So, after multiple trips to autozone, for random little bits and pieces, and dealing with 35-40 degree temperature, and some tools going to tool heaven...



I installed my SSAutoChrome/XS Power/Stone Racing/ebay brand Y-pipe, and new OEM cat.



Wow. The car screams like a banshee all the way to the rev limiter in every gear.... it's just REALLY flippin' loud!


I'm *hoping* it's because the cat is still new, and not broken in... but the car is almost like running open header at WOT. Is this normal? I'm taking it to the exhaust shop tomorrow to get a hanger welded on the cat, and while they're under there, I'm gonna have them make sure everything's tight, no leaks.


It's got a GREAT burble-burble at idle... then, tap the gas, and it seems like there's a million angry locusts. Not the "bees in the can" sound... but just LOUD.


The install of those two, an oil change (with K&N oil filter, and Royal Purple 5W30), a new foglight install, and a car wash were everything I accomplished today. It was "car" day. Considering it was my first day off in 13 days, I was more than happy to do anything other than be anywhere near food. I got to get dirty.


--Evan


BTW, there's no pics. Don't ask... the digi is one of the items that's no longer with us... R.I.P.

 

Thread is worthless without sound samples...

 

Be careful with that Royal Purple. Great for short usage but gets very thin very quickly (from my personal experience anyhow). I think it has to do with it being designed for short race usage.

 

that quote in your sig man is SO funny!!

anyway, sounds like it was a good 'car day' for ya.

 

Muffler?????????

 

Sure you dont have an exhaust leak ?? That setup shouldnt much louder than stock especially since your running stock muffler still
What Manifold Gaskets did you use ??

-matt

 

The ones that came with the y-pipe, plus copper permatex on both sides of every gasket.


2 da mizzax... I autoX the car a lot... plus I drive fairly aggressively. I change the oil every 1500-2000 miles.

 

That's your problem. The gaskets that came from the y-pipe are crappy. Go to nissan and get the oem gaskets. The y-pipe should be quit not loud.

 

by that some token, are the gaskets that come with budget ypipe also crap?

 

Always use the oem gaskets for the y-pipe. Most gaskets cant withstand the heat up that close.

 

I bought 2 new gaskets from the stealership... at $7.92 a piece... thank you very much, Nissan, for f'ing me in the pooper with a sandpaper condom, for 2 metal o-rings. 16 bucks... for 2 metal o-rings. I can't even believe it.



It's going back to the exhaust shop tomorrow, to get one of the studs that broke, drilled out and replaced... I'll have them put the new OEM gaskets on this time. I HATE taking my car to the shop. But, there comes a time every so often that I don't have the tools to do certain jobs (i.e., air tools, and a lift). So... off she goes.

--Evan

 

ohhhh so you had a broken stud too ?? Theres your exhaust leak

-matt

 

ya i have quite a nice leak myself. sounds TERRIBLE. oh and the gaskets that came from budget for my y pipe were bent and broken. woohoo. you should notice your exhaust stinking and ur power dropping from it runnin rich. atleast i noticed that on mine....

 

Yeah, the car, and I, wreak of exhaust.


I really hope that it's just because of that leak....

 

***UPDATE****


Got the car back from the exhaust shop... the $16 I wasted at the stealership for the 2 gaskets were pointless. Because of the flange on the new y-pipe, the o-ring type gasket didn't work. So, they made one out of copper gasket material, and now...



Wow. I don't think I've ever owned a car this quiet. It's seriously surreal to fire it up, and not hear any exhaust leak, no brapping, no drama, just the smooth, fluid burble of the delicious VQ. Car has some serious pull to it now, too. I'd venture to say that the increase was a SOLID 25hp.... maybe more. It's like a brand new car. Now, it's time to replace the back half, with the Apexi World Sport 2, available in the group deal.


If anyone has any doubts about the XS Power/Stone Racing/SSAutoChrome stainless steel y-pipe and header combo from ebay, DON'T. This IS a quality piece. I'll get around to installing the headers this summer when I convert to 00vi and supercharger. For right now, though, I'm in VQ + y-pipe bliss.

 

haha yeah, when i added my y-pipe i noticed the car got slightly louder but nothing crazy. the y-pipe really changes the car, it pulls a lot harder up top. still lacks top end though. you may already know but most catbacks do not sound very nice with an un-equal length y-pipe. Thats why i got a muffler that keep it semi quiet and its nothing ricey. B-pipe is next!

Also i heard the apexi ws2 catback isnt very good because the bpipe is not stainless steel only the muffler? Im sure i read that somewhere and i was recomemnded to get the budget b-pipe with an apexi ws2 muffler.