Gauging Interest: 2.5 liter headers

[kyle@stillen]

OK Guys so development is pretty much done but we have a question for you.

How many people would be interested in buying headers that gain 10-12HP at the wheels, are easy to install, and priced affordably, however they will set off your check engine lights? We are finding that it might be impossible to turn off the Check Engine Lights and we want to get your opinions on that before going into production. We have one last idea on how to make the headers work without setting off Check Engine Lights but we want to find out how many people would still buy them even if it turned on their lights?

Thanks!

[LongBeachCoupe]

Is the reason for the light going off known?10+ at the wheels... big boy gains though!

[adidas2go]

I imagine they are removing the pre-cat and the car is throwing a "catalyst efficiency below threshold" CEL. Nothing to worry about. All 3 of the cats are off my car

[kyle@stillen]

Is the reason for the light going off known?10+ at the wheels... big boy gains though!

Yes, we know exactly what is going on. Basically these cars have 4 wires in the O2 sensor, 2 for the heaters and 2 for the measurements. The two wires are measuring short term fuel trim as well as cat efficiency. Normally, we could put in an emulator or a clamp and fool the system. Unfortunately we can't do that as that would confuse the other systems.

We've measured a/f ratio's and there is no concern about the engine running lean or rich due to the cat inefficiency codes. It would just be a little light on the gauge cluster all the time.

[BlackNWhite]

No. I thought I could live with the light from the tire pressure system because when I had my 18"s on... it didn't bother me.

Now that I have my 20"s on and they switched the sensors... it's so nice not to have a stupid light staring at you all the time.

So I know the check engine light would annoy the hell out of me.

[JDRosenberg07]

yeah i had a cat cut out of my old car cause it had a hole in it, and then straight piped it and there was a bad O2 stat and i had my check engine light on ALL THE TIME.... it did get pretty annoying... but for 10-12 whp gain... im still on the fence...lol

[minivan_don]

i think most almost everyone would prefer if the CEL did not come on as we might alread have a light or 2 already on from other mods such as wheels but no tps's ... but as most - if we know why its on, then we might be ok with it and hopefully nothing is truely failing as the CEL will already be on.

when you are testing the header and are yielding 10-12 hp, is that based on the stock exhaust system or on a stillen/nismo/other performance exhaust? (i think i know the answer im just being picky)

any ball park price on this?

[Voodoo Coupe]

Ive got a tire pressure light on constantly and an airbag light that blinks non stop neither of them make a difference to me I could care less about one moredumb *** light if it means a decent hp gain. bring it on!

[adidas2go]

Kyle,

You guys have tried an o2 sim adapter?

http://www.ichibausa.com/o2siadcelfix.html

Its only an electrical circuit, and all electricity can be controlled in this car. I'm sure there is a way to get rid of that light. Are you guys open to ideas?

[kyle@stillen]

Kyle,

You guys have tried an o2 sim adapter?

http://www.ichibausa.com/o2siadcelfix.html

Its only an electrical circuit, and all electricity can be controlled in this car. I'm sure there is a way to get rid of that light. Are you guys open to ideas?

Blake,

Yes, we have tried that...We have actually been using similar system's on other headers for many years. Unfortunately their systems are no longer matching the wavelength of the new computer systems. It is becoming increasingly more difficult to modify or replace catalytic converters on these cars these days. Take for example the 350Z, G37, and 07+ Nissan Titan's. If you want headers or HFC's for those cars...You're going to have check engine lights.

We do have one idea that we are going to try this week or next. Hopefully it'll work but I don't know yet.

[Vital]

10 hp to the wheels sounds really good, but having light on will bug me for as long as i drive the car, so i'll have to pass on it.

Please figure a way to not set the light off

[jaxcoupe]

The main problem with the CEL being on even knowing why it is originally on that I have is, what if later on something really is wrong with the engine but I can't tell because to me, it is normal for the CEL to be on? Or would I most likely notice if something was wrong with the engine whether or not there was a light? IDK.

