Fast Intentions Intimidator observation
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Fast Intentions Intimidator observation
After looking at a bunch of y-pipes, I noticed that nearly all of them have a section that is braided - I guess to compensate flex from engine movement.
![](https://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/ntnsracing_1955_246143980)
Now I'm left wondering why Fast Intentions didn't include that in their Intimidator exhaust system.
![](http://www.fastintentions.com/exhaust/infiniti/images/polished_top2.jpg)
Now I'm left wondering why Fast Intentions didn't include that in their Intimidator exhaust system.
![](http://www.fastintentions.com/exhaust/infiniti/images/polished_top2.jpg)
![Confused2](https://g35driver.com/forums/images/smilies/confused2.gif)
#2
#4
some good reading.
Originally Posted by ISMSOLUTIONS
There is flex in the system. We have retained the rubber mounts and allowed for system torquing with the use of flanges for all of the coupled joints.
We have also verified that there is no binding in the system - unlike most all of the other systems - which then require flex joints. I have noticed with most all of the of the clamped systems, that there is a lot of binding that occurs - primarily because exact fitment cannot be guaranteed with slip fit systems - hence the use of clamps. This system is designed to be an exact fitment - no clamps at all - all flanged.
There should be no issues with cracking at all. I have been running this system on my car for thousands of miles already, with headers as well for many miles with zero issues - the test car has may miles too.
Rick
We have also verified that there is no binding in the system - unlike most all of the other systems - which then require flex joints. I have noticed with most all of the of the clamped systems, that there is a lot of binding that occurs - primarily because exact fitment cannot be guaranteed with slip fit systems - hence the use of clamps. This system is designed to be an exact fitment - no clamps at all - all flanged.
There should be no issues with cracking at all. I have been running this system on my car for thousands of miles already, with headers as well for many miles with zero issues - the test car has may miles too.
Rick
Originally Posted by DaveB
Nissan puts flex sections in the stock exhaust for a reason.....to reduce NVH. I know the FI system doesn't use flex sections nor does Borla, Stillen, and most others. I think HKS is the only one that was smart enough to incorporate flex sections into their design. You may want to consider having a shop install some 2.5" flex sections into the y-pipe while you're getting the other work done.
Originally Posted by ISMSOLUTIONS
flex joints are used to relieve binding in an exhaust system - it allows a certain amount of travel for the exhaust as to not break headers/manifolds or CATS, etc, that are in a fixed installation.
Most all aftermarket systems are made far more stout than a factory system, thereby not requiring flex joints, as long as the jigs are made properly and to tolerance, there will be no binding in the system and the rubber mounts will provide the needed flexibility under general driving conditions as heat expands the system and tolerances get even closer.
Most all aftermarket systems are made far more stout than a factory system, thereby not requiring flex joints, as long as the jigs are made properly and to tolerance, there will be no binding in the system and the rubber mounts will provide the needed flexibility under general driving conditions as heat expands the system and tolerances get even closer.
Originally Posted by ISMSOLUTIONS
Nissan uses flex joints as their exhaust system is made to Zero tolerance specifications. Therefore flex joints are needed to allow some play in the system, otherwise they would be replacing manifolds and CATS due to the stress relief need, for expansion due to excessive heat, over time.
Originally Posted by DaveB
The purpose of the flex sections is to reduce NVH (primarily vibration and harshness) and to let the exhaust move freely instead of torquing the exhaust manifolds and cats. The flex section removes vibration by letting the engine move more freely from the exhaust. The flex sections along with the exhaust hangers and engine mounts dissipate vibration. When you remove the flex sections, you'll get more vibration. It's really that simple. I've installed numerous exhausts on my last three car. I quickly learned the value of the flex sections and I should have known better prior to buying the Borla system, but I was too dumb and believed what I read on this site from those saying it didn't cause any additional NVH. It was quite obvious after installing the Borla TD that it was creating a lot of vibration. You could literally see the pipes vibrating at idle and you could feel heavy vibration through the muffler. Under load, the increased vibration was pretty apparent. In a 350Z, it would be fairly acceptable, in a G35 is seemed a bit too much.
Last edited by Calvin; 07-07-2007 at 07:38 PM.
#5
All of the posts that have been sighted are relevant. Thanks all!
It really comes down to fitment and design to spec. Borla and many others will vibrate - you can see the tips shaking, and that will cause CATS and manifolds to break. You wont see that on the Intimidator, Stillen and HKS. (see, I'm not bashing all competitors
)
So - what we have seen and heard maybe 1-2 times, are a set of FI CATS or testpipes that have cracked. I mean literally 1 time - possibly a 2nd - but I really think just once. It was coupled with a Fuji and other Y-pipe and other mid pipe back system...and that is where the problem is. We were able to verify as well that those systems cracked and had issues prior to the CATS or others being put in place as well. IE: the y-pipe broke a few times before the CATS/pipes were put in to begin with.
There have been ZERO issues regarding this with the Intimidator system that we know of, otherwise, and actually, at all.
Feel free to ask away for anything else you have questions on.
Rick
It really comes down to fitment and design to spec. Borla and many others will vibrate - you can see the tips shaking, and that will cause CATS and manifolds to break. You wont see that on the Intimidator, Stillen and HKS. (see, I'm not bashing all competitors
![Coolio](https://g35driver.com/forums/images/smilies/coolio.gif)
So - what we have seen and heard maybe 1-2 times, are a set of FI CATS or testpipes that have cracked. I mean literally 1 time - possibly a 2nd - but I really think just once. It was coupled with a Fuji and other Y-pipe and other mid pipe back system...and that is where the problem is. We were able to verify as well that those systems cracked and had issues prior to the CATS or others being put in place as well. IE: the y-pipe broke a few times before the CATS/pipes were put in to begin with.
There have been ZERO issues regarding this with the Intimidator system that we know of, otherwise, and actually, at all.
Feel free to ask away for anything else you have questions on.
Rick
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#8
I'd say - try and search for that answer - but you'd be hard pressed to find issues with this exhaust system. I'm not trying to tout more than necessary, but there have been no bad posts or threads in the 1 1/2 years since the inaugural introduction of the Intimidator system.
I'll take that back now, just for a second, as a few threads have come up, been resolved or realized that the issue was installer related, car tune or mod related - resulting in the OP deleting their thread in the end.
It really is a damn good product!
Rick
I'll take that back now, just for a second, as a few threads have come up, been resolved or realized that the issue was installer related, car tune or mod related - resulting in the OP deleting their thread in the end.
It really is a damn good product!
Rick
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I hear ya. I search and I haven't found anything bad. I'm planning to keep my ride stock for the most part. Only installing the z-tube, K&N filter, and this exhaust.
I don't think I need to to get it tune and I'm not making any other major modifications. If anything, I can only think the installation is where it could go wrong.
I don't think I need to to get it tune and I'm not making any other major modifications. If anything, I can only think the installation is where it could go wrong.
#12
Originally Posted by KapVu
what's the difference between the polished and the stainless steel? I look a pictures and it looks like on both, mufflers and tips are polished on either set. Is the polished set polished all the way through (x-pipe, etc.) and stainless steel is only mufflers and tips polished? Thanks.
All of the systems have polished mufflers, tips and extensions. The full polished system is polished pipe, X, etc.
Rick