STILLEN header poll on 3.5 liter

[kyle@stillen]

Hey guys,

We are looking at developing a set of headers for the 3.5 liter altima's. But, we have some concerns. Installation on these headers is not easy. Typically the 3.5 requires about 10-12 hours of labor to install. This will add an extra thousand dollars or so to the cost of these parts. In the past we have found signifcant power gains with the headers (typically around 20 HP) on the 3.5 liters. However, with rear wheel drive cars the installation is a lot easier.

So...Who would be interested in some headers that would price around $600.00 for the headers themselves, keeping in mind that labor could be $1,000.00+ Meaning your grand total is around $1,600.00?

[Jose3.5]

I want in on this also but then I remembered that they have there own Altima 3.5 That's a lot of money and I will probably get even worse mpg but I want it. Didn't the 3rd gen headers always give out the check engine lights?

[bina12834]

dont forget about us 2.5ers!!!!!!

[mcheddadi]

wow I dunno about that...

1600$ for 20HP?!

I'll do sound damping, projectors, rear sway bar first, then turbo, then this at the end

[Jose3.5]

dont forget about us 2.5ers!!!!!!

Just saw on the other thread that they're almost done with it.

[adidas2go]

count me in for six months... but since Blake has a turbo, if he can't use these Stillen headers, if you need a 3.5, holla at me!

Not trying to steal your sponsorship at ll Blake, again, I'[m only throwing this out there because I don't know if this will work on your turbo setup... otherwise, we all know the Stillen pecking order

Bro, that's all you. However, I'm pretty sure they will use their own 3.5 for the install Would be interesting to see if these would work with my turbo. We didn't change anything about the headers, just past the precats'. So this might work

[rjdmmfl1]

oh yeah, I forgot about their 3.5

Bro, that's all you. However, I'm pretty sure they will use their own 3.5 for the install Would be interesting to see if these would work with my turbo. We didn't change anything about the headers, just past the precats'. So this might work

[D-Roll]

dont forget about us 2.5ers!!!!!!

[GryStrm]

10-12 hours by an advanced mechanic...using all tools that a full garage would?..ie lift...air tools...engine hoists..(incase the motor has to be lifted)?

or 10-12 hours by a semi knowledgable DYI'r with the compliment of an average to above average car person?...floor jacks, stands, and if your mehdi...a 12v impact wrench that you can plug into your cig lighter?

im with the photoshop guru...1600 for 20 hp?....once again...my vote is to put that 1600 in the turbo bank...

on paper arent you supposed to get that gain with an intake and cat back exhuast...that being said....half the cost and certainly half the labor..same gain or close enough to negate the extra $$?

[kyle@stillen]

10-12 hours by an advanced mechanic...using all tools that a full garage would?..ie lift...air tools...engine hoists..(incase the motor has to be lifted)?

or 10-12 hours by a semi knowledgable DYI'r with the compliment of an average to above average car person?...floor jacks, stands, and if your mehdi...a 12v impact wrench that you can plug into your cig lighter?

im with the photoshop guru...1600 for 20 hp?....once again...my vote is to put that 1600 in the turbo bank...

on paper arent you supposed to get that gain with an intake and cat back exhuast...that being said....half the cost and certainly half the labor..same gain or close enough to negate the extra $$?

This would be about 10-12 hours of labor performed by a competent mechanic with the right tools and experience.

This is not easy...Remember this a front a wheel drive car and you need to access those rear manifolds somehow!

[GryStrm]

ahh...so yeah ud have to pull the exhaust and...i believe...lift the engine...otherwise kill urself trying to debolt the mainfold...unfortunatly not many people here have a lift and a hoist at their disposal....seems like most of us who will buy will be taking it to a garage..

[sonicbliss]

i do believe that i would be very interested in these. the installation cost seems pretty hefty, but would it really be necessary to lift the engine? and would this set off the SES light? would it even pass emissions? i still like the idea of headers very much tho.

[Hussain]

my dad wants me to take his truck to this muffler shop i usually go to near me probably tomorrow. the guy has very reasonable prices especially since me and my friends always go to him for our exhaust mods (mufflers, cats, downpipes, headers). if i do end up going tomorrow ill ask the guy how much he would charge to install the headers..... i'm not sure if the headers would be street legal (would it kyle?). if so then i might be interested in getting them after i talk to the muffler shop guy and see how much it will cost. i mean i pretty much got an Artisan 2.5" cat-back exhaust from him (a magnaflow muffler and the piping and installed) for around $300...... so his prices are very reasonable

[FGFCacoupe]

I am a definate buyer, if the headers were available for purchase today I would buy them today. This is good news and I am very excited about this for it is something that I have been waiting to have on my car for a longtime now. 20 horses is a lot of power to be gained on naturally aspirated V6. A Lot

[NISSANtonio-3.5SBCoupe]

I am a definate buyer, if the headers were available for purchase today I would buy them today. This is good news and I am very excited about this for it is something that I have been waiting to have on my car for a longtime now. 20 horses is a lot of power to be gained on naturally aspirated V6. A Lot

yeh 1000 is alot for labor though

[windex]

I would like to be in this... But $1000 for labor is not whats up. Doubt I'd be getting these.

[Altimus_Maximus]

Sounds cool. If you're going to keep your motor naturally aspirated and want to really make more power, you need headers. An intake and an exhaust are nice, but the benefit of them are diminished without better headers, no? Wouldn't the headers help you get more power out of your intake and exhaust, unleash their potential a smidge? A few questions, however.

What about the addition of high flow cats? Seems like the headers are nice, but without highflow cats, aren't you just opening up the flow only to squeeze it back into a chokepoint?

And, wouldn't you really need a tune with the addition of headers, I mean to really take advantage of what you've done. By the time you put on an intake, headers, perhaps highflow cats, and an exhaust, you've dropped thousands of dollars, and I'd hate to think after all that, you'd be sitting on a whole lot of power you weren't even getting at without a proper tune.

Anyways, I'm no expert, just been reading car mags. I would love to get headers and high-flow cats, maybe even a plenum spacer, to complement my intake and exhaust - to basically just open up the respiratory system of the motor as much as possible. But it seems a tune would be in order after all that work, to make it really work.

[dldjros69]

what about the 2.5's are they making one?

what kinda power would these give the 2.5

[Hussain]

What about the addition of high flow cats? Seems like the headers are nice, but without highflow cats, aren't you just opening up the flow only to squeeze it back into a chokepoint?

most high flow cats if not all are illegal on the street. what i suggest are electronic exhaust cut-outs. so one minute your driving along like normal and then you hit a switch or turn a nob and all of a sudden your exhaust gets shut off and a 2nd route is opened up that has no cats, no muffler, nothing hooked up to it. it's pretty much the same concept as me unbolting the muffler right after the cats. i got a 13.912 (almost a 13.8) by just unbolting the muffler AFTER the cats. just think of what you could run with headers and 2 electronic exhaust cut-outs (one after each header..... before all 3 cats). with headers and electronic exhaust cut-outs on a STOCK 3.5se CVT i'd expect around a 13.6 in the 1/4 mile. thats my estimate without getting intake, tune, and other stuff.

[FGFCacoupe]

I have been asking about high flow cats and test pipes for a while now. High flow cats are legal because they are still catalytic converters but test pipes are illegal. Installation and development on high flow cats or test pipes wont be nearly as strenuous as that of headers. With that said, if Stillen is willing to undergo the development of headers then I dont see why they wouldnt be willing to manufacture high flow cats and test pipes also. Atleast I hope they do, I want to see what i can put down naturally aspirated with a full bolt on system before I go FI , well atleast as many bolt ons as possible since development for parts on our cars seems to be a little scarce at the time.

[audtatious]

These can be DIY installs. Other FWD 3.5L owners have installed them at home with hand tools and a compressor. Of course, the coupe may be a bit tighter than a Maxima engine bay.

[Scandinavian Flick]

i would buy within a few months, and as for the install im all DIY.

[Robs_altima]

Kyle, very simply put, what is Stillen going to do with the design and the cats?

I'm not interested at all unless the cats are reworked with high flow or deleted all together. I can't see any gains unless some serious attention is put on these or at least gains worth paying for. Will the Stillen unit replace the whole manifold all the way back to the "catback" portion?

But yes I would gladly pay $600 for the headers... Not a bad price for the material and work put into the fab work. Not like it's Stillens fault for a cramped engine bay.

I also think more people should really take into consideration the 20hp you'd pick up from headers is worlds away from the power gain on a turbo. Yes, $$$ for $$$ the turbo will give you the most hp for ever dollar spent. The car will never run like a stock turbo'd car unless you pore thousands more into the car with a standalone and some good tuning. Even then the inevitable is waiting down the road for replacement internals, rings for most. Been there, done that and lots of fun doing it. By all means though, if your goal is turbo then disregard everything I've said.


Modified by Robs_altima at 10:36 AM 7/22/2008

[Loop]

I would rather be interested in HFC's or TP's and a y-pipe than headers. A y-pipe you can DIY. The HFC's or TP's would be cheaper in labor comparing to headers.

[Robs_altima]

I would rather be interested in HFC's or TP's and a y-pipe than headers. A y-pipe you can DIY. The HFC's or TP's would be cheaper in labor comparing to headers.

I 2nd that motion.... Unless Stillen would so the whole thing

[kyle@stillen]

Ok, there are a few good topics that have been mentioned in this thread...I will try to address as many as I can, if I miss your question or suggestion I apologize...I will review the thread again to make sure I answered everything.

HFC's/Test pipes- High flow cats are not street legal in a state that performs a visual inspection. If your state only performs a sniffer test then you will more than likely pass. However, if your state does a visual test you will fail. It is against FEDERAL law to modify/replace/remove your catalytic converter unless it has been damaged/worn out/or your car exceeds a certain amount of miles...I want to say 100,000 miles. Then, it is only legal to replace your catalytic converter with an O.E. replacement. If we do produce high flow cats for the car they will be stamped with a badge saying "these parts are intended for off-road use only and are not intended for use on highways."

Headers & HFC combo's...I can't say exactly what the combination will be as I do not know yet. This thread is simply to gauge interest. In reality, headers can gain around 20 HP at the rear wheels without changing to a high-flow cat or race pipe setup. We have done this before on many vehicles and it works...If the kit is to include HFC's and Headers then the price will be more likely around 800-1,000.00 (in parts.)..See the 350Z and G35 prices as an example...

Installation- My $1,000.00 additional labor rate was simply a suggestion of something to consider. There will be those of us who can install the headers ourselves and won't have to go to a shop. However I think the majority of Altima owner's will be having the headers installed by a professional shop...In which case they can expect to pay around $1,000.00 labor...

[marvin5087]

headers alone yes i would order...headers and a race pipe i would def order right now. for those whom are interested in putting together a quality car i dont think money should be too much of an issue. About 600 just headers? or combo

[Hussain]

will it be street legal? without the high flow cats of course.

[Loop]

Ok, there are a few good topics that have been mentioned in this thread...I will try to address as many as I can, if I miss your question or suggestion I apologize...I will review the thread again to make sure I answered everything.

HFC's/Test pipes- High flow cats are not street legal in a state that performs a visual inspection. If your state only performs a sniffer test then you will more than likely pass. However, if your state does a visual test you will fail. It is against FEDERAL law to modify/replace/remove your catalytic converter unless it has been damaged/worn out/or your car exceeds a certain amount of miles...I want to say 100,000 miles. Then, it is only legal to replace your catalytic converter with an O.E. replacement. If we do produce high flow cats for the car they will be stamped with a badge saying "these parts are intended for off-road use only and are not intended for use on highways."

Headers & HFC combo's...I can't say exactly what the combination will be as I do not know yet. This thread is simply to gauge interest. In reality, headers can gain around 20 HP at the rear wheels without changing to a high-flow cat or race pipe setup. We have done this before on many vehicles and it works...If the kit is to include HFC's and Headers then the price will be more likely around 800-1,000.00 (in parts.)..See the 350Z and G35 prices as an example...

Installation- My $1,000.00 additional labor rate was simply a suggestion of something to consider. There will be those of us who can install the headers ourselves and won't have to go to a shop. However I think the majority of Altima owner's will be having the headers installed by a professional shop...In which case they can expect to pay around $1,000.00 labor...

Yeah, but that goes with the same for headers. They need to be CARB legal as well and that may take months or years to do so. I believe your 350z headers for example are not carb legal yet(could be wrong). So in this case it isn't worth the trouble specially for labor cost or man hours. This is why I prefer HFC's/TP's because they are easier to install or remove if you were to get a ref ticket. I still would like to see a y-pipe done too, they are easy install and you don't need to worry about inspections.

[Robs_altima]

I would like to see both headers and high flow cats done, illegal or not. Yes, I'm aware they're illegal but for those of us with emissions testing, they're clearly cats and visible to any inspector which has gotten me by on every car I've ever owned. Not to mention having cats in place will help to keep rasp to a minimum.

Personally I'll be disapointed in Stillen if you guys don't evenutually make the headers, cats, and y-pipe but wouldn't stop me from buying what ever you guys put out. Ideally, you guys should make both and those of us who want them can pick them up along with the headers, after all you did it on the G and the Z. How about making that Y-pipe to delete the 3rd cat?