1st Gen. Exhaust options

KChurch86

Banned
Founding Member
Since I don't see too many guys or gals here talking about exhaust, I'd like to start off by asking what exhaust you're running. Be it totally stock, stock with just an aftermarket muffler, cat-back, or full on custom setup with headers, what is YOUR Xterra exhaling through?

I was planning on adding a Flowmaster 40 series to my truck, but at $100 at the local Autozone, I may go with a Cherrybomb Turbo instead. They can be had for about $35, and I figure if it made my '01 Sentra 2.0 sound as good as it did...I wonder what it would do for my X?

I'd also like to try adding a cutout with a turndown further up the line, somewhere under the middle of the truck...but I'd want to try and hide it a little bit too. I'd just go with a cable-actuated cutout, and I know they're illegal, that's why I want to hide it a bit. Thoughts, ideas, suggestions, info?

Pics too...if you've got some pics of your exhaust setup you'd like to show off, post 'em here!

Sent to you from my very own piece of East Coast paradise.
 

KChurch86

Banned
Founding Member
Ive heard people rocking the master flows, cherry bombs are generally IMHO loud and obnoxious

I guess I can say that my Cherrybomb Turbo I had on the Sentra did drone a bit while cruising, I really only hated it while on the highway. I don't drive the X on the highway often at all, those 4.9 gears just aren't for cruising.

Sent to you from my very own piece of East Coast paradise.
 
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The Red X

Test Drive
Location
Home
I am sporting DT long tubes, and a custom cat back from a local exhaust shop in Co springs... Sounds awesome!

Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk
 

TJTJ

Skid Plates
Founding Member
Location
NJ
I have a stainless Magnaflo SUV muffler and 2.5" pipes back to the cross over, where it mates with an assortment of other OEM version pipes from different years so that the 2001 exhaust could mate with the 2003 engine's headers, cats, etc. I then had the SS section pushed back about 18" under the truck, to accordion the OEM style pipes into a series of sharp bends and folds to restrict exhaust flow to everywhere but the cabin.
 

Mirage

<img src="http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u7/ra
Founding Member
Location
Greenville SC
AC long tube headers, walker OE style '00 fed downpipes (no secondary cats) and a Nismo catback. A little buzzy from 2300-2800 rpm, after 3000 it just roars, its seriously loud, but I like loud vehicles. I have gotten lots of compliments on the idle and high RPM WOT sound, but its definitely not for everyone.
 

Matt2558

<img src="http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u7/ra
Founding Member
Location
Loganville, GA
I went with the removal of the horrible y-pipe and then ran dual in single out magnaflow exhaust with a new tailpipe and it sounds really good.
 

drbandkgb

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
I hVe a nismo muffler sitting in my shop if I can ever get the time to add it..


Sent from the satellite of love..
 

TomsRedX

Bought an X
Founding Member
Location
Lancaster, Pa
I went with OBX shortie headers and the SS Magnaflow dual in single out muffler and used the factory tail pipe. 2.5" ss pipe from the cats to the muffler.
 

TKDx00

Lockers Installed
Founding Member
I've got a stock setup that needs replacing as far as I'm concerned. Would love to put headers on but don't think Il. allows it. I put headers on a 4 cyl '80 Toyota Celica liftback and a small block 302 for a Bronco back in the day... loved the results.
 
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KChurch86

Banned
Founding Member
I've got a stock setup that needs replacing as far as I'm concerned. Would love to put headers on but don't think Il. allows it. I put headers on a 4 cyl '80 Toyota Celica liftback and a small block 302 for a Bronco back in the day... loved the results.

x2 here on the headers. I'm not positive on what Massachusetts law has to say about them though...but there's ways around that ;)

I just need to make up my mind on a muffler. I don't plan on going crazy with exhaust work, I just want it to sound good.
 

TKDx00

Lockers Installed
Founding Member
x2 here on the headers. I'm not positive on what Massachusetts law has to say about them though...but there's ways around that ;)

I just need to make up my mind on a muffler. I don't plan on going crazy with exhaust work, I just want it to sound good.

KC... I lived in Lowell MA. when I did the 302. a vehicle built prior to July 1 1980 was ok for headers. That was 20 yrs ago tho. I'd check w/ the place you get your inspection done. Do you folks still pay property tax each yr on the value of the vehicle? That was one of the reasons I left.
 

KChurch86

Banned
Founding Member
KC... I lived in Lowell MA. when I did the 302. a vehicle built prior to July 1 1980 was ok for headers. That was 20 yrs ago tho. I'd check w/ the place you get your inspection done. Do you folks still pay property tax each yr on the value of the vehicle? That was one of the reasons I left.

Based on all the reading I'm doing, any exhaust modification that increases the sound/changes the tone from stock is an automatic rejection...if everybody involved is playing by the same set of laws. Just about any inspection station that I'd be going to would pass something with loud exhaust, as long as it isn't excessive. Of course, it would also have to pass emissions, as that's part of the computerized inspection. If the sniffer doesn't like what it smells in the tail pipe, you're getting a big red "R" sticker. Then again, there's a few stations I know of around here that will pass just about anything. And yes, we still have to pay excise tax on vehicles. I forget the math used to figure how much you pay, but it isn't much...

I guess that's a definite no go on the cutout at least...that was just a fun daydream anyway ;)
 
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KChurch86

Banned
Founding Member
Excerpt from Massachusetts "General Laws":

" No person shall use a muffler cut-out or by-pass. No person shall operate a motor vehicle on any way which motor vehicle is equipped (1) with a muffler from which the baffle plates, screens or other original internal parts have been removed and not replaced; or (2) with an exhaust system which has been modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the exhaust."
 

