Considering FAE on 2017 RZX2

[TigeFamily]

@chpthril installed my FAE last year....huge improvement in noise, noticeably reduced/removed exhaust look/smell and it was like getting a stereo upgrade to boot. When surfing behind the boat, people can easily talk to you and you can hear them cause exhaust is not pointed at you. I love it (we did secure using 5200 and used grade 8 longer screws and its solid. FAE actually has some special curved washers so you can thru-bolt it, have not gotten around to that yet cause its so solid, probably not needed at this point for me). Been one of my favorite mods on boat, and I have done a lot and in process of doing more. In a couple weeks, not only will my boat be loaded with every possible option from factory, but also options not available....I am addicted and have a problem. Admitting it has not helped either, don't think there is a cure for my problem, lol

[redd71]

IMG_4336.jpg
I went with the thru hull design and also removed exhaust baffle. I am a firm believer in FAE. All pros and zero cons!

[BlackoutATX]

[ATTACH]47908[/ATTACH]
I went with the thru hull design and also removed exhaust baffle. I am a firm believer in FAE. All pros and zero cons!

You guys with the through hull design. What kind of bolts/nuts are you using? I need to redo mine. But there is zero room inside the boat for tightening nuts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jetdriver]

[QUOTE=dkyg;790523]

Yes, mine has the trim tab mount and I did have to drill a hole and cut off the excess on the brace FAE provided. The hardware they provided was mostly the wrong size too. Had to reuse some of the screws from the flapper and pick up a new stainless bolt to fit the brace.

The pipe may be crooked. I barely had time to look at it. Had the boat out of the water for less than 2 hours and then had to dash back to the marina to put it back in the slip after the install. I'm not sure how installing it any differently would straiten it up. The holes on the flange line up exactly with the existing holes for the stock flapper. There is zero play in the fit. If the Tige drilled flapper holes are indexed slightly clockwise or counter clockwise from 90 degrees, I can see how the pipe would be crooked. Either way, I'll probably never know. This boat will spend 99% of it's time in the water or on a boat lift at the marina. I guess I could swim around the lift and take some measurements but do I really care????????

I certainly wasn’t trying to knock your install my man, just trying to be helpful. Sorry if I came off that way.
The FAE has little square notches about 3x the size of your screws whereas the circular metal collar that snugs the whole assembly up that the screws go through has round holes roughly the size of the screws. It is certainly adjustable to a small degree no need to redrill anything. Simply loosen the screw a touch, twist the FAE till you’re happy , then re-tighten.
It’s your boat, I’m happy if you are! Cheers!

[dkyg]

Jetdriver,

You are EXACTLY right. There are notches on the pipe. I completely forgot this. I was busy lining up and measuring the bracket while my buddy was attaching the pipe. Maybe I'll get around to fixing it one of these days. Like I said, I'll hardly ever see the back of the boat. I can't imagine the pipe would perform any differently with that small of an angle. It's well within the prop wash.

[UNSTUCK]

In my opinion, even if he were to loosen the 4 screws and turn the FAE up so that the output was vertical, it would leave the horizontal tube turned up and not looking right. And with it turned up, it makes the water in the exhaust just sit inside there and not run out like I think it should. This is in no way an installation issue. It's a fabrication issue. I see it over and over with their product. Does FAE own the market? Do we have another option? Maybe it's time to get my hands dirty. I'd love a FAE, but I want it to look right (to me) too.

[chpthril]

Keep in mind that the FAE mounting flange is drilled to line up with 4-6 existing exhaust screw holes drilled by a human at the tige factory. 1-2 degrees off from symmetrical there, and the down pipe is not vertical. If those holes are guaranteed to be right every time, then yes, its down to whom ever puts the flange and pipe in the jig for welding or the jig gets off, um, out of alignment, yeah.

But yeah, I think FAE does own the market. Remember when Nauty tried to steal it? Larry bout put them in the poor house from what i hear tell

[D&P Powell]

I have never heard of any of FAE customers who contacted the owner with a question or concern that he didn’t address or resolve. I think we should be putting these “over and over” again issues into perspective. I cannot imagine it’s easy to get something like this right %100 of the time when it’s all based on previous models and email exchanges. It’s easy to criticize the product, but if he’s correcting everything immediately upon request, I’d personally like to give the company the benefit of the doubt. As a side note, I’ve seen many more people “completely” satisfied than unhappy with the FAE product.

