So I got a Berk catback exhaust for x-mas and installed it on the 26th. Overall the install was pretty straight forward except I didn't know which combo of hangers to use. I have an '04 with a generic eBay header and Invidia 63mm test pipe on it to give a reference for the rest of the exhaust system.

Fitment for the exhaust was incredibly tight and there was maybe a 1/4" clearance (or less) at the axle bolts and at a bend near the subframe. If I breathed on it heavy it would hit either one. So I figured I need to at least drive it around the hood to see what happens. Maybe 3 miles tops. Rattles like a mother f-cker.

I get back to the house and put it back up on the jack stands and let it cool for a little bit in case it was hot and jumped online to see what people suggest. The AP2 has a combination of hangers with some that are two hole rubber and some that are three hole ones. On the stock car, the three hole ones are all the way at the back where the muffler sits at the bumper. All the rest are the two hole ones. Based on what people are saying, the three hole ones allow for lower placement of the exhaust. Well, I've been trying various combinations of the two that I have and still have rattling in every instance. I have not gone out and driven it again as even from that little drive that I did, it scratched the f-ck out of the pipe at the axle spot and I don't want to do any damage (especially if I get so pissed off at it that I attempt to return it).

Does anyone have any ideas??? I'm going to my local dealer after work today to try and pick up some more of the three holed hangers to see if that helps. But right now I'm frustrated as hell and getting pissed that we spent $500 on one of my very few x-mas presents and it doesn't work.

 

IMO ditch the ebay header, if you havnt taken it to a dyno... most cases many headers actually lose power. There is less than a handful of headers that will actually make power and you need a tune to see it happen.

 

I havent read your post because im lazy lol but i have installed the Berk and had issues with it ever so slightly touching the rear subframe. I had to bend the brackets a bit but now its perfect. Hope that helps lol

 

Uhhh. Thanks. I guess??

I ordered three more three-hole hangers yesterday and they should be in today. I'll pick them up after work and put them on all the brackets and see if it drops it enough to clear the two places it basically touches.

I know about the header, but for $100, it cleans up the engine bay, is much lighter than the stock manifold (the main thing I got it for) and probably is a wash for any power gained/lost. I don't feel like spending a bunch on one right now (but plan to eventually), so it wasn't a big deal to me.

 

UPDATE.

Picked up the two new hangers yesterday and messed around with hanger assignments per location. I think I finally got it right. Even drove my son to an appointment last night and myself to work this morning. Doesn't seem to rattle anymore.

But DAMN ..... that sh-t is loud. My wife is already complaining. I typically don't mind it louder, but I'm even a little on edge with the tone. I'm going to re-install the stock catalytic convertor and see how much of a difference it makes. Then if I take the car to the track or an S2K meet, I'll just put the test pipe back on for those.

 

Actually no...with our power to weight ratio, 2hp = about 50lbs. So, if you saved 25lbs with the header, that's a 1hp gain. Not offset by a potential 5-8hp loss.

 

Although the Berk unit does not come with a silencer, I ended up purchasing a universal one. Simply drill a hole at the end-tip and you're good to go. Quiets down the volume considerably and makes street driving bearable.

I don't thing swapping cats is going to get the result you want.

 

Yeah, wife hates it. Any link to a universal one you'd recommend?

 

Is the exhaust you're referring to? Just looking at it you know it will be loud!

-- Chuck



-- Chuck

 

I had a Skunk 2 megapower cat-delete header and 3" Full Race exhaust on my '06 Si and it wasn't as loud as this one (if I remember the Si correctly).