Guma's 2012 Z3 Build Thread

[IDBoating]

Looking at that exhaust location makes me think it might be a problem installing an FAE. If the FAE came straight off of the exhaust port it would limit the TAPS plate's upward movement... I think.

[Timmy!]

I think FAE's are going to be a thing of the past with the Catanium engines. Even ragboy isn't using one anymore.

[IDBoating]

Are those chains for the lift controller resting up against the hull in the first & second picture!!

That's just to prove how incredibly tough that Tige gelcoat really is!

[IDBoating]

I think FAE's are going to be a thing of the past with the Catanium engines. Even ragboy isn't using one anymore.

True. I have a Catanium engine and I don't have an FAE. But I have considered one purely for the additional sound reduction. That may not be an option on a Z3.

[duffymahoney]

FAE should be fine. It will have an angled transom mount. No biggie.

[Duncan]

True. I have a Catanium engine and I don't have an FAE. But I have considered one purely for the additional sound reduction. That may not be an option on a Z3.

FAE on Catanium 409 discussed here and here.

My opinion is that it does not further reduce engine noise by all that much but should further scrub CO. I would not put an FAE on a Catanium if you just want noise reduction. I would put an FAE on a Catanium if you want to, perhaps, further increase safety by providing additional CO scrub.

[ragboy]

True. I have a Catanium engine and I don't have an FAE. But I have considered one purely for the additional sound reduction. That may not be an option on a Z3.

One my goals for this spring is to redo our tests with measurement on the new PCM Cat motors. My guess is FAE is no longer needed. Even with the FAE, when you get in the 2007 vs the new, world of difference. The new Cat motors are extremely clean.

[IDBoating]

FAE on Catanium 409

BTW, I have an EX343 with the Cat exhaust. I don't think the details vary all that much based on engine size...?

I would not put an FAE on a Catanium if you just want noise reduction.

Interesting. You may have just saved me several hundred dollars. But I've heard FAE described as "the best stereo upgrade ever" due to the noise suppression. We never turn on our stereo (literally never) but we do love to visit with folks on and behind the boat so dropping the noise level would be nice. Are you saying the FAE doesn't really have an impact on engine noise?

[NICKYPOO]

I think FAE's are going to be a thing of the past with the Catanium engines. Even ragboy isn't using one anymore.

Sorry, OT-

Oh, well, if ragboy isn't using one, why would anyone ever use one again?

Until they make an exhaustless, silent engine, I'll be running one.

Timmy!

Duffy is correct. They angle up directly off the factory exhaust port.

[IDBoating]

Duffy is correct. They angle up directly off the factory exhaust port.

Yep, found a photo here that illustrates that perfectly.

Still surprised by the "didn't make it much quieter" comments, though. Most comments say the FAE really quiets things down.

[ragboy]

Sorry, OT-

Oh, well, if ragboy isn't using one, why would anyone ever use one again?

Until they make an exhaustless, silent engine, I'll be running one.

Timmy!

Duffy is correct. They angle up directly off the factory exhaust port.

I love my FAE on my Ve, no doubt. I also have a decent relationship with larry mann who makes em. These new motors are not only VERY clean, but also VERY quiet. I am going to wait til we actually measure and test before saying completely they do as good a job as an FAE. But one area where they do better, is at idle or near idle. FAE doesn't help at all then.

[Duncan]

Still surprised by the "didn't make it much quieter" comments, though. Most comments say the FAE really quiets things down.

I was really surprised and a bit disapointed with noise effect when I put on our FAE last season. See the linked posts above for additional discussion on this point. It comes down to the PCM Cat engine being so darned quiet in the first place.

Then Duffy made me feel much better by pointing out that a catalytic converter scrubs some, but not all, CO from the exhaust (see linked threads above). So that comfort is enough for me to feel it was money well spent.

[Duncan]

I love my FAE on my Ve, no doubt. I also have a decent relationship with larry mann who makes em. These new motors are not only VERY clean, but also VERY quiet. I am going to wait til we actually measure and test before saying completely they do as good a job as an FAE. But one area where they do better, is at idle or near idle. FAE doesn't help at all then.

Looking forward to seeing CO numbers on the PCM Cat engine!

[Timmy!]

I am guessing that the Cat motor will have lower CO numbers than a non-cat boat equipped with FAE.

[duffymahoney]

Yeah I think the cat helps a ton, but not enough. I am weirdly super sensitive to CO. I get these headaches even riding around in non FAE boats. I bet the numbers are still scary about how much CO a surfer is getting with a cat motor. I love the idea of a quiet motor though!