theDreamer's Z

theDreamer · 03-09-2010, 09:22 AM

Glad to hear someone likes them, I am still 50/50 on the stock wheels.
I got the exhaust yesterday night, sorry.

theDreamer · 03-09-2010, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

Your enthusiasm seems to be withheld. Was it because of the extended wait for the exhaust? Maybe just didn't feel like using "!!!!" at the end of everything?

I was very excited to finally get it, it lived up to what I want.
Tough call on was it worth the wait. I like the fact it looks stock (no crazy burned tips or crazy mufflers sticking down), it sounds great, and the price was perfect. In the end Berk got a huge winning combo here, and I think now that it is officially out it will be worth it but the waiting not so much.

Matt · 03-09-2010, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

I was very excited to finally get it, it lived up to what I want.
Tough call on was it worth the wait. I like the fact it looks stock (no crazy burned tips or crazy mufflers sticking down), it sounds great, and the price was perfect. In the end Berk got a huge winning combo here, and I think now that it is officially out it will be worth it but the waiting not so much.

I think I understand you. With similar sounds/gains from FI, Stillen, etc....I'm guessing a 7-9 month wait sort of makes you scratch your head.

I think the "stock look" will be a selling point for some, and a drawback for others. The tuner look of the FI exhaust is definitely eye-pleasing, but personally, I'd rather have the look of the Nismo/Berk exhaust.

Can't wait for more updates from you.

theDreamer · 03-09-2010, 09:51 AM

There is a dyno day in Houston coming up which I will be attending, but I have no baseline from this place so it will be more about just seeing where the car is currently. Once the Long tube headers are on the car I will be going back to where I got my baseline which will give a nice comparison for this car.

rednek01 · 03-09-2010, 10:35 AM

The installation was a breeze! If I had a lift I would have had the exhaust on in less than an hour.

The fit and finish is great on the exhaust all the welds look great.

The passenger side tip hung about 1/2" lower than the drivers side when it was all said and done which could be caused by a number of reasons, but we simply put spacers between the drivers side hanger and it lowered the tip enough that they are now even.

As far as the sound it is a huge improvement over stock, but personally I found it still to be way too quiet. Granted I don't want open header loud, but I was expecting a louder exhaust note and wasn't totally impressed with it. I liked it much better when we just played with deleting the muffler.

For those of you getting ready to install your exhaust be prepared to bust a sweat getting the stock nuts loose on the exhaust. I had a ratchet and a piece of pipe to extend the handle and put more torque on the bolts. I even broke a craftsman deep socket on one of the bolts. Use some penetrating stuff like PB blaster to make this process a little easier. and if you have it put some anti-seize on the supplied nuts and bolts to prevent them from sticking in the future.

You will need a deep 14mm socket and if you remove the exhaust hangers a 12mm socket and extensions where necessary.

Remember when putting the new exhaust in get it all bolted together and installed before tightening it down I have always found that makes it much easier than trying to fight something you just tightened down or having to go back and loosen it for that extra bit of movement.

Also you are supplied nuts and bolts for the very front connection (just behind the cats) but rather than trying to get the pressed in studs out of the cat pipe I just reused the stock nuts on this connection.

Hope this helps everyone who has or is getting this exhaust. If there are any install questions feel free to pm me.

JB-370z · 03-09-2010, 11:34 AM

Where are you going to dyno it? 40 dollar dynos on the 28th I think. I am going to buy the B&M short shifter and I was hoping I could look at yours at some point so see if I like it. I bet your car is going to sound good with the long tube setup. You should get some nice gains out of them too.
The Cobb tuning device is somthing to look into, if you plan on sticking with NA.
Keep up the nice work THeDREAMEr!!

theDreamer · 03-09-2010, 01:03 PM

I should be at that dyno day (cheap and my main purpose is the A/F readings).
You can check out the shifter, I think you will like it.

370zdub · 03-09-2010, 01:21 PM

You don't have HFC's right dreamer?

370zdub · 03-09-2010, 01:23 PM

I'm actually saddened a bit to hear that it isn't very loud, not that I want my car to be obnoxious but when I'm running the car hard I like to have everything off so I can hear my car work, it puts me more in tune with the driving experience. Oh well hopefully it burns in and wakes up.

theDreamer · 03-09-2010, 01:25 PM

Hopefully it will wake up a bit more, but I do not have HFCs currently also which I think is still a huge limiting factor for me. Though I am going LTH so I will have to enjoy this for now until then.

