Just got them in and I'm planning on starting this weekend (Labor Day weekend). I know SR20DEN and probably some others have done many an install on headers, so I'm looking for any advice/words of warning before jumping into it. Instructions did come with the headers, but they were for 4th gen and 00-01. Didn't really say how different or how the same 02-03 would be.

I've called places around here (Jackson, MS) and no one will touch a header install.

I've got a buddy who is heavy into land cruisers, so he's got impact wrenches, extensions, wobbles, etc. We might get access to a lift, but if we can't would jack stands be of any use or just pointless? Should I invest in taps, dies, right angle wrenches, blah, blah, blah???

Also, I was looking at the gaskets provided and don't know if I trust them. Would the regular OE metal gaskets be a better option especially since I'll be on the bottle? I worry about burning through the gaskets and then having to go through the pain of replacing them.

Any and all advice will be gladly welcomed. I'm sure there are many people on the org looking for words of wisdom on this install. (I searched and didn't finid much.)

Thanks

 

You will definitely need at least jack stands to do this. All I can say is, "BE PATIENT" with this install. It can be a MFer!

 

if your bud has air tools and a decent set of tools you can get though this install. The only things that you would need that you may not have are an O2 sensor socket and some antisieze for the sensors. Other than that you should be good to go.

good luck!!!!!!!

 

I'm planning on being without the car for a few days so patience will be tested. Do you really have to remove the radiator like the instructions said?

 

no...you don't need to remove the radiator....

i'm heading out the door for a dentist appointment, but i'll be back in a couple of hours and give you my thoughts.

Trex

 

cool can't wait

 

The header install should be pretty clean and easy but you'll have to move the two rear O2 sensors. Let me preface this by saying that a Nissan Master Technician did the job for me on his personal time with me "helping"....hahahaha...that in itself is funny. I did alot of "hold this for me" and "press the pedal again...."

This is an email from Brian Catts:

[I]"The header only has ports for the 2 "before pre-cat" sensors because there's no point in screwing the 2 "after pre-cat" sensors into the header since they'd just throw a CEL. You can experiment with a O2 sensor simulator ( I purchased and installed this...www.o2simulator.com), but we advise extending the O2 sensor wires, welding 2 O2 ports into the exhaust B-pipe just behind the cat, and screwing them in back there so that you're sending your ECU "real" data" [I] (I did this also as you can see on cardomain but I kept throwing the SES light).

If you can go without the O2 simulator, that's great but since it's only $25 for the double simulator, I figured what the heck.

Since I have the Cattman catback everything fits perfect....after a couple of readjustments.

There is a threaded port on the headers for something to plug into, that is not part of our cars. This where my mechanical ignorance REALLY shows. You'll just need to get a simple exhaust plug.

After a couple of leaks throughout the exhaust, my mechanic decided to use his own gaskets, which he said were much better and everything was fine.

The weight difference between the headers and the stock exhaust mainfold is incredible. And then installing the stainless catback pulled out even more weight.

After a week or so you'll have to back and torque down the nuts. A couple of mine had loosened up a bit.

I hope that helps. I can't say enough good things about Brian Catts. I called him with the "plug" question early Sunday afternoon on his cell and he was happy to help out.

Trex

 

Got em done! Check it out!

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