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Since I'm sticking with the stock j-pipe for the time being, I had to get the Hass downpipe ready for action. I took it down to a muffler shop today and had the O2 bung welded in and the top "dimpled" for wrench access.
Say, what's all that beautiful stainless steel in the background?
I was going to get the B15 metal gasket, but it was backordered through Nissan. The auction said this one is from an S14, but it's probably the same thing. It looks like I got his last one for now. He also sells a five layer version:
While I had everything apart, I was going to redo the hotside intercooler piping. My primary reason was because it was so damned difficult to take apart. I didn’t like having to take the front end off of the car just to take out the manifold and turbo.
After thinking for a while, I decided against it. One of my future projects will be a radiator upgrade. I’ll be converting the fans to pushers as well. With the fans out of the way, the piping won’t be an issue.
I did decide to freshen up the intercooler’s flat black finish. It had apparently eaten its share of highway debris, and it was starting to look pretty beat up.
I picked up this 3” VRS many months ago (it’s a full cat-back, I just didn’t take a picture of the rest of it).
I decided to give the can some VHT Flameproof to tone down the look a bit.
Masked off:
My “paint booth”
Here’s the full setup:
This is the 3” test pipe I picked up on ebay:
In that picture it was already partially bolted together. I test fit everything together a few weeks ago, before I took the car apart. The install was super easy. I did have to cut about an inch off of the mid-pipe and trim the u-clamp studs, but no major complications.
While a lift would have been ideal, I made do with a couple of jacks and jackstands:
It’s not exactly roomy, but I’m about 5’11” 250lbs. If I can do it, you can do it. Also notice the old blanket. I moved it around under the car where I was working to keep the exhaust from getting scratched up.
I already had the downpipe bolted up.
Then I put the axle-back in place.
Next I put in the mid-pipe. I started with the hanger and loosely connected the ends.
After everything was in place, I tightened it up. Here’s the finished product:
I’m really happy with it. It sounds great and looks great too. It does clank around once in a while, but I’m going to try out a set of Kartboy Exhaust Hangers to see if that will keep it in place:
Heatshield turned out awesome. I like how you went with the allen key bolts as well. Less prone to breaking off like those aweful bolts Nissan used in the first place.
IMO, the only thing left to do is for you to pull the VC and put some time in at your paint booth with it.
__________________
Blair
93 P10
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
What happened to the divorced downpipe? Ditch that idea for now?
Car and mods. look great BTW!
The divorced downpipe will be on that car. I gaurantee it. I'm still trying to determine my best course of action for the AC. I could...
a) Run custom AC lines and trim the AC Bracket to run the downpipe.
Keep AC, gain divorced downpipe, lose money, lose time.
b) Yank out the lines, condenser, bracket, and compressor to run the downpipe.
Lose AC, lose about 40lbs, gain divorced downpipe, gain real estate in the engine bay, gain better airflow to the radiator.
I just wanted to put everything back together while I figure out what exactly I'm going to do. I'm probably going to remove the AC. It seems like a pretty attractive option, especially considering the car logged less than 3,000 miles this entire year. If it's that damn hot outside I can drive the 200sx.
I'm also going to take the time to clean it up, get it flanged, and get a nice ceramic coating for it.
Heatshield turned out awesome. I like how you went with the allen key bolts as well. Less prone to breaking off like those aweful bolts Nissan used in the first place.
IMO, the only thing left to do is for you to pull the VC and put some time in at your paint booth with it.
Yeah, the original bolts were rusted badly of course. When I was poking around the bolt at Autozone I found those and thought they'd be a nice touch.
When I get some cams I'll definately take care of the valvecover.
Great write-up and pics I enjoyed every picture and every word. You must have a lot of patience when you begin a job. I alway start out with the best intentions and then wind up rushing though and regretting it down the line. I look forward to seeing more on your project.