370zdub · 03-09-2010, 01:28 PM

The LTH's are going to be so cool, I'm pumped to hear your set up when you finally have it all together. Your exhaust combo + a good tune should = WIN!

P.S. are you just a fan of waiting for exhaust parts or was that not planned? jk dreamer.

theDreamer · 03-09-2010, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370zdub

The LTH's are going to be so cool, I'm pumped to hear your set up when you finally have it all together. Your exhaust combo + a good tune should = WIN!

P.S. are you just a fan of waiting for exhaust parts or was that not planned? jk dreamer.

The CBE was not planned, and I knew going into the LTHs that it would be around April when I ordered in January.

370zdub · 03-09-2010, 01:32 PM

I am actually amazed at how calm most people kept about the delays, I would not have been as upset if they hadn't said it would be to us in September when we did the first GB.

Oh ya +1 rep for the review! thanks

JB-370z · 03-09-2010, 02:49 PM

If that happened to me I would have just went turbo! I am going to sell all my current engine mods to accomodate turbo exhaust. Hope they sell well or I am going to have some expensive garage ornaments.

theDreamer · 03-09-2010, 02:54 PM

I almost jumped to another exhaust, but none fit 100% of my requirements so I was sort of stuck.
I have no plans for forced induction for awhile (two or three years at least), will wait first for the base warranty to run out and give all the forced induction kits time to pan out to those who want them now. Plus I am pretty happy with the power I have now (plus a little more I get soon), so no need for more power.

03-09-2010, 09:22 AM	#136 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4210	Glad to hear someone likes them, I am still 50/50 on the stock wheels. I got the exhaust yesterday night, sorry. __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

03-09-2010, 09:51 AM	#139 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4210	There is a dyno day in Houston coming up which I will be attending, but I have no baseline from this place so it will be more about just seeing where the car is currently. Once the Long tube headers are on the car I will be going back to where I got my baseline which will give a nice comparison for this car. __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

03-09-2010, 10:35 AM	#140 (permalink)
rednek01 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 352 Drives: Mustang GT Rep Power: 237	The installation was a breeze! If I had a lift I would have had the exhaust on in less than an hour. The fit and finish is great on the exhaust all the welds look great. The passenger side tip hung about 1/2" lower than the drivers side when it was all said and done which could be caused by a number of reasons, but we simply put spacers between the drivers side hanger and it lowered the tip enough that they are now even. As far as the sound it is a huge improvement over stock, but personally I found it still to be way too quiet. Granted I don't want open header loud, but I was expecting a louder exhaust note and wasn't totally impressed with it. I liked it much better when we just played with deleting the muffler. For those of you getting ready to install your exhaust be prepared to bust a sweat getting the stock nuts loose on the exhaust. I had a ratchet and a piece of pipe to extend the handle and put more torque on the bolts. I even broke a craftsman deep socket on one of the bolts. Use some penetrating stuff like PB blaster to make this process a little easier. and if you have it put some anti-seize on the supplied nuts and bolts to prevent them from sticking in the future. You will need a deep 14mm socket and if you remove the exhaust hangers a 12mm socket and extensions where necessary. Remember when putting the new exhaust in get it all bolted together and installed before tightening it down I have always found that makes it much easier than trying to fight something you just tightened down or having to go back and loosen it for that extra bit of movement. Also you are supplied nuts and bolts for the very front connection (just behind the cats) but rather than trying to get the pressed in studs out of the cat pipe I just reused the stock nuts on this connection. Hope this helps everyone who has or is getting this exhaust. If there are any install questions feel free to pm me. __________________ Project オレンジ 2009 (FUGLY) Grabber Orange Mustang GT // SLP loudmouth axle back // JLT intake // BamaChips Tunes // ... TheDreamer's personal mechanic Last edited by rednek01; 03-09-2010 at 10:39 AM.

