. You can do one part or any combo of these parts.

I sure wouldn't waste my money on headers.

Not shorty headers, but the long tubes give a bit of power and lose a good bit of weight.

I supposed that's true. You wouldn't be able to do that and HFCs though.

Yeah the LTH takes the place of the stock cats and exhaust manifold.

Not completely true. You can't have HFC's in it's normal location. You can have HFC's with eith the Motordyne M370 /E370 exhaust, the Motordyne XYZ Y pipe with HFC option, or Fast Intentions exhaust with the HFC option. But yes, Long tube headers is the only way to go, shorties aren't worth it for this vehicle. It comes with shorties from the factory.

I forgot about moving the cat down stream, but it's it just one and not two cats?

Motordyne uses one CAT, F.I. uses two

Cool deal good to know.

So Stillen ceramic coated long tube headers, berk HFCs and a FI catback exhaust is a feasible setup or no? Sorry, pretend I'm an idiot

(or maybe you don't have to pretend, I'm really new at this)

Maybe I should start over. My goal here is more power and a nicer sound.

I have a 2012 nismo.
-Not crazy about the exhaust.
-Already have a Stillen G3 long tube intake installed

-Really like the noise on HFCs but test pipes are just too much for a street car (at least in my neighborhood).

-Figured I'd do the headers at the same time I did the HFCs to save time and money.

-After the HFCs are installed I'm going to need an uprev tune because my low-end is gonna suck.

-Sooner or later I'm going to swap out the stock NISMO exhaust because i'm not crazy about the exhaust note and I'm not convinced any of the others add significant HP gains. Love the sounds of the FI exhaust, also like the Stillen system but FI is lighter and apparently more durable/reliable.


Aside from "please kill yourself" - suggested course of action?

I would just go with the headers. You can always quiet them down by going with a quieter exhaust. Especially if you plan to run cats. F.I headers, exhaust with cats and 18 inch resonators has volume, but not obnoxious. I have PPE headers (loud and raspy) with the Tanabe exhaust (quiet and smooth). I finished it off using Motordyne's Y pipe and cat. It's not loud during normal driving, but at WOT, she screams like a banshee, volume control is now with my foot.

I meant HFCs instead of test pipes. So you're saying the stillen long tube headers + HFCs + FI exhaust is viable?
Also yes, 18" resonators on the exhaust fo-sho.

Again, apologies but I'm really new at this and I'm not entirely sure what replaces what.

Ok ready,., I if it where me wouldnt waste my $$$ on headers they are a PIA if you do it yourself or the cost to pay someone to install them is not worth the gain, If you have GEN 3's already, Get a cat back and I tune, you be close to 300 WHP and a good 245-255 WHTQ( Assuming you have a manual). When you get tired of that go FI if you want, But headers and HFC's are waste of $$$ to me. I made 298 WHP and 240 WHTQ on a mustang dyno, Auto 7 spd X Coupe, With Gen 3's, cat back and tune, stock cats and manifolds,

My sig numbers are of course FI, cat back ,Stock cats and manifolds.

Ok did some reading and I see the problem. The stillen headers are "shorties". The FI headers are an entirely different animal.

I think I'm gonna just do berk HFCs and the FI catback + uprev tune and be done with it (for now anyway)

Yep it's a manual. I think you're probably right about the headers plus you run the risk of annoying/destroying the 02 sensors if you swap out headers.

Looking like FI catback exhaust + berk HFCs will be the way I go unless someone sees a huge problem with that setup.

Berk HFC's and FI CBE is a great sounding combo you will love it.

Thanks again. Answered my question.

Man I dunno what I'd do without this forum. Had berk the stillen headers and berk HFCs ready to ship which probably would have been underwhelming.