NWP VIAS block plate

[06SE-R]

I searched the forums a bit but didn't really find but one topic of this and it really wasn't useful. I was wondering if any of you have done this mod and if so what you thought. I am thinking of doing it myself but I am wondering if it is difficult looks pretty simple but idk? http://www.nwpengineering.com/Phenolic_ ... .html#VIAS

[06SE-R]

Okay so I ordered the part from the link that I posted above. took about 3 days for it to arrive. It came with EVERYTHING you need including step by step directions with pictures( which if you're like me it helps )
took about 20-30 minutes to do I haven't taken it for a spin yet i'm allowing the black rtv time to dry, however after I take it out I will let you guys know how it went.



Update :
Runs Great!I know that a few have complained about losing torque in the low end but I can't tell a difference feels the same to me but after 3500 RPMS I can tell a HUGE difference Love it.

[DrewH]

I wish I would have seen your post sooner so I could have answered your question but you came to the same conclusion. I never noticed a drop in the lower RPMs but I had other things done to the car when I installed this. That's the one thing that people had recommended since I imagine it would be more noticeable on a bone stock engine.

[06SE-R]

Yeah I suppose it would be more difficult for someone like you to notice the "drop" The only mod that I have if you even want to call it that is a CAI that's it and I didn't notice an torque loss whatsoever
I would LOVE to get headers however I don't think that's going to happen. I am probably going to open up the exhaust some haven't really decided what I'm going to do but I'm definitely going to do it myself I'm not paying $600-$1300 for an exhaust system. what i would really like to do is run it dual all the way back but i'm not sure if the mufflers would hold that much? any suggestions?

[DrewH]

There's at least one person that I know of that has a custom true dual exhaust but most people who look for that kind of flow go with 3" from where the y pipe comes together back to a 2.25-2.5" split. That's what I'm doing.

Not that you wouldn't want to tune it anyway but if you go with headers you'll need an Uprev tune to eliminate the CEL codes. Also what I plan on doing. I have the headers just waiting til I'm ready to tune to install them.

[06SE-R]

almost sounds identical to what I want to do. Just curious what's the idea behind 3 inch to 2.5 ? better flow that way? and would i need to get it tuned if I did that?

[DrewH]

It's a flow/exhaust gas temperature thing. No matter what you do you'll never "need" to get a tune but to get all the performance you're paying for you will. Regardless, if you decide to build HP you should pick a point in your cars future (mod wise) and get it tuned. I mentioned needing to get a tune with headers because 05-06 Altimas have wideband oxygen sensors and will throw a CEL. There are supposedly people out there that claim to be CEL free but I almost feel they're like unicorns and leprechauns. Depending on where you live you should have an Uprev tuner somewhat close to you and its typically not that expensive ($500-$600). I know thats still a chunk of change but it will eventually pay for itself. For example; My car gets +/-29 MPG (all highway) and I KNOW it runs pig rich. I'm sure with a tune I'll be in the 30's due to all the power that would be freed up. Whats held me back from getting tuned is that I'm not done and I only want to do it once. Headers (installed), 3" exhaust, SFR intake manifold, probably larger intake and I'm there as long as I can fight off the cam urge.

[06SE-R]

ah gotcha I understand now. makes sense. Thanks for the info I will definitely keep this in mind as well as the 3" to 2.5" when I do the exhaust and I am going to go true dual exhaust anything else IMO is a waste

[DrewH]

Just remember that an important key with exhaust is keeping the gases as hot as possible all the way to the tips. Another option and probably the best option for performance is a 3" single all the way

[06SE-R]

So replace the single exhaust pipe that's under the car with 3"and let it run into a dual exhaust system?

[DrewH]

That's what you would do if you want to stay dual at the bumper. Run 3" from the Y under the motor to the split in the back. At the split you would run two 2.25" or 2.5" pipes out to two mufflers. What I was referring to in my last post was running 3" the whole way and only having one muffler. That's probably the best setup for performance. Its very JDM and very few People have gone that route. Partly because you would have to do some fiberglass work to patch up the other muffler exit or live with it.

[06SE-R]

Hmm I see what your saying. tough call because i really like dual tips on the SE-R I wonder if the stock mufflers would hold up to a 3" flow or if I would want to upgrade.

[DrewH]

They are higher flowing mufflers (part of the reason we got the extra 5 hp) but I don't know anybody who went that route. It won't make that much of a difference if you don't free up flow before the 3". Here's where it gets fun. You may want to consider a catless y and high flow cats first if you don't plan on headers later. This is why you need a plan. In case you're wondering Racingline high flow cats, Racingline catless Y, and the stock SER exhaust is loud but the performance boost is awesome. Best part past the kick in the pants, no CEL.