03-09-2010, 11:34 AM	#141 (permalink)
JB-370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 1,859 Drives: Stage 2 Twin Turbos Rep Power: 19	Where are you going to dyno it? 40 dollar dynos on the 28th I think. I am going to buy the B&M short shifter and I was hoping I could look at yours at some point so see if I like it. I bet your car is going to sound good with the long tube setup. You should get some nice gains out of them too. The Cobb tuning device is somthing to look into, if you plan on sticking with NA. Keep up the nice work THeDREAMEr!! __________________ ll Baker Tuning ll GTM ll Powerhouse Amuse ll HKS ll Up-Rev ll iForged ll AP Racing ll Pioneer ll SPL ll Bride ll Top Secret ll OS Giken ll GTM Stage 2 Twin Turboed 370z (First in Texas, Thanks To Baker Tuning)

03-09-2010, 01:03 PM	#142 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4210	I should be at that dyno day (cheap and my main purpose is the A/F readings). You can check out the shifter, I think you will like it. __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

03-09-2010, 01:21 PM	#143 (permalink)
370zdub Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: UT Posts: 628 Drives: 09 370z 6mt,10 Ford Rep Power: 16	You don't have HFC's right dreamer? __________________ 2010 Ford 6.4L Power Stroke Diesel: 588whp/1082wtrq 2007 Dodge 6.7L Cummins Diesel: 788whp/1405wtrq, runs 12's @ 7400lbs, Still miss my 370z!

03-09-2010, 01:23 PM	#144 (permalink)
370zdub Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: UT Posts: 628 Drives: 09 370z 6mt,10 Ford Rep Power: 16	I'm actually saddened a bit to hear that it isn't very loud, not that I want my car to be obnoxious but when I'm running the car hard I like to have everything off so I can hear my car work, it puts me more in tune with the driving experience. Oh well hopefully it burns in and wakes up. __________________ 2010 Ford 6.4L Power Stroke Diesel: 588whp/1082wtrq 2007 Dodge 6.7L Cummins Diesel: 788whp/1405wtrq, runs 12's @ 7400lbs, Still miss my 370z!

03-09-2010, 01:25 PM	#145 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4210	Hopefully it will wake up a bit more, but I do not have HFCs currently also which I think is still a huge limiting factor for me. Though I am going LTH so I will have to enjoy this for now until then. __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

03-09-2010, 01:28 PM	#146 (permalink)
370zdub Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: UT Posts: 628 Drives: 09 370z 6mt,10 Ford Rep Power: 16	The LTH's are going to be so cool, I'm pumped to hear your set up when you finally have it all together. Your exhaust combo + a good tune should = WIN! P.S. are you just a fan of waiting for exhaust parts or was that not planned? jk dreamer. __________________ 2010 Ford 6.4L Power Stroke Diesel: 588whp/1082wtrq 2007 Dodge 6.7L Cummins Diesel: 788whp/1405wtrq, runs 12's @ 7400lbs, Still miss my 370z!

03-09-2010, 01:32 PM	#148 (permalink)
370zdub Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: UT Posts: 628 Drives: 09 370z 6mt,10 Ford Rep Power: 16	I am actually amazed at how calm most people kept about the delays, I would not have been as upset if they hadn't said it would be to us in September when we did the first GB. Oh ya +1 rep for the review! thanks __________________ 2010 Ford 6.4L Power Stroke Diesel: 588whp/1082wtrq 2007 Dodge 6.7L Cummins Diesel: 788whp/1405wtrq, runs 12's @ 7400lbs, Still miss my 370z!

03-09-2010, 02:49 PM	#149 (permalink)
JB-370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 1,859 Drives: Stage 2 Twin Turbos Rep Power: 19	If that happened to me I would have just went turbo! I am going to sell all my current engine mods to accomodate turbo exhaust. Hope they sell well or I am going to have some expensive garage ornaments. __________________ ll Baker Tuning ll GTM ll Powerhouse Amuse ll HKS ll Up-Rev ll iForged ll AP Racing ll Pioneer ll SPL ll Bride ll Top Secret ll OS Giken ll GTM Stage 2 Twin Turboed 370z (First in Texas, Thanks To Baker Tuning)

03-09-2010, 02:54 PM	#150 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4210	I almost jumped to another exhaust, but none fit 100% of my requirements so I was sort of stuck. I have no plans for forced induction for awhile (two or three years at least), will wait first for the base warranty to run out and give all the forced induction kits time to pan out to those who want them now. Plus I am pretty happy with the power I have now (plus a little more I get soon), so no need for more power. __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram