UpRev & JBA Long Tube's

[Elk Hunter]

Didn't think this day would ever come, but my JBA Stainless Steel Long Tubes showed up today. Supposed to take the truck up the mountain to cut fire wood tomorrow, so I'm gonna try and tackle the job tonight.

I have a 1/2" impact gun and a 3/8" air ratchet to help me out along with all the basic sockets, ratchets, ratcheting wrenches, jack, jack stands etc... I'll be stopping at NAPA on the way home to pick up a couple (1/2" & 3/8") good quality universal joints as well.

Tips I've read so far on this site:

- Label all removed nuts & bolts
- New Factory Gasket
- 2x4 to jack the engine up
- Thread Locker on the header nuts
- Anti Seize on the 02 sensors
- PB Blaster 1-2 hours prior to install
- Start and heat the truck up a bit prior to install
- Is there anything I am missing?

UpRev will not be here till Monday unfortunately, how safe am I to drive the truck on stock tuning this weekend? I've read conflicting threads about this... some say I'll be fine if I take it easy... Some say 1 or 2 WOT runs won't hurt... Some say don't drive it at all ?????


Any advice, tips, tricks or verbal abuse will gladly be accepted.

Thanks in advance!

[nightowl]

Congrats, I used the heck out of a 14mm ratcheting wrench and stubby 14mm ratcheting wrench. A 12" piece of 3/4 inch electrical conduit was a life saver used as a cheater pipe. Those nuts are tight as hell. I would have some extra nuts and studs ready in case you strip any. Be very careful with the sensors as they damage very easy. Have fun and take your time.

[TA CC TX]

There is good info Here,,,Stillen Header Install - 2004 4x4 Get a 14 mil open end

[BlackonWhite]

I drove with headers and no muffler for a while before I got tuned. I think you'll be fine.

[BAD 24/7]

You will be fine without a tune, I went over a year without a tune with my headers and had no problems at all.

[TitanLegion]

i didn't think you needed to use new gaskets? I just used the OEM gasket when i replaced my manifolds

[nightowl]

Originally Posted by TitanLegion

i didn't think you needed to use new gaskets? I just used the OEM gasket when i replaced my manifolds

You were brave! No way I would risk a leak with that kinda labor involved.

[josh19k]

I reused my stock gaskets also...no leaks.

[dubyam]

New gaskets are cheap insurance. Key thing to remember on a job like this - don't get in a position where you're going to be rushed. If I knew I needed the truck for a wood run, I'd hold off until after that to R&R the manifolds/headers.

[Elk Hunter]

Okay, so a buddy and I worked on it for an hour and 45 minutes last night... Passenger side almost off, all nuts off and mid pipe unbolted. Drivers side all nuts are broke loose, and mid pipe is off. We thought that we were making good time! Then found out that you HAVE to undo the motor mounts to get enough clearance to pull the manifolds out. We were hoping that we wouldn't have to jack the motor up. Anyhow, tried for about 30 minutes to get to the motor mount bolts.... How in the hell do you get to them?! By far, the 8 motor mount bolts are the most time consuming and hard part of this whole install?! Tips anyone? I'm not about to give up and drop the differential.

[Elk Hunter]

Originally Posted by dubyam

New gaskets are cheap insurance. Key thing to remember on a job like this - don't get in a position where you're going to be rushed. If I knew I needed the truck for a wood run, I'd hold off until after that to R&R the manifolds/headers.

Nissan wanted $105 for a new set of gaskets. Eff that! Called JBA and they said the gaskets they supply are just fine. They assured me that they wouldn't include crappy gaskets in a kit they sold.

Hoping I don't regret it later, but the wife is already pist at how much I've spent. Couldn't justify another 100 to the stealership. Gonna use the new ones JBA sent.

[dubyam]

Wasn't saying you needed to shell out for new Nissan factory gaskets - was simply saying you should change to new gaskets (the JBA ones are "new" as well) you'll be fine. The thing you don't want to do is go in and do all this work, and leave old gasket material in there. Because as you've discovered, it's not as easy as unbolting and bolting, so tearing it down once is valuable, as opposed to twice. As long as you go back with new gaskets, and they're of good quality, I think you'll be fine.

[Elk Hunter]

9 1/2 hours total install time. Definitely the most frustrating project I've ever done. Motor mounts were the toughest and most time consuming for sure. Took the truck for a little drive, sounds and feels so much better! Didn't really get on it, don't wanna burn a valve running to lean. UpRev should be here Monday, can't wait to finally do a WOT run!

Thanks for the tips and advice everybody.

[Elk Hunter]

Originally Posted by nightowl

Congrats, I used the heck out of a 14mm ratcheting wrench and stubby 14mm ratcheting wrench. A 12" piece of 3/4 inch electrical conduit was a life saver used as a cheater pipe. Those nuts are tight as hell. I would have some extra nuts and studs ready in case you strip any. Be very careful with the sensors as they damage very easy. Have fun and take your time.

14mm ratchet wrench saved the day thats for sure. I couldn't have done it without a few good universal joints and about 18 inches of extensions either. Broke 1 universal joint and 2 extensions. Overall, not to bad, just frustrating and time consuming. Can't wait for a set of catless Cajun b-pipes!

[nightowl]

Originally Posted by Elk Hunter

14mm ratchet wrench saved the day thats for sure. I couldn't have done it without a few good universal joints and about 18 inches of extensions either. Broke 1 universal joint and 2 extensions. Overall, not to bad, just frustrating and time consuming. Can't wait for a set of catless Cajun b-pipes!

I will have a set ready for you. I paid about $65 for the oem flange gaskets. Its funny how some smaller Nissan dealerships will try to rape you on prices. Glad the install went well and now you can tackle anything on the Titan.