OBX Header help

[KagedMayhem]

Alright, so I will be ordering an OBX header for my 2008 Versa Hatch on friday. The reason for this is because I just found out when I had my exhaust shop cut the rear cat off they welded the new pipe in way to close to the o2 sensor and ruined the sensor and the threads in the pipe. Now, this happened a few years ago so I can't take it back to them. I've ignored the issue for a while, but now that the car has started to throw the P2A00 code for the front o2 sensor I have decided to replace both sensors and buy the OBX header because it replaces the cat pipe. Now, I will be using a o2 spacer, and a new Fel-Pro manifold gasket. The problem I have is with the bolts. I know the header comes with the bolts to connect the midpipe to it, but what about the bolts to connect the midpipe to the catback? Do I use the factory spring bolts? If so will the factory manifold spring bolts work? I ask because i only have one spring bolt on my catback right now.

TL;DR: Replacing both o2 sensors and installing OBX header. Need to know what bolts to use to connect midpipe to catback. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

PS: I am a tech at a Nissan Dealership, but I am on my own when it comes to aftermarket. Only help I am getting from work is use of a lift to do the ibstall.

[centralcoaster33]

Personally, I would get some new bolts. Metric and sized the same as the stock ones, stainless steal. I'm not a fan of the spring type. However, I don't see why the OEM ones wouldn't work other than only having one and wanting two. I'd inspect the gasket that comes with the header also, no reason to buy Felpro if it already comes with them (they could be Felpro). If they're suspicious, then I'd get the Felpro. Hopefully the manifold studs cooperate. Good luck with the install!

[centralcoaster33]

PS - this is the header for the Versa, not the 2.0 Sentra engine. Is that correct?

[KagedMayhem]

Correct. I'm getting the OBX header made for the Versa 1.8L. Not the Sentra 2.0. The reason for buying a different gasket is because everyone I see with the OBX header says the gasket it comes with sucks. I think the reason for the spring bolts is to allow that joint in the exhaust system to flex, so I will see which of the ones that come off fit. And then will use the old ones temporarily until I order new ones.

[centralcoaster33]

Sounds like a solid plan. You are going to use the stock cat-back exhaust? I would just get the nuts and bolts at a parts or hardware store, not order them... but I'm old fashioned sometimes. I do read that some people have had issue with their flange disconnecting from the muffler. It's mostly due to rust in the snow belt areas. Anyway, the flex allowance might prevent this from happening to yours. I do see the OBX has a flex pipe in place of the cat, so that would probably help alleviate that potential issues as well. It would be really interesting to hear what this all sounds like when you finish. Maybe you can post a video or sound clip. Have fun!

[KagedMayhem]

I've currently got a DC sports catback that will be used with the OBX Header. Unfortunately, the website I ordered the header from has informed me they dont have and cant get the header. I paid $227. Next cheapest is $300, so until I can come up with the rest, or find a used header this is on hold.

[KagedMayhem]

Ok, at the moment I am unsure when I will have the extra $75 to purchase the header elsewhere. So right now I have 3 (or 4) options.

1. Purchase replacement cat pipe and install it.
2. Purchase cheap ebay cat pipe, gut it, and install it.
3. Have a different exhaust shop make me a test pipe with o2 bung.

4. Wait til I can buy the header and hope I don't kill the engine.

[centralcoaster33]

Temp fixes tend to be an extra expense. Do any of those temp parts hold any value after you're done with them? Can you sell them off to reduce the losses? In CA, you can't sell a cat, but maybe where you are you can. Having a shop replace the bung that has the bad threads seems like a cheap option. Buy and gutting cats doesn't seem that good to me. Buying a cat and selling it later seems okay with a slight loss in value and some craigslist hassle.

A little driving until you get the right parts seems okay also. What are you looking at for saving up and additional $75? A week? A month? Are we just talking work and groceries/ girlfriend/ school? Maybe walk a bit extra, take the bus and when you do drive, just limp around, real easy on the throttle and such. If it's running that bad, then make the $75 a priority. Look at it more as a repair than a luxury or optional upgrade.

If it's running really bad, then that sensor needs to get replaced at least.

[KagedMayhem]

Temp fixes tend to be an extra expense. Do any of those temp parts hold any value after you're done with them? Can you sell them off to reduce the losses? In CA, you can't sell a cat, but maybe where you are you can. Having a shop replace the bung that has the bad threads seems like a cheap option. Buy and gutting cats doesn't seem that good to me. Buying a cat and selling it later seems okay with a slight loss in value and some craigslist hassle.

A little driving until you get the right parts seems okay also. What are you looking at for saving up and additional $75? A week? A month? Are we just talking work and groceries/ girlfriend/ school? Maybe walk a bit extra, take the bus and when you do drive, just limp around, real easy on the throttle and such. If it's running that bad, then make the $75 a priority. Look at it more as a repair than a luxury or optional upgrade.

If it's running really bad, then that sensor needs to get replaced at least.

Its likely going to be atleast a month or 2 before I can afford the extra, plus needing an o2 spacer and gaskets. My exhaust shop can make me a test pipe for about $50, including the o2 bung. I'd rather do that, and start saving for either the DC Sports Header, or the Sentra Weapon R header and make it fit. And as for why I can't come up with the other $75 for so long is because i just found out I need tires. So am probably going to take the money I set aside for the OBX Header and just do the test pipe and some tires.

[KagedMayhem]

Nope. Only option now is to save up for the header. Come to find out apparently I either tightened the cat pipe to manifold bolts too much, or cross-threaded one. But one of them will not come off. So, that eliminates test pipe, and cat pipes.

[centralcoaster33]

Okay, well I hope to hear an update in the next month or two. As far as the seized bolt goes, just cut it off (dremel with cutting wheel, a hacksaw) and replace it... when you're ready. I'm sure the exhaust shop can do the same. They practically specialize in seized nuts and bolts.

[KagedMayhem]

The only echaust shop in town that I trust, and coincidentally the only one that will do extreme custom stuff like side pipes, said that its seized in the manifold. So if I try to take it off its either going to strip the hole and require taking the manifold off to fix, or it will snap the bolt which requires taking the manifold off to fix. Either way, I looked at my budget again and realized I can afford the extra $75. Its gonna be tight on bills, but I can do it. Now, thats based on what my average paycheck is. Making commission I can probably afford it even better if we get more business.

[centralcoaster33]

Okay, well I didn't know which bolt you referred to, but that makes sense. Budgets are tough. We all do the best we can with what we have... or at least we try to. I have a feeling this Versa is in good hands. You'll get it done and it will be great. A Header and offset sensor and DC sports Catback should be pretty cool. You'll want some good tires to keep you grounded. Drive safe and compensate as required, like extra space cushion for balding tires.

[KagedMayhem]

Only real reason I need tires is because the streets in this city. I just had to put 2 plug patches in my right rear tire on Monday and for some reason my rear tires wear faster than the front, and the right rear faster than the left rear. I'm thinking its because my sub box is pushed to the right side of the trunk lol. But yeah. Should be ordering the OBX header on Friday, going to install it as it is first. If I get a check engine light then I will buy the spacer. Between the Weapon R intake, the Weapon R throttle controller, the DC catback and the OBX header it should make it pretty spunky. I will definitely keep you updated