Berk Metallic HFC Pros and Cons
04-07-2009, 03:55 PM
#1
ZL33PR
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Berk Metallic HFC Pros and Cons
Hey guys,
I've been doing some research on the Berk Metallic HFC for the 08/HR 350z, and thought that it would be good to get a thread started to get the more current/updated pros and cons of the HFC. I tried to find a thread where all of the pros and cons are centralized in one thread so that it would help with my purchasing decision, but found none. Hope this will provide the info that I (and other my350z members looking into getting the Berk HFC) need.
I'll start the list... feel free to add/remove items from the list. (with a good reason/argument of course).
Also please state your setup. Thanks!
PROS:
- OBDII & 49 state compliant
- High quality stainless steel part
- No CEL (Check Engine Light)
- No smell
- No rattle
- +10 hp
- Passes emissions test
- Good customer service from Berk Technology (Bryan) and Kyle (Import Parts Pro)
- Good price (Got it from Kyle at Import Parts Pro [IPP]. Thanks Chef-J! for the recommendation)
- Increases dB (loudness) and adds aggressive tone to exhaust sound
- Good fitment = Quality part (Only the brackets need to be adjusted slightly - almost perfect fitment... 90% there)
- Allows better airflow
- Fast shipment, good product availability
CONS:
- Hissing sound from exhaust
- CEL after 6 months (or after 4K-5K miles)
- Cracking issues (maybe true for the older Berk HFCs, but what about now?)
- Ceramic core/substrate (catalyst) burns out, melts, and/or gets dislodged after 13 months
- Smell/fumes
I've been doing some research on the Berk Metallic HFC for the 08/HR 350z, and thought that it would be good to get a thread started to get the more current/updated pros and cons of the HFC. I tried to find a thread where all of the pros and cons are centralized in one thread so that it would help with my purchasing decision, but found none. Hope this will provide the info that I (and other my350z members looking into getting the Berk HFC) need.
I'll start the list... feel free to add/remove items from the list. (with a good reason/argument of course).
Also please state your setup. Thanks!
PROS:
- OBDII & 49 state compliant
- High quality stainless steel part
- No CEL (Check Engine Light)
- No smell
- No rattle
- +10 hp
- Passes emissions test
- Good customer service from Berk Technology (Bryan) and Kyle (Import Parts Pro)
- Good price (Got it from Kyle at Import Parts Pro [IPP]. Thanks Chef-J! for the recommendation)
- Increases dB (loudness) and adds aggressive tone to exhaust sound
- Good fitment = Quality part (Only the brackets need to be adjusted slightly - almost perfect fitment... 90% there)
- Allows better airflow
- Fast shipment, good product availability
CONS:
- Hissing sound from exhaust
- CEL after 6 months (or after 4K-5K miles)
- Cracking issues (maybe true for the older Berk HFCs, but what about now?)
- Ceramic core/substrate (catalyst) burns out, melts, and/or gets dislodged after 13 months
- Smell/fumes
Last edited by xdrius; 04-24-2009 at 09:49 PM. Reason: update list in consideration of other members' posts and personal experience with product
04-07-2009, 04:39 PM
#2
well i don't have a HR, but im totally happy with my berks so far, no cracking, no CEL, no problems knock on wood....they have changed up the bracket and is supposed to prevent from cracking, and have the defoulers built in, i have absolutely no hiss or rasp on my car and it is vortech charged, clean sounding as can be matched with the nismo cat back...good luck im sure ull get some feedback from the HR guys
04-07-2009, 05:02 PM
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You forgot about the their price. 
Can't beat that.
Berks are really good company but they took so long time to ship mine out so i ended up cancel the order it.
chefj
Can't beat that. Berks are really good company but they took so long time to ship mine out so i ended up cancel the order it.
chefj
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04-07-2009, 05:43 PM
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04-08-2009, 11:19 AM
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Some dyno's for you guys. BERK HFC's vs stock cats. Worst case scenario you're making a solid 10hp+ to the wheel over stock. Best case scenario, the guys with the 370Z's are making close to 20hp to the wheel. With just one bolt on mod of Berk HFC's......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF2JXqzVcfM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic7VsRv8vug
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF2JXqzVcfM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic7VsRv8vug
04-08-2009, 12:43 PM
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I got mine put on about 2 weeks ago and love them. Theyre used but still good of course. I get a slight hissing and slight hesatation as others have reported when stomping on the gas in a high gear. I have an auto but say im in 5th in manual mode or 4th and stomp on it.. it will raise the rpm but for split second they drop. The sound level definetly went up and the exhaust got much bassier in the low rmp. Theres slight rasp around 3-4k somewhere and sometimes during shifts but they are great and no CEL. Only thing that was a pain was finding a place that could put them on.
