Review: Stillen Catback Exhaust

Pointman · 10-06-2009, 01:16 PM

I would love to see and hear a side by side exhaust comparison. Several 370's with the different hfc's and back or just cat back exhuast systems side by side rev'd upped, launched etc... filmed by the same video camera at the same location, one after another. That video would help those on fence choose which direction they would like to go. IMO anyway.

2 days until a nice big box from FI arrives at my house. I fell off the fence a couple weeks ago. HFC's w/ 18" CF res

chotyme · 10-07-2009, 01:48 PM

Nice review and the exhaust looks great! I gotta hear that thing in person.

spearfish25 · 10-07-2009, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chotyme

Nice review and the exhaust looks great! I gotta hear that thing in person.

Hoping to meet another forum member by Brookfield Zoo on Sunday afternoon if traffic permits after the Chicago Marathon. Let me know if you're interested in stopping by.

6MT · 10-07-2009, 05:15 PM

Great review. I have to agree with all of your observations. I have the Stillen HFC's with the Stillen CBE. I had zero fit & finish issues. And like you said, maybe certain people were installing the pipe upsidedown (?). I love the sound (rumble). Although at certain RPM's, the resonance can annoy my old ears. But a full throttle burn reminds me of some of life's great pleasures. The match between the Stillen HFC's & their CBE is perfect (IMO). I've heard the FI exhaust, and to me it sounds like a raspy rice-burner (like an SI Civic with a large "can" muffler).

The customer service that Kyle at Stillen provided me was second to none. To me, it's a no-brainer. With the experience I had with them, it's a shame everytime I see someone who "bad-mouths" Stillen and their products.

(Please don't flame me for my opinions)

spearfish25 · 10-07-2009, 05:55 PM

Of course my mind is starting to ponder HFCs to go with the catback...just wonder what it would sound like

. I'm 100% happy with the current sound though.

semtex · 10-08-2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Of course my mind is starting to ponder HFCs to go with the catback...just wonder what it would sound like

. I'm 100% happy with the current sound though.

Why do you need to wonder what this would sound like when I've provided vid clips with this combo, both inside and out?

spearfish25 · 10-08-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

Why do you need to wonder what this would sound like when I've provided vid clips with this combo, both inside and out?

It's no slight to you. Unfortunatley I've found the sound in videos to be more difficult to judge and not always comparable to a first person experience.

semtex · 10-08-2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

It's no slight to you. Unfortunatley I've found the sound in videos to be more difficult to judge and not always comparable to a first person experience.

Oh I didn't take it as a slight. Just wanted to make sure you hadn't forgotten that they existed, in case they could be of help. And you're right, there's no real substitute for hearing the real thing up close and personal.

m4a1mustang · 10-07-2009, 06:06 PM

IMO the Stillen + HFCs is way too raspy.

spearfish25 · 10-07-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

IMO the Stillen + HFCs is way too raspy.

I can't remember...did you have that setup? My feeling currently is that the Stillen CBE alone is plenty loud (as loud as I want at WOT) and sounds nice. Adding HFCs will only make it louder and probably go beyond my ideal threshold. From what I've read here, HFCs can make a dull exhaust sound more sporty but an already nice sounding exhaust loses its qualities with HFCs added.

I however would love to find someone with a Stillen CBE and some HFCs to compare my car to directly in person. Someone drive up to Chicago!

6MT · 10-08-2009, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

IMO the Stillen + HFCs is way too raspy.

I have to disagree. The Stillen HFC's with their CBE does not sound "raspy" IMO. The Fast Intentions CBE with the Berk HFC's has got to be the raspiest sound I have heard on a 370. I've heard both live, and I just love the Stillen set-up. I think the Stillen has a rumble and the FI is raspy. To the point of sounding like a riced-up Civic or WRX.

But, to each his own...

EDIT: btw, I won't be drawn into any arguements on this "subjective" thread. Like I said above "to each their own".

m4a1mustang · 10-08-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6MT

I have to disagree. The Stillen HFC's with their CBE does not sound "raspy" IMO. The Fast Intentions CBE with the Berk HFC's has got to be the raspiest sound I have heard on a 370. I've heard both live, and I just love the Stillen set-up. I think the Stillen has a rumble and the FI is raspy. To the point of sounding like a riced-up Civic or WRX.

But, to each his own...

EDIT: btw, I won't be drawn into any arguements on this "subjective" thread. Like I said above "to each their own".

I should note that my opinion is based on hearing a 370 in person with Stillen headers, berk HFCs, and stillen CBE. I have video of said Z, and in my opinion it is raspy.

semtex · 10-08-2009, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

I should note that my opinion is based on hearing a 370 in person with Stillen headers, berk HFCs, and stillen CBE. I have video of said Z, and in my opinion it is raspy.

Maybe it'd help if you guys define/describe what you mean by "rasp." You know, just to make sure you're talking about the same thing. Stuff like this is subjective enough without having to deal with the possibility that people are using the same word to describe different things, ya know? To me, rasp is a 'tinny', metallic sound. I almost picture BBs rattling around in a tin can. That type of sound. Is that what you guys mean as well?

FricFrac · 10-08-2009, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

Maybe it'd help if you guys define/describe what you mean by "rasp." You know, just to make sure you're talking about the same thing. Stuff like this is subjective enough without having to deal with the possibility that people are using the same word to describe different things, ya know? To me, rasp is a 'tinny', metallic sound. I almost picture BBs rattling around in a tin can. That type of sound. Is that what you guys mean as well?

Tinny BB sound = rasp. Some of the early fitments had rubbing issues that were fixable. I have the Stillen CAI, CBE and HFC. I had a bit of rasp when it was cold when I first had them installed but once the exhaust had been heat cycled several times the rasp is gone. Every exhaust system I've ever had need at least 1000 miles or more to "seatle" in/blow out glass, etc. I think personally with just the CBE would be too mellow for me and that was my main concern with the Stillen - performance gain is excellent but its fairly quiet. With the HFC it sounds fantastic and I get endless compliments on the exhaust. Not only that but people constantly are asking me were you at so-and-so at such-and-such a time. I'll say yes and they'll tell me "oh I thought that was you - I heard your car driving by". I even get friends texting me telling me they heard me drive by "damn that thing sounds sweet", etc. This is a well loved exhaust note! I get compliments from the R8, Porsche, Lambo, Ferrari, etc, etc ,etc drivers all the time. Next to the looks of the car that's the most commented item on the car.

I'm happy with it 8)

6MT · 10-08-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

To me, rasp is a 'tinny', metallic sound. I almost picture BBs rattling around in a tin can. That type of sound. Is that what you guys mean as well?

yes

10-06-2009, 01:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
Pointman Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 128 Drives: 370Z Sport/Tour Nav Rep Power: 276	I would love to see and hear a side by side exhaust comparison. Several 370's with the different hfc's and back or just cat back exhuast systems side by side rev'd upped, launched etc... filmed by the same video camera at the same location, one after another. That video would help those on fence choose which direction they would like to go. IMO anyway. 2 days until a nice big box from FI arrives at my house. I fell off the fence a couple weeks ago. HFC's w/ 18" CF res __________________ JTTF SQ8

10-07-2009, 05:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
6MT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: ITU Zone 2 Posts: 22,459 Drives: Reliant Robin Rep Power: 1791	Great review. I have to agree with all of your observations. I have the Stillen HFC's with the Stillen CBE. I had zero fit & finish issues. And like you said, maybe certain people were installing the pipe upsidedown (?). I love the sound (rumble). Although at certain RPM's, the resonance can annoy my old ears. But a full throttle burn reminds me of some of life's great pleasures. The match between the Stillen HFC's & their CBE is perfect (IMO). I've heard the FI exhaust, and to me it sounds like a raspy rice-burner (like an SI Civic with a large "can" muffler). The customer service that Kyle at Stillen provided me was second to none. To me, it's a no-brainer. With the experience I had with them, it's a shame everytime I see someone who "bad-mouths" Stillen and their products. (Please don't flame me for my opinions) __________________ Andrew 2009 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT sold 2013 Honda Civic Si coupe D/D Last edited by 6MT; 10-07-2009 at 05:33 PM.

10-07-2009, 05:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1857	Of course my mind is starting to ponder HFCs to go with the catback...just wonder what it would sound like . I'm 100% happy with the current sound though. Last edited by spearfish25; 10-07-2009 at 08:51 PM.

10-07-2009, 06:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6963	IMO the Stillen + HFCs is way too raspy. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

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10-07-2009, 01:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
chotyme Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: chicago, il Posts: 41 Drives: 09 370 mag blk 7A Rep Power: 17	Nice review and the exhaust looks great! I gotta hear that thing in person.