Review Fast Intentions Non Resonated Test Pipes - Pix & Vids

[G37Sam]

So I recieved an email telling me my test pipes are here! W00000000T now I'm headed to pick them up.. Yeah, no door to door for me (way too much $$$ for my pockets to handle)

Stay tuned people...

Update 25-02-09

I just took those babies out.. Very nicely bubble wrapped protecting them all the way to Dubai..



Now give me another half an hour to unwrap them and I'll post more pix for you guys

And here are more pix...



Would you just look at the quality of that weld...



The sexy Dubai Limited Edition FI Test Pipe with the special edition O2 bung lol





Update 26-02-09

Drove around 100 miles to get those installed today, wouldn't just let anyone handle them especially after all the nightmare stories I've heard about damaging 02 sensors.

Install
I have to say, installing them wasn't easy at all.. unless you do this for living, all I can say is good luck.. The bolts that bolt the OEM cats to the OEM headers are so damn stubborn I thought for a second they were welded lol the mechanic then used some burner to loosen them.. bolts then came out like magic.. Everything then just fit perfect.. 02 sensors didn't need any hammering in or anything.. just screwed into the bung like it came from the dealer..
Only problem was though, I was surprised though there werent any Gaskets provided for the header-test pipe bolt on. Called Tony up who told me to RTFM lol apparently I had to apply silicon only, and it's been working fine for everyone.. The mechanic refused to do so however, else he wouldn't warranty his work. He insisted we buy gaskets, and thats what we did. This way if anything goes wrong I can just drive back and kick his @$$.. Tony's is a bit too far from here haha j/k car was then unjacked and with $140 out of my pocket, I was ready to go...

CEL
My, and everyone on here's, first & major concern was the CEL light. It would've been a super fail for me, especially that I'm the first one to try out those 2nd Gen FI test pipes. With my fingers crossed, I hit the brake and pressed the start button and guess what? NO CEL LIGHT!! had to keep my cool though because its still to early for that. Went out for a spin around to make sure there were no leaks or any weird noises. Then came back to the garage, gave him a big thumb up with the smile of a satisfied customer. I then parked on the side and took 10 minutes to remember the ECU reset method (no CEL issues so far). Reset the ECU and was off to drive back home.

Exhaust Note

I have to admit, I wasn't very pleased with the exhaust note RIGHT after the install.. Sounded a little raspy especially at some rpm's.. I thought I lost the exotic 0-rasp note of the CF catback. I even started considering getting them back off and selling them. But I knew I had to give them some time to break in (100 miles back home aint that bad) and thought I'd check and re-judge then. And so I did when I got home! With enough being said, here's a video with comparisons..



NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL AGGRESSIVE It just sounded scary. When my friends came out to check out the exhaust they SNAPPED when I floored it, followed by the FI wet pants phenomena haha

Performance
I have something in the works for you guys on this one. My butt dyno did sense an increase in performance though and my traction control is starting to have a hard time keeping up with me! I still felt gains even though I have a catback already! Wonder what those would do on a stock setup.

Update 27-02-09

Drove the car for another 100 miles today, pretty spirited this time though. Then went on and tracked the car for like 5 mins (free club voucher for our Local GnZ club).. no CEL issues I'm starting to love this..

Then recorded a video for you guys from inside the car (even though it was echoing in the parking lot but just to get an idea)



Notice slip light going off! Traction control is really having a hard time with me lol

Update 04-03-09

I've completed around 250 miles, No CEL issues yet *knock on wood*. I'm loving their sound, yes they are loud. Definitely not for everyone. Wonder what my setup would sound like with headers..

Update 11-03-09

Cold Start Video