Installation of Nismo Sport Catback Exhaust System

[Blackbeauty]

The following pictures represent the replacement of a stock Titan exhaust
with a Nismo Sport Exhaust Kit for the ’04 through ’08 Titans. Realizing there
was a stock exhaust change from the ’06 to ’07 model years, the stock
exhaust may not look exactly like your ’07 or ’08, but the procedure is exactly
the same as the only difference is the way the B-pipes feed into the single muffler.

The procedure does not differ for 4x4 vs. 4x2 either.

Tools required:

.....• 14mm Combination Wrench
.....• 12mm & 14 mm Sockets (deep sockets recommended)
.....• Breaker Bar
.....• Socket Wrench
.....• Torque Wrench
.....• 150mm Socket Extension
.....• Universal Joint Socket Extension
.....• Lubricant Spray

Additional tools you may want to have handy…. Just in case.

.....• Propane Torch
.....• Visegrip Pliers

Your best friend can be your spray lubricant. Spray all the nuts and bolts to
be removed, several days prior to removal. This will allow the lubricant to
penetrate the threads for easier removal.




Spray all the bolts liberally. It’s not a wasted effort.



B-pipe to cat flange




Stock tailpipe flange to muffler


Lubricate the hangers as well.



Front hanger




Rear hanger on muffler




Tailpipe hanger


Remove the nuts from the flange connecting the tailpipe to the muffler.




Raise the front of the tailpipe up and pull tailpipe from the rear over the axle
to remove.

Remove the bolts from the nuts from the front flange behind the catalytic
converters. Remove the ground strap from the stud.




Remove the bolts in the front hanger mount. There is not enough room to
slide the rear mount forward to clear the mount unless this is removed.




With the front hanger mount removed, and the cat bolt nuts removed, slide
the exhaust back and remove it from the truck.

NOTE: The provided instructions recommend the front nuts holding the
catalytic converters to the exhaust manifold be loosened. This step is
unnecessary and not recommended since that portion of the exhaust is
not affected by the installation of the new system.






Sometimes the studs turn out of the cat flange before the nuts break loose.
This is to be avoided! In this case, circumstances were not aligned to provide
me with good karma.




In this case, the worn stud can be seen where it “necks” down, so I decided
to remove and install new studs in both cat flanges. This is not an easy task.
The studs are easier to remove if you superheat the cat flange around the
studs first. The tools of choice are a propane torch and a visegrip. If the
studs break, drilling the broken stud out of the flange and retapping the holes
may be required.




The stud replacement may not be needed in your installation, but I did it as
a preventative measure. Besides, one of the existing ones snapped off while
trying to reinstall it, so it was required.



Driver’s side cat flange with new studs




Passenger’s side cat flange with new studs


Clean the cat flanges with a wire brush and some sandpaper as necessary
to remove any deposits.

Now, it’s time to get out the new system and check that all the pieces are
there. Actually, this is something that should have been checked PRIOR to
removal of the stock system.








To install the Nismo Sport Exhaust Kit, the first thing is to place the new
metal flange gasket on the cat studs. Then, loosely fasten the new B-pipes
to the rear cat flanges with new nuts.



Driver’s side B-Pipe installed




Passenger’s side B-pipe installed


Then position the hangers in the existing hanger mounts. Note the orientation
in the drawing above. The front hanger slides into the mount from the front
and the rear hanger slides into the mount from the rear. Use lubricant spray if
necessary to slide the hangers into the rubber mounts.



Front hanger




Rear hanger


To hold the tailpipe section in place while the center muffler section is
installed, slide a bolt through the tailpipe flange from the rear and through
the bracket on the side opposite from the one you will be installing. Loosely
fasten the nut just to keep the tailpipe from falling out and damaging the tips.

Lift one of the muffler/ pipe sections into place. Remember that the new fiber
gasket goes between the flanges and the front mounting bracket is attached
to the rear of the two flanges.






On the rear of the muffler/pipe section, the new fiber gasket is between the
flanges and the hanger bracket is to the front of the two flanges.







Hang the second muffler/pipe section similarly. Take care not to damage or
bend the edges of the fiber gaskets.








Install the remaining bolts and nuts, tightening them all finger tight to check
the alignment of the system and the clearance to all wires, cables,
brakelines, and suspension components.

Tighten all bolts to a torque of 38-40 FT-LB starting from the front to the rear.



Driver’s side cat to B-pipe flange




Passenger’s side cat to B-pipe flange




Front hanger bracket




Rear hanger bracket




Rear flange side view





When complete, double-check all bolt torques and start the truck. Check for
any exhaust leaks at the flanges or unusual noises. The system should look
like this when completed:








Note the difference between the stock exhaust tip and the Nismo exhaust tip:











Now, take it out and enjoy the glorious sound!

Remember to retighten all the nuts after several hundred miles to assure a
tight system.



Please note, some portions of the installation instructions are reproduced
from NISMO instructions. Always refer to your provided instructions and
use this as a secondary guideline if necessary.

[import2nr]

that looks pretty sweet.
how does it perform
is there any drone
any loss of lowend torque

[Blackbeauty]

Drone is apparent between 53 and 58 MPH... No problem... Just as Sammy Hagar says, "I can't drive 55!!!" So it's not an issue. Also, on hard acceleration, it drones a bit just before a shift, but it's momentary and not really an issue.

I haven't noticed any loss of low end torque, but I have noticed some upper end performance with it. My 40-60MPH passing acceleration seems to have improved considerably... This truck FLIES when you stomp it to pass someone.

And the sound quality.... it's virtually indescribable. It's not a bark or a howl, but a tuned growl that improves up through the power band. It's creamy smooth both up and down the power cycle with absolutely no popping or bloating on the way down.

The build quality is first-rate and it's a perfect fit on the truck. No adjustments at all were necessary to make this fit. And as Papa_D has already said, it virtually puts the stock system to shame as far as build quality and looks. I have to say, too, that I really like the 3-bolt flanges instead of the crimped pipe with U-bolts.

Worth every penny, IMO...

[bbomar]

Nice write up BB, you should do it for a living!!! LOL

[Blackbeauty]

Actually... I've recently had offers....

[Schrute]

I'll say it again - Great writeup!

Mine should be here tomorrow. Can't wait to get it installed!

[Arachnid]

Very nice job Blackbeauty!

[bbomar]

Oh, for those who have them......

Air tools make quick work of jobs like this.

Lube, the bolts for a few days, wire brushing them in between applications.

And they should come off pretty easy, if not, heat em' up!! LOL

Good Luck!

[Nissan Mike]

Great post BB,you and Papa D should be getting your contingency checks soon! LOL

[t22a80]

That sure is pretty!
Looks like a system that is worthy of the premium price. Rather then most of the other systems out there. You get a true dual cat back exhaust. I'm surprised that they went with the duals though, I thought most people had better torque with the stock Y pipe.

[P's Titan]

Nice write up BB!

Thanks for the PB pictures

[Schrute]

Got my install done - pics were helpful, thanks again BB!

Thanks again also to PapaD for starting this frenzy and to Jeff (bodean) for the hook-up!

This exhaust sounds amazing!

[Scott Burns]

Did you get any additional fuel economy from the dual exhaust?

[Blackbeauty]

It's probably one of the most common mistakes anyone ever makes... Do NOT look to performance modifications to increase your fuel mileage. That's not what a performance mod is designed to do. It will help your engine breathe better, especially combined with a good quality CAI, thus giving you better performance, torque, or power. But fuel mileage will generally not improve with mods like this.

[MuskyHunter]

Is the Nismo exhaust really this loud?

http://video.google.com/videosearch?...ter=0&start=10