I just installed my FI catback and HFCs last week. If you haven't done so already you need to get this setup...it sounds sick!!!

When I picked up car from the muffler shop, the mechanic notified me of two things:

1. He expected the two bent pipes that run from the cat to the x-pipes to have flex tubing in there to account for the jerking when you gun the engine. Since those pipes were solid pieces, he told me that he wouldn't be surprised that they cracked so he told me that I should pick up two flex pipes and get them welded into those pipes. I called FI and they said that this shouldn't be a concern because those pipes were handcrafted vs the stock ones that have imperfections (thus needing the flexible piping). Has anyone experienced exhaust pipe cracking on this section?

2. There was no gasket between the exhaust manifold and the HFC. I called FI and they informed me that they advise people to use RTB (sp?) high-temp silicone to help absorb the heat between those two connections. I informed my mechanic and he said he would never use that stuff because it could foul the O2 sensor and recommended that I buy some universal gasket material and he would custom cut one for me. What have most folks been doing to address this. FYI FI informed me that they're working on manufacturing a HFC gasket for release in the near future. If people have gone down the universal gasket route, could you share the spec of the material you used?

Help! Any tips/feedback would be greatly appreciated!

 

I'm surprised there's no responses yet...I'm sure a lot of you folks have the same FI setup as I do. Just want to know what your experience has been so far.

 

Congrats on the exhaust. I've heard these setups and like you said, it sounds pretty damn sick!

As to your questions, I am sure that someone will chime in soon.

GL w/ the fix.

 

re #1 some guys have been running FI for quite a while with no problem.
I wondered the same thing when I bought mine. No problem so far.

 

Good to get confirmation that those pipes haven't caused you any problems. Re #2 I just ordered some Mr. Gasket Ultra Seal universal gasket material. FI said that they've tried to use other gaskets in the past and they've all failed. Hopefully this works...

 

You will be fine. Tony and the FI crew have been working strictly with exhaust systems for i think 13 year, maybe more. I'd listen to him over just any regular mechanic.

 

have my setup for over a year now. so far no problems. and i used the stock gaskets for the setup.

 

For the HFC, you can't use the stock gasket. Currently it's metal to metal between the HFC and exhaust manifold. I'm just hoping I get my gasket material soon so I can get this taken care of.

 

/\ Ditto, and I've had mine for well over a year now.

And I still drive with the windows down to listen to it sing