Header install!!

1stGENXterra

Test Drive
Hello XN!
I've got a 2000 Xterra, vg33e. Finally bought some headers to replace my stock manifolds. Im needing help with the exhaust pipes that follow the headers. I will have no Primary cats. So what pipes are needed?

Thanks everyone
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
There's a few different ways to go. Walker makes OE style mid pipes with cats that you can buy from Rock Auto. They're budget minded.

So does Pace Setter, but don't buy them. I made that mistake on my 1st gen. They lasted about 2 months.

The complication is that the exhaust is a lot hotter hitting those mid pipes without the primary cats. And it destroys them. What I ended up doing in the end was get a custom set of mid pipes made by a local shop that does custom exhaust. They were able to supply a hi-flo temp rated cat that wouldn't melt and pass emissions (if you need that sort of thing). Cost me about 500 for those.
 

1stGENXterra

Test Drive
So does Pace Setter, but don't buy them. I made that mistake on my 1st gen. They lasted about 2 months.

The complication is that the exhaust is a lot hotter hitting those mid pipes without the primary cats. And it destroys them. What I ended up doing in the end was get a custom set of mid pipes made by a local shop that does custom exhaust. They were able to supply a hi-flo temp rated cat that wouldn't melt and pass emissions (if you need that sort of thing). Cost me about 500 for those.[/QUOTE]

Hey, I don't have testing in my county. I never think of the obvious. So with no primary cat im going to burn up the mid pipe? That sucks, Hahaha. Hmmm
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
If you don't have testing then just get the walker straight pipes. You'll still need someone to weld an extension to each one to reach the Y Pipe, but then you'll have no cats and no problems.
 

1stGENXterra

Test Drive
Awesome thank you! Going to u-pull-it today to try and get lucky on exhaust pipes. Any ways I can take advantage of the junk yard?
 

1stGENXterra

Test Drive
If you don't have testing then just get the walker straight pipes. You'll still need someone to weld an extension to each one to reach the Y Pipe, but then you'll have no cats and no problems.

Is it just possible to have the tail pipe come out in front of the left rear tire? With headers, front pipes....
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Good point. So headers, front pipe. Move ypipe forward install new muffler n tail pipe?
No. Y pipe will be in stock location for going around the transmission cross member. The mid pipes will need extending to reach that point. Them muffler and dump in front of rear tire.
 

1stGENXterra

Test Drive
No. Y pipe will be in stock location for going around the transmission cross member. The mid pipes will need extending to reach that point. Them muffler and dump in front of rear tire.

Ah ha lol. Makes sense
Ok, either way I need 2 extensions, roughly 7" from front pupe, to y pipe
 

1stGENXterra

Test Drive
No worries, man. That's why were here. If we don't help each other out, these trucks just drift into obscurity.


Hey prime, I got the headers installed. My O2 sensors up stream does not fit the bung hole of the O2, they are a little larger on passenger side. Then my O2 sen upstream on driver side has no bung for it. The EGR plug is in front on top of header then the downstream O2 sensor.
I guess my question is what do I do with the O2 sensors from here.
I would greatly appreciate any help. BTW that driver side header is a pain. Pass. Side was easy. Can't wait till start it up
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
So if you don't have the EGR system, the plug goes in that huge hole in the one primary tube on top of the header. Then the upstream O2 sensors go into the header just before the collector. One on each side. If I remember correctly, I had to extend the wires on one of them in order to reach. I want to say it was the passenger side.

Then the downstream O2 sensors go in the mid pipes further down. That is where the check engine light eliminators come in. The primary O2s are there to make sure the engine is running right. The secondary ones are there to make sure the primary cats are working. Since the headers eliminate the primary cats, you need the eliminators in order to fool the computer into thinking that they're still there and working.
 

1stGENXterra

Test Drive
So if you don't have the EGR system, the plug goes in that huge hole in the one primary tube on top of the header. Then the upstream O2 sensors go into the header just before the collector. One on each side. If I remember correctly, I had to extend the wires on one of them in order to reach. I want to say it was the passenger side.

Then the downstream O2 sensors go in the mid pipes further down. That is where the check engine light eliminators come in. The primary O2s are there to make sure the engine is running right. The secondary ones are there to make sure the primary cats are working. Since the headers eliminate the primary cats, you need the eliminators in order to fool the computer into thinking that they're still there and working.


Awesome, big help. I did the work at a buddies house. Can I screw in that downstream sensors to drive it home. 10-12 miles
 

1stGENXterra

Test Drive


I drove it home, no leaks from headers or collector flange. I got a code p0302 and p1168. I assume the p0302 is related to the other code. I didn't have the p0302 code before the install. I should be receiving the angled CEL (2ea.) Today or tomorrow. I reused the driver side upstream o2. Could I have damaged it somehow?

Any thoughts?
 

kirk

Butterfly King
Moderator
Supporting Member
Location
Allen, Texas
P0300 is multi cylinder misfire right? Did you move or adjust plug wires, and not get them back right?
 

1stGENXterra

Test Drive
P0300 is multi cylinder misfire right? Did you move or adjust plug wires, and not get them back right?


Haha, i got that code p0300, it's gone. Now I have a p0302. I'm not finding the reason for this. I still have some stiff I can check but it wasn't missing before the headers were installed.
 

kirk

Butterfly King
Moderator
Supporting Member
Location
Allen, Texas
What all did you remove/move to install the headers? p0302 is pretty specific to #2, wondering if somethings not back on or?
 

1stGENXterra

Test Drive
What all did you remove/move to install the headers? p0302 is pretty specific to #2, wondering if somethings not back on or?

I removed air intake up to the throttle body, disconnected pipes to primary cats. Then worked up from there removing cats and stock manifold.
I'm thinking it's fuel related. I have spark. I checked for air leaks around air lines. Hmmmmm
 

kirk

Butterfly King
Moderator
Supporting Member
Location
Allen, Texas
I was going to guess fuel as well. I bet you find somethings not tightened back up, or the wires to the injector on that side got damaged.
 
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