resonated test pipes and HFC logevity?
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 183
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From: TX
The ART Pipes were only slightly louder than my FI HFC's. My car had more of a crisp tone though, and my car felt more responsive in the lower rpms. As far as the smell it was a lot more noticecable. If you are worried about CARB I'm not sure you would care for the ART Pipes. The only reason why I changed to the ART Test pipes is I'm going to be supercharged in about 3 months, and I didn't want to worry about my HFC's going bad. If you don't plan on going FI I'd recommend going with the FI HFC's. They're great, and I think they'll last you for a long time. 
I have had the ART pipes on my 08 G35XS for almost 6 months now, I love the performance and sound aspects of them, but they smell really bad. I cant really put the windows down at a light or you get the smell inside really bad. I dont mind because I hardly drive with my windows down, usually use my a/c and heat. At red lights if I have on the vent to blow in outside air, I can smell fumes also. This got alot worse once I put my 2.5" custom exhaust on, the ART pipes and the stock exhaust weren't as bad, but just too quiet. Hope this helps you out. AOh and yeah you can smell the fumes from the back at idle too. I dont have to worry about emissions where I am I know people lol. Plus as long as it doesn't throw a CEL I am good to go, these position the O2 way out of the Tp reach. And, they fit the RWD sedans, I had to modify mine to fit the AWD, they are not made for the AWD.
Keep in mind that the life span of aftermarket HFC's is subjective to their build quality and how much beating they take. I know guys that have had their cats go bad after 15k, but I also know guys that have had their HFC for 30k + without any issues. From my research, FI & BERK seem to be quality products. BTW I just recently picked up some used BERKS from a member here. I will try them out first to see if I like em or not. You should be fine with used FI hfc's. With 10k, you have plenty life on them left IMO. I know a member here who's had their FI hfc paired with FI cbe for over 30k without any problem.
The ART Pipes were only slightly louder than my FI HFC's. My car had more of a crisp tone though, and my car felt more responsive in the lower rpms. As far as the smell it was a lot more noticecable. If you are worried about CARB I'm not sure you would care for the ART Pipes. The only reason why I changed to the ART Test pipes is I'm going to be supercharged in about 3 months, and I didn't want to worry about my HFC's going bad. If you don't plan on going FI I'd recommend going with the FI HFC's. They're great, and I think they'll last you for a long time.
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