Fast Intentions/Berk HFCs combo ?
Fast Intentions/Berk HFCs combo ?
I have this problem with the Fast Intentions exhaust I had installed yesterday.
Took it to a shop after wards and they found a leak at the front of the resonator.
After that was fixed, the 87' rusted out Beretta noise was gone but now I have this tinny resonated drone sound at some RPMs.
Before I left the shop the guy asked if we used any gaskets. I said of course. Then he mentioned I should use some gasket sealer. Do you guys think that would help solve my issue?
Or do you think its how Fast Intentions exhausts sound with Berk HFCs?
Took it to a shop after wards and they found a leak at the front of the resonator.
After that was fixed, the 87' rusted out Beretta noise was gone but now I have this tinny resonated drone sound at some RPMs.
Before I left the shop the guy asked if we used any gaskets. I said of course. Then he mentioned I should use some gasket sealer. Do you guys think that would help solve my issue?
Or do you think its how Fast Intentions exhausts sound with Berk HFCs?
Fast Intentions should NOT sound like that with cats. The gasket sealer idea may help but also check the clearance around the cats. I personally had the heat shield above my HFC rubbing.
If you have put some miles on the car since the install, you can unbolt the exhaust and see if there are any streaks visible on the gasket surface, as this may be an exhaust leak if thats what you suspect still. (its easier to see on the stock sandwich-plate-style gaskets)
Last, what rpm range do you hear this sound? At low rpms, the FI catback resonates and booms quite a bit.
If you have put some miles on the car since the install, you can unbolt the exhaust and see if there are any streaks visible on the gasket surface, as this may be an exhaust leak if thats what you suspect still. (its easier to see on the stock sandwich-plate-style gaskets)
Last, what rpm range do you hear this sound? At low rpms, the FI catback resonates and booms quite a bit.
I have a feeling it shouldn't sound this way either. Do you think it would help if I go with OEM gaskets to bolt onto the HFCs?
How did you determine that your noise came from your heat shield? As for miles, I got on the highway and did a quick drive around town after I left the shop. I'd say I drove like 5-6 miles or so afterwards. I heard the sound around 2.5-3K or so.
You're right about the exhaust booming sound. I think its kinda cool. The only part I don't like is the tinny/whine/resonated drone sound that comes on and off at that range. Its kinda like you take a tuning fork and hit it, hear it vibrate then grab it with your hand to make it stop.
I think I'll head back to the shop again this afternoon and see if they can unbolt the exhaust and look at the gaskets. I'm also thinking about heading to the dealership to pick up a couple OEM gaskets for the exhaust before I go to the shop.
How did you determine that your noise came from your heat shield? As for miles, I got on the highway and did a quick drive around town after I left the shop. I'd say I drove like 5-6 miles or so afterwards. I heard the sound around 2.5-3K or so.
You're right about the exhaust booming sound. I think its kinda cool. The only part I don't like is the tinny/whine/resonated drone sound that comes on and off at that range. Its kinda like you take a tuning fork and hit it, hear it vibrate then grab it with your hand to make it stop.
I think I'll head back to the shop again this afternoon and see if they can unbolt the exhaust and look at the gaskets. I'm also thinking about heading to the dealership to pick up a couple OEM gaskets for the exhaust before I go to the shop.
Fast Intentions should NOT sound like that with cats. The gasket sealer idea may help but also check the clearance around the cats. I personally had the heat shield above my HFC rubbing.
If you have put some miles on the car since the install, you can unbolt the exhaust and see if there are any streaks visible on the gasket surface, as this may be an exhaust leak if thats what you suspect still. (its easier to see on the stock sandwich-plate-style gaskets)
Last, what rpm range do you hear this sound? At low rpms, the FI catback resonates and booms quite a bit.
If you have put some miles on the car since the install, you can unbolt the exhaust and see if there are any streaks visible on the gasket surface, as this may be an exhaust leak if thats what you suspect still. (its easier to see on the stock sandwich-plate-style gaskets)
Last, what rpm range do you hear this sound? At low rpms, the FI catback resonates and booms quite a bit.
They torqued down the bolts with an impact gun. I'm thinking the gaskets shouldn't be bad since the exhaust is less than 2 years old?? They didn't look bad/rusted etc when the installer was putting them on in my garage. How long do gaskets last?
Gaskets are not a routine replacement item. They last forever.
Yeah I don't recall ever needing to have to replace gaskets on any of the cars I've owned in the past.
These gaskets looked fairly new if I recall. I guess I'll know for sure when I get to the shop again and check for the streaks like Intimazy said
These gaskets looked fairly new if I recall. I guess I'll know for sure when I get to the shop again and check for the streaks like Intimazy said
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The Nissan gaskets are really quite good and should be fine to reuse in most cases. The cardboard-like perforated gaskets are the ones to look out for, especially if you bottomed out recently.
The heatshield was more of a vibration noticable in the floor of the car particularly when decelerating in gear. I removed my cat heatshields entirely and have not seen any negative effects from it for over a year.
