I tried to install the y-pipe this weekend. My car is a fed-spec, which would mean I do not need the extra elbow for the stillen y-pipe correct? If I'm wrong, I've been mistaken for a long time about that whole issue. Also, I'm scared to go pulling on the wrench too hard in fear of breaking studs off the manifold. Car only has 52K on it, but damn those bolts are rusted on there. PB blaster didn't help much at all.....I'm thinking about re-selling it or seeing how much I could get it installed for around town.

 

Just get an exhuast shop to replace the all the hardware around the stock y-pipe so that you can remove the y-pipe yourself and install the Stillen. I got Meineke to do that for me and it cost me $30.

 

Yeah...but since they are doing that anyway, you might as well pay the extra $30 or $40 to have them throw the pipe on there.

 

True, but many places will not install an aftermarket y-pipe because it is not street legal and they don't wanna mess with emissions equipment for fear of being fined.

 

I'm going to call some places tomorrow and see if I can get some estimates...if I can't get it installed for around $70 I'll probably just sell it.....

 

isn't it true that the fed-spec cars do not need the extra elbow to connect to the front manifold? If so, why couldn't I see a flange anywhere underneath the heat shield when I removed it?

 

i'm pretty sure fed spec cars need the extra elbow...thats why they make the distinction between cali and fed spec cars when you buy the y-pipe.

 

i dont know about the fed/ cali spec- but you just need to get some liquid wrench and make sure the car has not been running if you're scared to breaking bolts. the heat will make your bolt more apt to cracking/ breaking. this is a very easy do it yourself job and its almost stupid to take it to a shop, even for parts when you can run ( or drive) to home depot for around $10 or less. just my 2

 

I just called Midas and they said they weren't sure how much it would cost. He said it could be a lot of work if the studs are pressed in at the manifold...does anyone know if they are or not?

 

Stupid huh? Let's see how stupid the idea is when you break the studs on the manifold or a bolt to the front manifold, even with Liquid Wrench and a "cold" exhaust. I think its worth the money to not risk that. If they're gonna charge you $60-$80 then sure, its excessive, but if you can get it done for cheap, go for it.

 

They are... have you tried using an impact yet?

 

I haven't done that....I'm gonna take it to an import motorsports place tomorrow to get a quote on installation...

 

Dont be scared. Torque is your friend. Dont be afraid to use a large braker bar and a little elboe grease. But if you don't feel comfortable, listen to Puppetmaster.


James

 

yeah....if i go breaking those bolts, it's gonna cost me quite a bit in the end

 

Puppet, I don't know how you got it done for $30!! Wish there was somewhere around here that would do it for that much...

 

Yeah, torque and elbow grease is what broke the stud on my rear manifold.

Seriously, I try to do all work myself all the time, but there are things that I won't risk anymore, and rusted hardware is one of those things.

 

Drive up here and I'll get the guy I went to at Meineke to get it done for ya.

 

Went to JK motorsports here in Greenville today. They quoted me $40-60 to install the y-pipe so I think I'm gonna let them do that. Big Nissan guys so they hooked me up a little bit!

 

You can try to smack the socket with a hammer on the bolt like an impact wrench sort off might free up some of the rust, i used a 1 1/2 foot breaker bar when i did mine. The pain was geting it back on. Good luck 60 bucks sounds like a good deal.

 

Nice! Looks like you found what you wanted. Are they a performance shop or what? Also, once it's installed please share your experience.

 

Yeah it's a performance shop....the owner and his son have some damn BUILT 240's...gorgeous cars.

 

anybody know what kinda gasket goes b/w the downpipe from the front manifold and the straight pipe? got a horrible exhaust leak there...really irritating. I'll be taking it back tomorrow so they can fix it. They shouldn't have let me take it from the shop like that.....

 

No, you shouldn't have let them give it back to you like that.

Btw, I assume you're talking about this piece:



I'm guessing that you need a ring/crush gasket either from Nissan or any auto-parts store. It should be the same gasket that's between the y-pipe and the manifolds, but confirm that with someone else first.

 

yeah...they were closing at 7 and that's when I got there....couldn't really do a whole lot. They're sposed to be good guys so we'll see what they say to my phone call in the AM. Yea, I'm guessing it's gonna be right at the botton of that elbow, the flange that connects to the y-pipe rather than the manifold. Only thing is, there's not really a groove to put a crush gasket in there. I'm going to try to get with Stillen too, but that was unsucessful tonight.