[ski_antique]

Considering FAE on 2017 RZX2

on an rzx3 non 2:1 with a 440 there is little to no sound reduction

if it is installed even slightly off to one side the corresponding surf wave performance will suffer

non fae rzx3s station wagon a LOT so besides the many potential pitfalls, its a good add on.

disclaimer- never tried the above tests on an rzx2




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[chpthril]

if it is installed even slightly off to one side the corresponding surf wave performance will suffer

on paper, I agree 100%. In reality, im wondering if the tip is still well within the prop wash zone, so no effect.

[dakota4ce]

In my opinion, even if he were to loosen the 4 screws and turn the FAE up so that the output was vertical, it would leave the horizontal tube turned up and not looking right. And with it turned up, it makes the water in the exhaust just sit inside there and not run out like I think it should. This is in no way an installation issue. It's a fabrication issue. I see it over and over with their product. Does FAE own the market? Do we have another option? Maybe it's time to get my hands dirty. I'd love a FAE, but I want it to look right (to me) too.

You’re typically the guy that questions all of these companies that make great products. Yes they likely own the market—they INVENTED the thing in the first place. Armchair quarterbacking everyone else’s innovations is easy IMHO. Copying products with slight tweaks is easy to do in one-off situations. When you’re making hundreds of pipes for dozens of boat models, paying employees, paying taxes, etc etc etc, the formula is much more complex.

That’s how this looks from my angle. Just being honest.

My three FAE products have been FLAWLESS. And IMHO, $500 is a very reasonable fee. Keep on keeping on, I say.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dakota4ce]

on an rzx3 non 2:1 with a 440 there is little to no sound reduction

That’s an engine compartment insulation issue—at least on the 2016 RZX I have time in. I agree, the FAE makes little difference.

And the 2 does station wagon. I got kinda woozy on one! FAE would be a great addition to a 2 as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[chane]

Waiting for the quote on the 2018 OEM mandrel drawn thru hull FAE and install for my 2017 RZX2 (440 Raptor). Before pulling the trigger I thought I would check to see if anyone else has installed a FAE on their boat and if the difference in noise reduction is significant? I understand the safety benefit of reduced CO, but we generally are engine off anytime there's someone on the platform or getting gear on in the water at the rear. FAE and my Tige Dealer confirmed about 3.5 hours for install so I'm guessing I'll be looking at $1000 to add the FAE.

Also, was thinking I would remove the baffle right away as well. Any thoughts on this.

For anyone else with a 2017 model your only other option is the 2016 welded (polished or non) with brackets (for bolt on) or the thru hull equivalent. These you can buy direct from FAE for around $540-$600. Since the mandrel drawn is considered OEM you can only get thru an authorized Tige dealer.

My RZX2 is up Eagle Marine right now having the 2018 FAE ordered from Tige installed. I didn’t want the extra bracket. The 2018 looks way better in my opinion. Should have her back soon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[UNSTUCK]

You’re typically the guy that questions all of these companies that make great products. Yes they likely own the market—they INVENTED the thing in the first place. Armchair quarterbacking everyone else’s innovations is easy IMHO. Copying products with slight tweaks is easy to do in one-off situations. When you’re making hundreds of pipes for dozens of boat models, paying employees, paying taxes, etc etc etc, the formula is much more complex.

That’s how this looks from my angle. Just being honest.

My three FAE products have been FLAWLESS. And IMHO, $500 is a very reasonable fee. Keep on keeping on, I say.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sorry. I’m in the trade. We pick apart each other’s work. I assume that happens in most fields. To their benefit I haven’t seen poor welds lately. Maybe they are reading these threads and taking notes. To that end you are all welcome. Just imagine what life would be like if mediocracy was good enough. We’d all be driving Pintos and watching VHS on square TVs.

[Jetdriver]

Jetdriver,

You are EXACTLY right. There are notches on the pipe. I completely forgot this. I was busy lining up and measuring the bracket while my buddy was attaching the pipe. Maybe I'll get around to fixing it one of these days. Like I said, I'll hardly ever see the back of the boat. I can't imagine the pipe would perform any differently with that small of an angle. It's well within the prop wash.

It looks good and I’m sure will perform exactly as intended. Just my OCD getting the best of me! Have a great summer!