First let me say that I have had both sets of HFCs and I am offering this as a end to an arguement on which set of HFCs is better... or for the members who are looking to purchase these in the future to use this as a reference.

Just for the newbs.... HFC = High Flow Catalytic Converter aka hi flow cats

Ok... The Berk Technology HFC are the ones that are rusty and used. I did this comparision when switching the Berks out for the Fast Intentions. So keep in mind that the Fast Intentions are brand new and very shiny.

Both sets of HFCs are using the same Magnaflow High Flow Catalytic Converters so you ask yourself...."what can be different?" The Piping, The Welds, The Flanges...etc...


Both sets of HFCs have an extra set of O2 Bungs ...






Notice a difference here... The Berks O2 sensors are further out from the piping and the flow of the exhaust.


Notice the Lip on the Berks... Im not a welding guru but common sense tells me having a lip would disrupt the flow just a bit...




Berk HFC



FI HFC







Another difference is that the Berks HFC have a bracket that connects to the Frame of the car.... The Fast Intentions HFC do NOT have this bracket... however I have been told the bracket is not needed and from installing these myself... I would have to agree that its not needed as there is no play whatsoever in the Cats when they are bolted in to the car. But its there.







Overall: You can see for yourself from the side by side comparision pictures that these are very very similiar performance parts... but there are some slight differences...

Both Sets sound exactly the same.

Berk +'s :
Welds - nice welds 9/10
Bracket - Has a bracket for extra support
o2 Bung Spacing - is a little further out from the exhaust flow
Extra Bungs
Gaskets - Copper Gaskets - Header to Cat Gaskets included
Berks Customer Service: Personally Brian at Berk had great service to me when I had questions.... Although I think they have good service... I have to say that I have heard a few complaints over the forums about them.

Fast Intentions +'s :
Shiny Polished Stainless Steel: BEAUTIFUL
Welds - very nice welds 10/10
Flanges - look a little better than the Berks
Perfect Smooth connections from the Flange to Piping
Extra Bungs
Gaskets - They look alot better in quality than the gaskets from Berk but no Header/cat ones.
Customer Service: My Personal experience with Tony at FI is CRAZY GOOD!! FI's Customer service is 2nd to none. I have heard ZERO Negatives about the Customer Service at FI.


Knowing what I know now.... If I was making the decision to pick a set of HFCs to go along with my Fast Intentions CF Exhaust I would have to say the FI HFCs Edged out the Berks by a smidge... but you make your own decision. Its simple to connect FI HFC and FI exhaust for me

 

nice write up ben..

 

I have had both now too and agree with Max these 2 are close but FI has a slight edge.

 

excuse the newb question, but is there a large enough price difference to persuade someone to go with one or the other?

 

Great review, you forgot a few things. The flow after the cat is the same an inch or two closer or farther. And there may be quality differences but their is also a considerable price difference between the two. So for anyone not looking for a shiny show quality piece under their car there is no sound or performance difference between the two as you made clear. Otherwise. Great pics!

 

I dont know alot... but I think your wrong... because from what I have been told the "nonfoulers" move the o2 sensors farther away from the flowof the exhaust which makes the Car not throw a code...


i may be way off but i think thats what I was told...

 

FI hfc has no gasket on the flange to the engine side and i had a problem b/c of it.
-CEL---
DIdnt know why for 4months and i found there was leakage on there.
I went to tony and he told me he dont have any gasket for it and he will get that
next year.
No gasket on the flange???
Whoever want to buy this product watch out

 

I have not ever had a CEL and I have had both... guess Im lucky....

 

what are you talking about i got my hfc's and 4 gaskets

 

Nice write-up, brah.

 

yea i dont know what hes talkin about either...

 

sorry I am wrong only 2. hmmmmmmmmmmmmm


will have to get some made at my old work place so no big deal.

 

only gaskets from x-pipe to hfc's that s it

 

lol
i went to FI on last monday and he told me in person.
And original intaller was tony and there was no gaket at triange shape flange.
he sealed it with silicone

 

maybe i reused my old ones.... Its been a lil while since i install...