If the noise is like a "hiss" that only comes around when on the throttle itself regardless of speed, it may be the HFC's themselves. I can't speak on behalf of Berk, but the Kinetix cats I have "hiss" a bit when on the throttle.
Hopefully the shop can clear the issue up. Have them retorque everything again starting from the HFC and going back. I'm dealing with my exhaust resting against my swaybar currently after I ran over a healthy sized boulder in the middle of the road. (how do those even get there???)
Worst case, can you get a video of it?
The heatshield was more of a vibration noticable in the floor of the car particularly when decelerating in gear. I removed my cat heatshields entirely and have not seen any negative effects from it for over a year.
If the noise is like a "hiss" that only comes around when on the throttle itself regardless of speed, it may be the HFC's themselves. I can't speak on behalf of Berk, but the Kinetix cats I have "hiss" a bit when on the throttle.
Hopefully the shop can clear the issue up. Have them retorque everything again starting from the HFC and going back. I'm dealing with my exhaust resting against my swaybar currently after I ran over a healthy sized boulder in the middle of the road. (how do those even get there???)
Worst case, can you get a video of it?
When you say hiss, I know exactly what you're talking about. It sounds like deflating a balloon or something.
I had that sound with the stock exhaust, HR-Y pipe and Berk HFCs as well.
This sound is different. I'm about to grab my camera and record a clip or 2.
I'll have that posted up shortly. Hopefully we can pinpoint exactly what this sound is and come up with a solution.
Re torquing everything is exactly what I want them to do again. Can never be too safe.
I'll ask them to use gasket sealer and torque down all the bolts tight.
I had that sound with the stock exhaust, HR-Y pipe and Berk HFCs as well.
This sound is different. I'm about to grab my camera and record a clip or 2.
I'll have that posted up shortly. Hopefully we can pinpoint exactly what this sound is and come up with a solution.
Re torquing everything is exactly what I want them to do again. Can never be too safe.
I'll ask them to use gasket sealer and torque down all the bolts tight.
The Nissan gaskets are really quite good and should be fine to reuse in most cases. The cardboard-like perforated gaskets are the ones to look out for, especially if you bottomed out recently.
The heatshield was more of a vibration noticable in the floor of the car particularly when decelerating in gear. I removed my cat heatshields entirely and have not seen any negative effects from it for over a year.
If the noise is like a "hiss" that only comes around when on the throttle itself regardless of speed, it may be the HFC's themselves. I can't speak on behalf of Berk, but the Kinetix cats I have "hiss" a bit when on the throttle.
Hopefully the shop can clear the issue up. Have them retorque everything again starting from the HFC and going back. I'm dealing with my exhaust resting against my swaybar currently after I ran over a healthy sized boulder in the middle of the road. (how do those even get there???)
Worst case, can you get a video of it?
The heatshield was more of a vibration noticable in the floor of the car particularly when decelerating in gear. I removed my cat heatshields entirely and have not seen any negative effects from it for over a year.
If the noise is like a "hiss" that only comes around when on the throttle itself regardless of speed, it may be the HFC's themselves. I can't speak on behalf of Berk, but the Kinetix cats I have "hiss" a bit when on the throttle.
Hopefully the shop can clear the issue up. Have them retorque everything again starting from the HFC and going back. I'm dealing with my exhaust resting against my swaybar currently after I ran over a healthy sized boulder in the middle of the road. (how do those even get there???)
Worst case, can you get a video of it?
Well I got out there to record a clip or two. Good news is that I managed to drive the car around and see if I can duplicate the tinny resonated drone part.
Its been reduced somewhat. Now the bad news. This combo of Berk HFCs and FI exhaust is too LOUD for my taste. I think I'm going to sell it soon and just go back to the stock exhaust again.
I started my car up in the garage earlier and totally forgot about the loud bassy boom my car greeted me with. Its a very clean sound but deeeeep and bassy if that makes sense.
This exhaust is definitely louder than stock. When I was driving, I was reminded of the drone as well. Its amplified and pronounced around 2-2.5K or so. A little too intrusive for me.
I recorded the clip of the cold start idle which I'm uploading right now. I'm going to rerecord a driving around clip soon as my camera's battery finishes charging up.
As for the tinny sound, its still there. Intimazy, you may be right. It definately feels like its something vibrating. Could be the shields you were talking about. The sound I hear is not a rattling sound but more of a tuning fork vibration then it goes away quickly.
It occurs when I accelerate in 3rd for sure
KS, how do find the drone and amplified volume of this exhaust/HFC combo?
Its been reduced somewhat. Now the bad news. This combo of Berk HFCs and FI exhaust is too LOUD for my taste. I think I'm going to sell it soon and just go back to the stock exhaust again.
I started my car up in the garage earlier and totally forgot about the loud bassy boom my car greeted me with. Its a very clean sound but deeeeep and bassy if that makes sense.
This exhaust is definitely louder than stock. When I was driving, I was reminded of the drone as well. Its amplified and pronounced around 2-2.5K or so. A little too intrusive for me.
I recorded the clip of the cold start idle which I'm uploading right now. I'm going to rerecord a driving around clip soon as my camera's battery finishes charging up.
