Hitech Exhaust system for R33 - reviews?

[slayer]

I know a bunch of you have fitted the Hitech manufactured full stainless exhaust system, and was wondering if you had any opinions on a few things you could share such as:

- noise level - how noisey is it, does it drone at all, whats the cruising noise level like? What setup did you go for (I believe you can choose to run with or without a resonator, and a choice of 3 or so mufflers?)

- performance - what sort of performance gains have you seen?

- spoolup - do you find it spools up any earlier (hopefully helped by the seperated wastegate dump pipe)

- build quality - I am guessing its built brilliantly like all the other Hitech systems?

- any recommendations on which rear muffler type to use (they have like the bazooka with 3 or 4 inch tips, bazooka with the HKS style 5inch tip or the dual tip oval exhaust).

Thanks for any info

Conrad

[slayer]

Someone must have one of these exhausts fitted and have some comments... BY BY, Blitz, anyone?

[Blitz]

Slayer:

As you no doubt realise I organised a large group buy from Hi Tech some time ago, Im pretty sure I can still source their systems for SAU members for the same price.

I was using an HKS Hyper Cat Back system on my car and removed it and fitted a complete custom made system from Hi Tech which was used a the test mule for the group buy.

They fitted a complete 3 inch system in stainless, all polished with a resonator in the rear section to keep out the drone and a nice angled muffler. They also use a good quality Hi Flow Cat.

I found the response increase after the Hi Tech front/dump pipe and new rear section to be quite good, it certainly sounded better and was quieter than the HKS system.

They can use different resonator options at the customer request depending on what sort of noise level you are after.

The group buy price was $1100 for the cat back system with any choice of rear muffler and resonator included (Fitted) or $700 for the Front pipe, dump pipe and Hi Flow Cat (Bargain)

Unfortunately I never got round to dynoing mine to get a specific Dyno figure but the system was definately worth it.

They are able to ship interstate also and did in fact sell many of the systems to Melbourne buyers.

If you want to find out more call Pete at Hi tech Lewisham on

(02) 9569 5888

[adam 32]

hi tech are loud, very loud

[slayer]

Adam, who do you know that has one? Did it have a resonator as well as a muffler?

My HiTech on my WRX was very loud (people coulod hear my car about 2k's away) but didnt drone and sounded fantastic... from the posts it seems as though the R33 system Hitech designed was pretty quiet.. hmm

Kinda like the quietness of the R33, dont want it to be over the top.

Ta

Conrad

[Zahos]

Well I bought a front pipe and dump pipe from the group buy. The build quality on the dump was very bad. The welding was shocking, and it was not cut very well at all! As the pipe needed to be constructed from a few pieces, there were pieces that needed to be shaped, and cut correctly. The dump has a piece inside that was never cut, and hence is restrictive. I have attached a really crappy pic to give you an example...

The front pipe was very well constructed on the other hand....

[Blitz]

Zahos: did you give them a call? Mine turned out very well.

If the parts they sent you werent as they should be I would get in touch with them and let them know.

If you pm me I will call Hi tech.

[Zahos]

Nick you have PM

[slayer]

Unusual.. the gear Ive seen them build up before has been great - perhaps they were struggling to manufacture the quantity required in a short timeframe..

[adam 32]

that exhaust had 1 muffler

its the big barrel rear muffler that they put on, i amplifies sound i reckon!

i know theyve made some kits for the S15 and WRX, didnt know theyd branched out into imports

perth exhaust centre sell hi-tech stuff

[slayer]

Hmm they wouldnt sell one to me... basically told me to go away on the phone when I asked for HiTech stuff (which is wierd as I got my WRX exhaust there and they did a fantastic job fitting it).

So I am kinda considering if I go for a Hitech system again that I will just use a performance shop I trust to fit it... but I dont want to get it if its stupidly loud. Sounds like the one you saw didnt have a resonator, that would have been bloody loud!!!

[adam 32]

yeh, straight through, with big barrel on the end

but paul (gtst vspec) has 3" straight through pipe with 1 apexi mufler on the end which isnt that loud. which leads me to believe its the barrell mufflers which amplify the sound so much. and drone... the jap stuff seems to flow just as well but be very quiet, which is why alot of people choose if over the local product

[Blitz]

Originally posted by adam 32

yeh, straight through, with big barrel on the end

but paul (gtst vspec) has 3" straight through pipe with 1 apexi mufler on the end which isnt that loud. which leads me to believe its the barrell mufflers which amplify the sound so much. and drone... the jap stuff seems to flow just as well but be very quiet, which is why alot of people choose if over the local product

You guys are both correct. Its all in the choice of muffler and resonator use. Different people want different noise levels. Hi Tech will recommend the most appropriate muffler for your application. The large barrel shaped bullet muffers are VERY loud.

Want a quieter system? different muffler and ad a resonator - simple.

[slayer]

So the HKS lookalike muffler you have is quieter than the barrel (bazooka I think they call it) muffler?

So this, in conjunction with the appropriate resonator should give a good performing, yet reasonably quiet exhaust?

Blitz, do you know which resonator you have, is it like the quietest they use or somewhere in the middle?

Usually the quietest resonators will impact wont they?

I guess what I am trying to decide, is what the HiTech setup has over say a HKS cat back HiPower system with a locally made dump pipe... I am thinking perhaps I just grab the HiTech dump pipe/down pipe/cat convertor and use HKS for the rest if its risky I might get seriously loud system with the HiTech.

I have the problem that I cant test it or hear a system as I am in Perth, and I dont know anyone with the same system here or anyone who sells HiTech now.

Ta

Conrad

[Blitz]

I guess what I am trying to decide, is what the HiTech setup has over say a HKS cat back HiPower system with a locally made dump pipe... I am thinking perhaps I just grab the HiTech dump pipe/down pipe/cat convertor and use HKS for the rest if its risky I might get seriously loud system with the HiTech.

I have the problem that I cant test it or hear a system as I am in Perth, and I dont know anyone with the same system here or anyone who sells HiTech now.

[/b]

Firstly i dont actually have my car anymore as I sold it. As I mentioned I turfed an HKS Hyper system in favour of the Hi Tech. One thing thats immediately noticeable is the HKS system isnt true 3 inch, it had a small resonator included in the piping and in some areas the piping will reduce to less than 3 inch. The Hi Tech system IS true 3 inch. There are different resonator sizes available so you can drop the noise without sacrificing noticable performance. Hi Tech specialises in this so its worth you giving them a call to discuss what you are after in more detail.

[slayer]

Thanks for the info, very much appreciated Blitz

I will call the guys and see what they recommend.

Ta

Conrad

[Zahos]

Well, I just got off the phone with Peter at Hi-Tech, and I am very happy. I told them that I bought a dump and front pipe from them a while ago and that I wasn't convincd the dump pipe was of good quality. Lambros at Hi-Tech suggested that they send me a new front/dump pipe combo (1 piece, as they dont make the dump/front seperate anymore), and I send them my old item back... I have to pay for shipping my old one back to them, but I guess that is fair since I will receive a newer item, and that it has been so long since I received the original.

I didnt expect them to take any action after so much time has passed, but they did. I'm glad to see some businesses still operate in a professional manner, and look after their customers. That is after all (or should be) one of the primary objectives of running a business, to ensure customer satisfaction, and provide the highest quality possible in their product!

Thanks Nick (Blitz) for suggesting I contact them. I think it has been a fair outcome.

George

[Blitz]

George: Great news mate glad to hear they sorted you out