Help!!! Can't mount my BRM exhaust to a stock KA24de??!

[Nikki]

Well...my BRM exhaust finally arrived. Decided to install it today only to discover that the stock down pipe has 2 pipes, and 3 bolts...instead on one pipe and two bolts on the BRM. It appears that I will be unable to install my new exhaust until I get a new header.

I did not know this. If I had known that a entirely new header was also needed I would have ordered one with the exhaust, but nowhere in the threads I read while researching the BRM system did it say that in order to install it, a new header would have to be installed.

If you don't need a new header...how will the BRM be able to hook up to the stock manifold? As of now, it looks impossible.

[S13xCrazy]

cut off the old flange from your stock exhaust and weld it on your new exhaust.

[S13xCrazy]

and if you cant weld, bring it to an exhaust shop/welding shop.

Im sure they can do it relatively cheap.

[Nikki]

Sorta defeats the whole purpose of the BRM if you're still squeezing exhaust through those dinky little pipes...

Guess I'll have to get a new header.....

[S13xCrazy]

Sorta defeats the whole purpose of the BRM if you're still squeezing exhaust through those dinky little pipes...

Guess I'll have to get a new header.....

umm...you never said what size pipe it was.

but if thats the case, why'd you make a post anyways?

[Nikki]

The stock is tiny...maybe 2" at the most generous estimate. The BRM is 2.5 inches.

I posted the thread because it seemed as if other people with stock Ka's were able to install their systems without any issues. I had not expected for it to be incompatible. Greg never mentioned nor did anyone else, that the BRM would not work with my engine, being stock.

[adrianfromthecastle]

wait, aren't you supposed to connect the exhaust to the catalyc converter, and not the downpiping?

[redtop91]

Yes. This thread is very odd. Please specify exactly how you are trying to connect the exhaust.

[mutiny]

I think nikki forgot the cat and is thinking the exhaust flange hooks up directly to the downpipe flange lmao

[redtop91]

I think you are right :X

[Jookmasta]

um yea ur exhaust mates up to the catalytic converter..........if you don't have one, then you should have a test pipe or downpipe to bolt it up to. your obviously not turbo'd so you don't have a downpipe. this means that you need to put on back your catalytic converter and then bolt the exhaust to it................

[AZhitman]

Ooops!

Yep - You're missing a part, Nik!

[Nikki]

This is what I have:

1 magnaflow cat

1 pipe w/ 22" resonator

pipe w/ muffler

What am I missing?

I am assuming that the pipe with the resonator bolts to the engine, seeing as it's the only one that is shaped correctly. The the cat bolts to the end of that, then of course, the muffler end.

The problem is that where the pipe is supposed to bolt to the engine, has two separate pipes, and three bolts. I even checked the diagrams in the manual, and sure enough I was right.

If I am mistaken about something, please tell me. I'm not a complete idiot. I just need some damn help.

[Nightstalker]

It is supposed to go header, cat, pipe with resonator then pipe with muffler. Mine just bolted up to the cat with no problems.

[Dattebayo]

The stock system has the "header" in two parts, the actual header and the downpipe leading to the catalytic converter. You are missing the downpipe section.

[WDRacing]

The first part is called the header, it connects to the engine. The part that connects directly to the header on the 240 is the catalytic converter. Then there is another thing that looks like a cat, however, it is hollow on the 240sx. Why you ask? Because Nissan designed it as gay as possible. This is actually nothing more then a resonator in reality. The BRM exhaust should connect to the aft side of the resonator where the two bolts are. You should NOT install the magnaflow CAT unless you have another header that eliminates the Nissan Cat that is attached to the stock header. Like the chrome one in the picture. If you have an aftermarket header, then you'll be able to use the new Cat.

So as things stand right now, you should have the stock header, the stock cat and the stock resonator installed on the car. If not, then do so. At that point you can install your BRM exhaust to the 2 bolts on the back side of the resonator.

I hope that made some sort of sense.

WD

[Nikki]

My stock exhaust doesn't look like that at all. It has two pipes which become one.

And basically what you are saying is that I can only use the muffler part of my BRM exhaust?

Uh...I'm not going to use a stock resonator that's full of holes...plus the cat is completely clogged, and most of the exhaust escapes though holes all though the rusted piping. I'd rather just replace everything so that I can use every bit of my $600 BRM...not leaving half of it in the shed while I'll drive around on an expired stock exhaust with a BRM muffler...

So....in order for me to use my entire BRM setup. (pipe w/resonator, pipe w/ muffler, magnaflow cat) I will need a new header, or compatible 2.5" down pipe?

[AZhitman]

Post a pic of what you have.

The "dual" pipe you have goes into a downpipe, then the cat, then the front section (with resonator).

[WDRacing]

Yeah my bad, she has the SOHC. I wasn't paying attention to the year. If it is indeed a SOHC, then she used the wrong motor code in the title.

I'm just having trouble understanding the difficulty here I guess. Did she perhaps buy the wrong exhaust system? Or is it a DE swapped 240?

[redtop91]

My stock exhaust doesn't look like that at all. It has two pipes which become one.

Do you have a SOHC or DOHC? The description of the header you gave is a SOHC header but you say you have a DOHC.

[WDRacing]

Does this look like what you need?

[WDRacing]

Does this look like what you need?

[Nikki]

ITS A KA24DE....

...and yes, that diagram is what's in my car. I will post pics if necessary.

I have said three of four times EXACTLY what my car is and what it has. YES. It's a pignose. NO. It is not the 12v SOHC.

So...If I am reading your posts correctly...I have a SOHC header on my KA? o.0

[AZhitman]

Well, if you have a piggy, it came with a 12v, now it has a 16v.

Who knows what's been done to the exhaust? We need pics.

[Dattebayo]

Don't feel weirded out.

I seem to remember having the same or similar problem with my KA24DE as well. (although this was like 5 years ago...)I resolved it by purchasing a header.

[Nikki]

Well, if you have a piggy, it came with a 12v, now it has a 16v.

Who knows what's been done to the exhaust? We need pics.

Okay, I will post them up as soon as I can. I don't have a USB where I'm at. So, I'll put them up tomorrow.

[Dattebayo]

This just in, the FSM verifies that she is correct, and I believe that 91-92 stock headers are different from the 93-94 versions. The version she has is just like the SOHC exhaust, but the header mating pipes are twisted 90*. Nikki, am I correct?

For reference, it is section FE page 4 of the 93-94 240SX FSM. I would post the pic, but I used all my bandwidth for the month already.

[Dattebayo]

OKay, I made a photobucket account just for this, enjoy the proof...

[Dattebayo]

And another pic for you:

It appears we have a 4-into-2-into-1 type exhaust. Lucky!

[WDRacing]

I'm willing to bet that the exhaust still simply mounts to where the stock cat is in your diagrams from the FSM. I've seen, I dunno...23 million exhausts installed...they all go after the cat. Hence the popular name, Cat-back exhaust.

Here's A BRM exhaust for the 240SX. This may not be the same one you have, but the piping and attachement fittings should be the same. See the end that is opposite the muffler? That end attaches to the cat. The piping that goes between the cat and new BRM remains stock.