New Exhaust and Header

[1997 240SX SE]

Hey guys! Well it's finally done! As of today I have installed my Hotshot Header, Random technology Catalytic Converter and my Apexi N1 Dual. I must say it was aggravating but fun. It was also a good learning experience as this was my first time working on an import. I gotta say I will never go back to American Cars. The whole systems sounds great. I already had my Injen CAE in and with all this added the car is running unbelievable. If anyone has any questions about installations I'll do my best to provide any info. So long! &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

[ghosts14]

Cool, Cool. That is the same setup I am doing soon. How does it sound, is it really loud or just right? How hard was the install and about how long did it take you?

Thought of another question. &nbsp;Did the Cat, come with any gaskets or bolts or anything?

Thanks for your help

[anthony240]

sounds similar to what I'm doing. how long is the header? did you place the random tech cat where the resonator was for a working cat? how is the engine reacting to this? I know that the hotshot header bypasses the working cat on the S14, and will bolt on the hollow resonator, which is why I'm asking these questions. are the oxygen sensors still in the same place? is the random tech cat a universal part? what size (length, diameter)? if you can, please do a breif overview of the install, and where you got the parts, thanks!

[ghosts14]

anthony240, the cat from Random Tech is a direct bolt on. &nbsp;It bolts where the resonator is currently on the stock exhaust. &nbsp;I was told this information by a Random tech Rep. &nbsp;The in and out size for the cat is 2.5 inch.

[Cam]

Cool! You did your full exhaust upgrade on the same day I did my full suspension upgrade! And you did the EXACT exhaust that I'll be doing next! Creepy... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':look:'> Where did you get your parts from? Email me at [email protected] if you'd rather...

[1997 240SX SE]

I started the night before by spraying some stuff on all the bolts including the exhaust manifold and bolts on the pre-cat and resonator. Let that stuff soak over night. Trust me it helps. I started with the removal of the heat shield over the exhaust manifold then I removed the exhaust manifold from the engine and the Cat. After that I dropped the whole exhaust from the car. Keep the nuts from the Exhaust manifold and clean them good if necessary you'll have to reuse them unless you buy new ones. Also replace the manifold gaskets. The Hotshot header doesn't come with new ones. Not sure if any other brands do. Ok the real pain in the ass for me was trying to get the header in the engine. The directions said it will fit EASILY between the steering linkage and the tranny..HAHA sure if you call 2 hours easy. Just be patient. For me it was like playing tetris trying to make it fit. I didn't have a lift I was on ramps. Put the exhaust together before hanging it from the car. Highly recommended to do so. in fact put it together with the cat connected to it. Make sure you tighten the bolts evenly on the exhaust or else you might have a leak. There are 3 bolts along the top and on the bottom. The sequence I did was (1st)Top corner, (2nd)Bottom,(3rd)Other Top corner, (4th)Top Middle. Once it's together hang it from the car and all you have to do is connect the Cat to the header collector. Any other questions..Feel free to ask By the way make sure you check for all gaskets and bolts and washers etc...before doing any work. I neglected to do so and found that Apexi was so nice to forget all equipment except for gaskets. I had to go to a local Mod shop to buy all the bolts and washers. Thank God they had the right size that I needed.

[1997 240SX SE]

Oh the stuff I sprayed on the bolts was something called PB Blaster. I got it autozone for about $5. Stuff worked great. Be prepared to spend a whole day or 2 possibly if you are going to do the full system like I did. Leave time for problems because believe me you will come across some. But hopefully everything will go smoothly. I got all my parts except for the Random Tech Cat from www.enjukuracing.com. They are in Florida and they are great to deal with.

[1997 240SX SE]

Ok sorry one more reply. THere were a few questions to answer. I ordered the Random Technology Cat from www.lightningmotorsports.com. You have to pay extra for a hardware kit which comes with all bolts and gaskets. I think it was like $15 extra on top of the $198 for the cat and to ship from Louisiana to Boston it was $12. But you should order it soon if you want it because those Cats are backordered everywhere. I contacted Random Technology themselves and they are the ones who are behind in manufacturing. So give your self sometime or if you can't wait just do the whole system and put it on when it gets shipped.

[ghosts14]

After everything was installed and you started the car, did you get any check engine lights or anything like that? &nbsp;And the sensor connects, they were all in the correct places and everything?

[1997 240SX SE]

After installing everything I started the car and let it idle for about 10-15mins to let the ecu get used to the new airflow. Its been about 3 days now and no lights <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> &nbsp;The hotshot header comes prefit for the 2 O2 sensors and the EGR Tube so no drilling necessary.

[Anubis]

this is the revised version of the HS header for s14 right? Sounds like its a lot better then the last one was.

[ghosts14]

I got everything ordered yesterday, the cat, headers and cat-back. &nbsp;The cat-back is on back order. &nbsp;I thought I would get all the needed parts, so i will be ready to go. &nbsp;I went looking for the header gasket and was told that I may want to get studs and yokes and new nuts at the same time. &nbsp;Would you recommend any of the extra crap?

[1997 240SX SE]

OK guys, I've come across a little problem. I guess the current Hotshot Header is like the 2nd or 3rd REdesign. Today I took 2 right turns at around 30mph and it seemed like the steering linkage got stuck on one of the header pipes. I'm gonna look more into it this week but I did hear that they redesigned their header because of this problem. One way I heard to fix it is to collapse the steering linkage and put the steering knuckle on the other side. I guess somehow its supposed to make more clearance. As soon as I hear something, I'll add it here.

[ghosts14]

That sucks, is there anyone else that has these headers installed that have or had the same problem 1997 240SX SE is having?

[1997 240SX SE]

Ok an update on the header problem. So far it's only happened those 2 times from my previous post and I contacted Hotshot and all they said was to call them back in a week and they would research it.....sure they will. Anyway here is a link to an album with some pics of my car and work done so far for any of you who are interested.
My Car (http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291719857) &nbsp;

BTW
if you look through the pics you will see that I was able to get the AEM Bypass on my intake without having to cut any piping..I'm not sure why but I heard from a lot of people that they had to cut to get it to fit...hmmm..

[ghosts14]

I am happy to hear that it hasn't happened again. &nbsp;I have received the headers and the cat will be in monday. &nbsp;The cat-back is on back order for 3 weeks, damn. &nbsp;

I was looking at the instructions and read at the bottom that I will have added 12 hp once installed. &nbsp;Is the true?

About how much should I expect to gain from the headers, random tech cat, and N1 dual. &nbsp;This in addition to Injen intake with extension.

[1997 240SX SE]

The hotshot header claims you will get a 12HP increase and 10 ft/lb of Torque......YOu never should go by company claims. I have heard from a few friends that with the whole system you will probably see an increase of about 25HP.