Exhaust install difficulty

[Kango]

Hello. I just took the plunge and purchased nismo cat back exhaust... I cant wait!!!

I just want to know... How hard is it to install the exhaust??? The most ive done is front lip install and intake in my 05 altima se. Is there any write up on installation? Should I just take to a shop?

P.S. sorry about the thread name... I cant edit it.~
Modified by Kango at 8:23 PM 9/5/2008

[Colton92]

I have not installed one but from what i heard its not to difficult as long as u got some jack stands. I belive it is basically just bolt on

[Scandinavian Flick]

if you have the skills to operate the jack to lift the car to put jackstands underneith it, then you have all the necessary skills needed to replace the exhaust

[Kango]

hmm sounds good. Do you think using 2 jacks is ok? I dont have jack stands nor know anyone who has them.,

[Flypinoy457]

hmm sounds good. Do you think using 2 jacks is ok? I dont have jack stands nor know anyone who has them.,

That is a big mechanics no no, unless you feel like gamb|ing with your life. There is always something that can happen, and you dont want a jack that is a movable device being the only thing between you and the car. I believe you can rent jack stands at auto zone or some other automotive parts store where you just leave a small deposit and get your full money back when you return the tools you rented.

[Scandinavian Flick]

hmm sounds good. Do you think using 2 jacks is ok? I dont have jack stands nor know anyone who has them.,

yes technically that is a mechanics no-no, but.... you can do it just using jacks, true, it isnt safe, yes if the car falls off the jack it will crush your rib cage causing your lungs to collapse which would cause you to suffocate. but i rarely use jack stands, and im yet to see a car fall off one,

or you could just go to walmart/pepboys/autozone/any auto store and pick up a set for 20 bucks.

[Kango]

hmm... that doesnt sound that bad... the car landing on me. ~ I wanted to loose a couple pounds~ j/k yeah you're absolutly right about that. It is very dangerous and thank you for your advise. I actually found a friend who happen to have jack stands. Now this friend of mine with jack stands says... to uninstall stock exhaust... I need to heat up the bolts by using blow torch on them or I'll stript to bolts. Is this true?? I really would like to install it my self for the satisfaction and to save couple of bucks~

[JDRosenberg07]

now this is just me but im pretty sure metal/steel/ whatever expands with heat, so in theory wouldnt that make it harder to remove the bolts? i may be wrong but thats what my logic tells me

[LeGeND42o]

You shouldnt have to heat anything up with blow torch! Get underneath with a breaker bar, and your set. Install for a catback shouldnt take anymore then 2 hours, and a six pack.

[beeristasty]

I could've swore someone wrote a quick tips thing for an exhaust install, but I don't feel like hunting for it... So here's the deal:

1) You don't need jackstands, you could use ramps like i did. It sucked, but I managed. Just to note: this was before I lowered my car.2) An impact wrench is recommended, but not required. I used a rubber mallet and closed end wrench to break loose some bolts.3) Using WD40 will get rubber hangers off way easier than not using the stuff.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd use a lift and air tools. My back was killing me the next day

[Kango]

thank you everyone for your advise. I've received the exhaust today and man am I stoked~! I'll be installing it tomorrow. I got 2x 6ton jack stands, wd40 and a tool box with a steel pipe for wrench leverage..

Now, on the installation guide, theres a torque range chart. Do i really have to torque it to the "guide" or can I just make sure everything is really tight?

Thank you

Oh... and I'll post up some pictures and vid once Im done installing~

[LeGeND42o]

If you can loosen the nuts without a breaker bar, your too loose. I know mine vibrated loose before, so i just wrenched it down as tight as i could. But have fun, its well worth it!

[LongBeachCoupe]

took me n my nissan tech like 45 min to do it on jackstands. a mat (cardboard) helps under the car for when your layin there... or else you get concrete back and it hurts lol.

We did it with a pipe, no air tools.

[Kango]

Just done installing and back from crusin... I'm in love. wow. took me awhile though... taking off stock exhaust was pain but installation was pretty easy. It's puffing out white smoke and smells like plastic burning. But I heard that its normal and should be gone soon. I'll post some pictures and vids when I get a chance.

[JDRosenberg07]

Nice man... gald to hear your enjoying it... im gonna end up takin mine somewhere tho.. i dont trust my skills enough to try it myself. Plus just in case anything goes wrong either during or after the install, i have someone to blame...lol

[KGNickl]

Installing and exhaust is easy if you have the tools. You need to be able to jack it up a high enough to get access. Jack stands are always good for safety.

Then if the car is new or the bolts are not seized/rusted it would take no time at all and be a job you would be crazy to pay someone to do.

If they are rusted you may get lucky and be able to use a wrench or breaker bar and get them off. If not soak them in WD4 or some type of rust stuff then use a breaker bar to get them apart. If they still will not break apart you may have to heat them up w/ a torch and try again. If that still does not work you can cut the bolts out with a cut off tool, angle grinder, or torch.

One the exhaust it off its easy. You just bolt the new exhaust on in place of the old one.

[dnasty88]

so i just installed mine as well and I have the white smoke also, i would imagine its normal. is it?

[JDRosenberg07]

how long have you had it on for? it probably just needs to be broken in a little.