As for the tinny sound, its still there. Intimazy, you may be right. It definately feels like its something vibrating. Could be the shields you were talking about. The sound I hear is not a rattling sound but more of a tuning fork vibration then it goes away quickly.
It occurs when I accelerate in 3rd for sure
KS, how do find the drone and amplified volume of this exhaust/HFC combo?
Last edited by tiguy99; Apr 20, 2009 at 01:42 PM.
Ok.. the video clip is ready....
<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i313.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid313.photobucket.com/albums/ll365/tiguy99/Berk%20HFC%20clips/MOV00480.flv">
Try to imagine this sound with a lot of bass. That's how loud it sounds in the garage. The camera does not do a good job of picking out the deep bass and increased volume.
I think this exhaust sounds very good. Maybe in the stock cats form I can really enjoy it but with the HFCs the volume's too much for me.
For someone else it may not be a problem. In person it kinda sounds like an R8. No joke
<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i313.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid313.photobucket.com/albums/ll365/tiguy99/Berk%20HFC%20clips/MOV00480.flv">
Try to imagine this sound with a lot of bass. That's how loud it sounds in the garage. The camera does not do a good job of picking out the deep bass and increased volume.
I think this exhaust sounds very good. Maybe in the stock cats form I can really enjoy it but with the HFCs the volume's too much for me.
For someone else it may not be a problem. In person it kinda sounds like an R8. No joke
Last edited by tiguy99; Apr 20, 2009 at 01:51 PM.
Yeah that's how I felt when I added my Berks to my Nismo exhaust. It went from sounding subtle to a damn race-car on a cold start!
But one year later I love the sound haha! IMO, you may be on the fence about the sound right now, but trust me give it some time. Then you won't even think about getting rid of the Berks (unless they crack haha)..
For some reason lately I've had this urge to get a single exhaust. The agency power to be specific.
But one year later I love the sound haha! IMO, you may be on the fence about the sound right now, but trust me give it some time. Then you won't even think about getting rid of the Berks (unless they crack haha)..
For some reason lately I've had this urge to get a single exhaust. The agency power to be specific.
I had a few exhaust setups before I settled on that FI exhaust. I ran it with headers + resonated TP's and then swapped out the TP's for HFC's. Either way sounds great. In fact most people didn't think I had test pipes since the exhaust was so quiet compared to other ones with test pipes.
I'd say keep it a little longer and see how you like it. Redline it a few times, you'll probably start liking it then.
I'd say keep it a little longer and see how you like it. Redline it a few times, you'll probably start liking it then.
Wow that is a really weird sound. You can definitely hear it in the beginning during the cold high-idle and during your blips. I don't think I have heard anything quite like that before. My best guess is with the passenger side exhaust pipe itself contacting the rear sway bar. Thats the closest to what mine sounded like but its a guess at this point.
The sound of that exhaust from 5-7k makes any potential downsides disappear
The sound of that exhaust from 5-7k makes any potential downsides disappear
I'm glad you're able to see what I meant earlier. I couldn't rev it like I wanted too because other people were in the garage at the time as well. What I will do is post an in cabin driving clip tomorrow so you can hear the exhaust in traffic. More in a bit
Ok guys I'm back. I've got the goods as well. Here are a few exhaust clips so you can see what it sounds like on my car in traffic
Driver window down
Excuse my tire pressure sensor going off at the beginning.
<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://s313.photobucket.com/flash/player.swf?file=http://vid313.photobucket.com/albums/ll365/tiguy99/Berk HFC clips/MOV00486.flv"></embed>
Driver window up
<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i313.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid313.photobucket.com/albums/ll365/tiguy99/Berk%20HFC%20clips/MOV00487.flv">
Window up again....excuse the long light
<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://s313.photobucket.com/flash/player.swf?file=http://vid313.photobucket.com/albums/ll365/tiguy99/Berk HFC clips/MOV00488.flv"></embed>
In this clip you can hear more of that sound I was talking about earlier. Its more prominent during my shifts....
I shifted like that in each clip on purpose so I can try and duplicate the sound I talked about earlier. Any questions, feel free to ask
Driver window down
Excuse my tire pressure sensor going off at the beginning.
<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://s313.photobucket.com/flash/player.swf?file=http://vid313.photobucket.com/albums/ll365/tiguy99/Berk HFC clips/MOV00486.flv"></embed>
Driver window up
<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i313.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid313.photobucket.com/albums/ll365/tiguy99/Berk%20HFC%20clips/MOV00487.flv">
Window up again....excuse the long light
<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://s313.photobucket.com/flash/player.swf?file=http://vid313.photobucket.com/albums/ll365/tiguy99/Berk HFC clips/MOV00488.flv"></embed>
In this clip you can hear more of that sound I was talking about earlier. Its more prominent during my shifts....
I shifted like that in each clip on purpose so I can try and duplicate the sound I talked about earlier. Any questions, feel free to ask
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berk, deceleration, diy, exhaust, fast, g35, gasket, hfcs, hissing, installers, intentions, make, noise, pipes, test, trailblazer