TKDx00

Lockers Installed
Founding Member
Excerpt from Massachusetts "General Laws":

"... or (2) with an exhaust system which has been modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the exhaust."

This is where I believe you can make your point for headers. Headers do not "amplify or increase the noise" IMO. W/O a pipe, muffler and cats a stock exhaust mani would sound the same IMO. As long as the right MUFFLER is used, I would think they'd have no problems.
 

KChurch86

Banned
Founding Member
This is where I believe you can make your point for headers. Headers do not "amplify or increase the noise" IMO. W/O a pipe, muffler and cats a stock exhaust mani would sound the same IMO. As long as the right MUFFLER is used, I would think they'd have no problems.

Very true, good point. Thanks for bringing it to light.

Next question...the long tube headers that eliminate the primary cats...would that mess with emissions readings at all? I know the long tubes have bungs for O2 sensors, but if there's a light showing or if the lack of primary cats changes the emissions output of the exhaust, then it's an automatic no go.

Sent to you from my very own piece of East Coast paradise.
 

TKDx00

Lockers Installed
Founding Member
KC... IMO for what it's worth...
(1) You need to speak to someone who has long tubes (preferably in Mass.) to see how the o2 sensor likes them.
(2) IF MASS. laws require the inspector to check for the cats and YOURS does, then don't get them.
However, if you know the inspector well enough say a friend maybe (hint hint hint) and they don't do the physical check, then the emmisions is the only worry. I remember on an emission test fail they allowed you to retest w/o additional cost within n days. Is that still true? If so there might be ways to clear that up in time. I personally don't know them but others might.
 
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KChurch86

Banned
Founding Member
KC... IMO for what it's worth...
(1) You need to speak to someone who has long tubes (preferably in Mass.) to see how the o2 sensor likes them.
(2) IF MASS. laws require the inspector to check for the cats and YOURS does, then don't get them.
However, if you know the inspector well enough say a friend maybe (hint hint hint) and they don't do the physical check, then the emmisions is the only worry. I remember on an emission test fail they allowed you to retest w/o additional cost within n days. Is that still true? If so there might be ways to clear that up in time. I personally don't know them but others might.

Yes, you have 7 days to fix failed safety items and 30 days to fix other failed items. I wasn't seriously considering headers right away, just a potential upgrade in the future. Of course, by the time I'm ready for headers I'm sure the laws here in Massachusetts will have changed to exclude every single thing on a vehicle that deviates from OEM equipment. Seems like that's how the state is headed at least.

I don't want to sound unappreciative of the info, I do appreciate it. Even if it doesn't help my specific situation (since I'm not planning on headers ASAP), I can only hope it will help others reading this thread.

I'll see if I can get a hold of Ripper here, IIRC he's planning on headers as well. Next time I'm in town near my usual inspection station, I'll swing in and ask them specifically what the laws say and post up my findings to help clarify for other Massholes.

Sent to you from my very own piece of East Coast paradise.
 

TKDx00

Lockers Installed
Founding Member
Found out today I can put headers on!!! WOOOOHOOOO :w00t:
Now, stainless or ceramic...what's the difference besides $40 (AC's versions)?
The ceramic claim 15% better HP and some improved gas milage whereas the SS doesn't say.
I'm stoked now... :tunes:
 

Ricel

Wheeling
Founding Member
Location
Rhode Island
Church im in your same boat down in RI. Pretty sure they look, but ive got to get inspected this week so ill ask them then.
 

dhyde79

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Location
Amarillo, TX
Found out today I can put headers on!!! WOOOOHOOOO :w00t:
Now, stainless or ceramic...what's the difference besides $40 (AC's versions)?
The ceramic claim 15% better HP and some improved gas milage whereas the SS doesn't say.
I'm stoked now... :tunes:

ceramic will be cooler, stainless won't, get the ceramic, then wrap them too, and you'll be much better off...
 

ChiXterra

Wheeling
Can't do that here. Cops would stop me before I got out the driveway. Looking for a deep low sound but NOT LOUD!!!:questions:

Move out of the suburbs, then you won't need to get your vehicle tested, and cops are more leniant!

biggrin.gif


I am going to do a Magnaflow or Nismo Cat Back exhaust, eventually.
 

dhyde79

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Location
Amarillo, TX
I went to the DT page but didn't see the Xterra listed for headers. Which one's are for us? I found the AC ones.

I honestly think that DT dropped support for the xterras, I know of a few people that have DT long tube headers but they've been gone from the site since I bought my X, and the shorty headers were the only options...if you can't find xterra stuff at all, that may back up my theory.

Even NISMO no longer supports the current gen xterra....no CAI or catback for them at all...
 

granitex

Skid Plates
Founding Member
Location
Columbus OH
You have to get the thorleys through ruggedrocksoffroad. Stevo is a great guy to work with, a nissan wheeler helping nissan wheelers.

http://ruggedrocksoffroad.com/

The headers are limited production runs set up by Steve. Just goes to show the lengths that he will go to make something happen.
 

TKDx00

Lockers Installed
Founding Member
Thanks Granite... the price for the RR's are the same as AC's. I'll have to contact them to see if the additional parts for the install are the same as well.

Chixterra...you live in the same state/county as I do, we both have the same inspection laws. Your locals are less strict on the noise than mine are.
 
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