^^^ ditto

My AAM HFCs didn't throw a code for about a year before I got it dyno tuned, then my tuner simply disabled the codes with software.

I'm not sure what core kinetix uses, but AAM uses Vibrant 200 cell HFC cores, so a little better performance. I have zero rasp, but I also have a full cat-back exhaust. My understanding is that you may get some rasp when mixing aftermarket and stock parts due to pipe diameter differences.

 

^ were you specifically looking for 200 cell cats or was it just brand, price and availability why you went with AAM?

 

200 cell cats was part of it, but I was also looking for build quality. AAM has a lot of positive feedback from people with a lot of miles on the cats. Just about every other brand had complaints of cracked welds or the cat material itself coming loose and causing "buzzing" sounds. Fast Intentions had the build quality, but were using 300 cell Magnaflow cores and at the time I was looking literally 3 people in my car club alone were having issues. 3 years and 50K+ miles and I haven't had an issue with AAM HFC/Fast Intentions exhaust combo.

Price and availability worked out since AAM is 20 minutes from my office.

 

Well I'm looking for a great hfc there all pretty much the same price on eBay from berks to kinetix to AAM give or take $50-75 .. How do I know they're real and not someone's garage welds ? Stamped ?

AAM sounds good you have me sold on them .. I'd like to hear them on a stock exhaust

If you had to choose the best ones though for a new hfc what would you pick ?

 

try AAM from czp so you know its real.

 

Really debating between aam and berks honestly .. How many of you actually installed it yourself and it went smoothly ... One thing I need to know about is the inside cat bolts. I hear people brake them or strip them and then their whole week is f'd...what do yo recommend .. I honestly don't think I have enough extensions for my 1/2 ratchet lol and berks I heard the 02 sensor is a bit further away allowing to not throw a code .. AAM I'm not too sure ..

 

Hate to call it early but I think one of my berks are rattling. I need to get under and see. its very very faint at 2.5k RPM only. I have to get under and confirm and see what they will do for my warranty

 

do you know who makes cores for AAM HFC?

 

Mine are Vibrant cores.

Go buy extensions and a can of PB Blaster. Soak bolts down the night before. If engine is cold, warm it up about 5 minutes before soaking the PB blaster. I've found warm (but not hot) bolts are easier to work with, might need gloves. Then soak again before attempting. A second person comes in really handy to keep the socket strait on the bolts. Getting the socket off-center is what really causes most stripping, or really rusty bolts.

 

So I went with the berks and i have high expectations! Should be here by the end of the week and I can spend hopefully just A Saturday morning on it . I plan to and have pb blasting it every day till they come in .. I can't reach the inner most bolt with pb though and that's the one that gives the hard time I think... Also when I get it all out and installed could I put the bolts on the cat backwards so it won't be so hard to get to next time ?

Also when I drilled the stock cats I noticed the sensor back there after I was done drilling and it wasn't damaged as far as just looking at it and no dash indicators so I should be okay to just swap it out to the berks ?

 

No to your first question, there is tight clearance on the cat side.