[06SE-R]

Thank you for the info!! I'm sorry if I'm getting on your nerves with the 5645646465546464 questions. I've only had the car a little over a month so I'm still trying to draw up a plan I'm thinking the Y pipe is a must. seems pretty simple to install. I think since I can't afford headers I"m going to do the Y pipe to 3" back to the stock high flow mufflers

[DrewH]

No worries. If you're confident on your decision to not go the headers route I would urge you to consider saving a few bucks and pick up high flow cats at the same time as the y pipe. You'll love the performance and it would eliminate the question that is what kind of shape are your precats in. You may or may not know this but the precats are somewhat notorious for problems as the mileage increases. You may want to try and find a used y pipe if you plan to cut it up to go 3" right away but remember that they're auto/manual specific. Another option is having a competent exhaust shop fab a custom y for you. The benefit of going that route is that they can make it so that it tucks just inside the subframe instead of hanging below it. Most people who go low have varying degrees of a beat up y pipe because of this. Options options options. Regardless of what you plan on doing to your car I would encourage you to do the work yourself if you have tools or access to them. The amount of money you'll save from that alone will help pay for whatever you plan to do next and you'll get to know your car.

[06SE-R]

Note taken on the high flow pre-cats very good point. as far as the used Y pipe I'm not too sure on that I would feel a lot more confident buying a new one. The reason that I have ruled out the headers is due to $$ however I have been searching and recently I came across this http://www.meganracingperformance.com/2 ... 91113.html
Seems WAY too good to be true but idk? Also I know that i'm beating a dead horse here but what's up with the CEL will I get it if I go the header route? will a tune of the ECU fix this ?

[DrewH]

There are a few cheap headers available. If you search on eBay you'll see that they vary in price but are essentially the same. Besides the cheaper ones the only person who may still make them but I highly doubt is Cattman. They were pricey ($700+). The differences are tube before collector lengths and tube thickness. Longer runners before the collector produce good torque while short ones increase high rpm HP. If you decide to go with cheaper headers (plenty of people have and are happy with them) I would recommend getting them coated. Swaintech would be the best way to go and would increase life of the headers, lower under hood temps, and increase power. I don't know where you live but one thing to take into consideration is emissions and inspections. Your car will fail both IF they look while it would pass both with high flow cats. If you go the headers route you will NEED an Uprev tune to delete the secondary oxygen sensor codes. If you don't you will throw a code and your car will run even richer. Last but certainly not least is the installation. Header install on these cars will make you want to punch a baby and if you don't do the work yourself cheap headers aren't cheap anymore. It's a long install with the engine still in the car and there's no saying what problems you may run into. It can be done though and it's a huge plus on performance since it eliminates the choke point that is the stock manifolds.

[06SE-R]

Thanks. I'm in Cincinnati Ohio so NO emissions I think I'm going to go ahead and purchase the headers and wrap them as you've suggested and I will probably have a shop install them I don't have the garage space at the moment thanks to my brother's 240 as far as the tune goes will sending my ECU to technosquare take care of that or are you talking about something totally different?

[DrewH]

I would advise against wrapping them and go with a spray coating. It's more efficient, longer lasting, and better performing. It is more expensive but worth it if you ask me. Technosquare no longer flashes ecu's which is ok because you'll be better off getting your car tuned on a dyno by Uprev.

Google Uprev and Swaintech.

[06SE-R]

I gotcha going to order those and the nearest uprev to me is in Lexington about an hour and a half away not bad at all. I feel ashamed that I didn't know these guys existed. any idea on pricing I got on their site and it's temporarily down due to "attempted hacking" i'll give them a call tomorrow for sure though

[DrewH]

It's typically around $550-$600. I would call them and explain that you have an Altima to see if they've tuned one before. It's pretty trick. You can select 5 different maps via your cruise control buttons. The next question is deciding when to go. It I were you I'd wait til I had more work done to your car.

[06SE-R]

nice so you can choose to like just cruise but when want to run you can choose a different option>? and I figure get the headers and exhaust work finished then get it tuned. would LOVE cams but there's no way the wife would kiiiiill me haha



Update: I just ordered the headers from the link I posted above. w00t

[DrewH]

There's a valet, security, normal, etc.. setting. The headers probably won't have an EGR bung welded in so you'll have to decide if you want them to weld one in or run without one and have Uprev delete those codes as well.

[06SE-R]

okay. so what would you suggest to do with the EGR

[DrewH]

I'm in the same boat and am waiting to hear what the tuner has to say. Basically I need them to tell me if the adverse effects of eliminating the egr can be tuned away. I think they can. The down side.. It's illegal but then again so are the headers. The up side.. It's a filthy aspect of the motor and your intake manifold/valves/injectors will be glad it gone.

[06SE-R]

lol indeed I suppose we will have to wait and see. Let me know what he says. I'm always up for getting rid of the useless thing.

[DrewH]

Well since you installed a VIAS plate you can eliminate that vacuum line and canister that was originally hooked up to the VIAS. The sensor can be disassembled, left plugged in, and tucked away. Cleans up the engine bay a bit.

[06SE-R]

any updates? and I got bent over on the headers. took my money and i'm left with no returned calls,emails etc bleh!

[DrewH]

Who was going to do the install?

[06SE-R]

Who was going to do the install?

I didn't even receive the headers. I apologize I didn't make that clear.