[CoutureCoupe]

Correct me if Im wrong but wouldnt the CEL create issues when attempting to get an inspection? I have had issues in the past that my car was not passed due to the light being on.

Unless of course, you slip the mechanic a $20 underneath the table.

I am interested in the headers, but with the CEL constantly on... I'm not too sure anymore

[CanadianCoupe]

The main problem with the CEL being on even knowing why it is originally on that I have is, what if later on something really is wrong with the engine but I can't tell because to me, it is normal for the CEL to be on? Or would I most likely notice if something was wrong with the engine whether or not there was a light? IDK.

I really want these headers, but I feel the same way as jaxcoupe. I really could care less about a light being on, but you could miss a big problem by ignoring the CEL. Also, I am sure the dealership would give you **** for brining in your car with the CEL on.

[crayzitalian3]

i would love to get this!

[D-Roll]

I wouldnt mind the SES light, hell I see my tire pressure light all the time, so what's another light

[crayzitalian3]

I wouldnt mind the SES light, hell I see my tire pressure light all the time, so what's another light

lol yeah its just a light, its not going to hurt anyone

[Vital]

lol yeah its just a light, its not going to hurt anyone

Until u DO need to check your engine. Few months later u might have reeeally big problems.

[JDRosenberg07]

Its really tempting tho... 10+ gain and a CEL... or no CEL and less power...lol

I want them soo bad and i would def get them if you guys can fixd the CEL problem but i may get them even still. My only concern is light the rest of the guys.. If something happens that would set off the CEL for a real reason but you wouldnt know cause its always on...

Such a hard decision!! lol

[LongBeachCoupe]

check engine lights are sometimes referred to "dummy lights" (from my extensive year of auto mechanics in HS, back in 99 lol)

Meaning if you need that light to go on letting you know somethings wrong, you are a dummy! lol

With all the electrical stuff in cars now though, idk if id make the leap with a CEL constantly on... but if you are looking for gains... its a different story i suppose...

[adidas2go]

Thats retarded. CEL lights are meant to tell you whats wrong with your car. There are a couple hundred of them that will set off the light. Dummy light, I think not.

[opekone_1988]

I have to agree with adidas. I think it’s just a basic precautionary item to have the check engine light available considering we have had some issues with the altimas (Due to its new nature). With that being said, I would hold back on buying headers... 10-12hp's aren’t enough to compromise ease of mind.

[strangebh73]

kyle,

so what exactly did you guys do? take out the cat? make it smaller? why do you need to use a sim? i know some older se-r spec v sentras had headers with cats in them. I'm just curious i would love a header for my car but working for nissan and being a mechanic, the light would drive me nuts.

[adidas2go]

You work for Nissan? Then just get your hands on the consult III and reset the parameters of that sensor! Then your golden

[bhs07c]

Yeah, I don't think the warning light being on is a big deal at all..if anyone is really worried then they could just invest in a scanner and check their engines every once in a while. This type of sacrifice happens all the time. I work on my car all the time with a friend who drives a sick *** mustang and he said that it's the same deal when they install headers as well. Not a big deal. I'll buy any day.

[adidas2go]

I agree with the scanning tool. With everything involved with adding a turbo to this car, we excite 3-4 SES lights. Idle to high and both catalysts below efficiency (since they aren't on the car ) I plug the scanner in and monitor them them constantly to make sure nothing is going haywire.

[JDRosenberg07]

hmmm... thats an idea.... how much does a scanner cost? oh and noob question but how does it work?..lol

[adidas2go]

60 bucks at autozone. OBDII type.

[dldjros69]

Kyle - Stillen

Any updates?

How is the SEL issue coming along?

[HighSchoolCoupe]

Well in NYS you will never pass state inspection with that light, its an automatic failure. Any development on the 3.5?