Adding headers to a Nissan....

[waterinthefuel]

I have a little 97 Nissan truck that can't outrun a snail on his lunch break. Would adding headers help? I've found them advertised online, they claim 4-10hp increase. I have 134 ponies now, would 4 help? <br /><br />I was told my AC compressor robs about 5 ponies, and I can DEFINITELY feel whenever I hit that little blue button on the dash. <br /><br />It's about 160 bucks, minus the coating. The truck has about 28k miles on it, would it be worth it?

 

[Chief101]

Re: Adding headers to a Nissan....

Nissan and headers in the same sentence? Isn't that an oxymoron? I doubt you'll notice any improvement and the extra noise will annoy thems next to you at st stoplites.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Adding headers to a Nissan....

Hey Chief,<br /><br />It won't be any louder, as I'm keeping it stock to the rear bumper. The manifold doesn't do much to muffle the noise, so it wouldn't be much louder.<br /><br />I'd talked to a mechanic one time and he said any time you can get better airflow you'll see a difference, even if it's only on gas milage. Is this true?<br /><br />I certainly appreciate your help.<br /><br />Anyone else's take on this?

 

[Chief101]

Re: Adding headers to a Nissan....

If you are not going to change the pipes from the header out you aren't going to change the flow much if at all. The header without the rest will be a waste of money. Chief

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Adding headers to a Nissan....

Wow, I'm so confused. I've heard that's where the 4-10 hp would come in, if you kept it stock to the tailpipe, but would see more increase if you went hi-flo all the way back.<br /><br />I'm so confused......

 

[dolluper]

Re: Adding headers to a Nissan....

You just might spend a little more than you think putting headers on that truck,most stock pipes don't fit on most headers,cut and adaptor plate welded,increasing the size of your intermedate pipe and change muffler will soon follow.Hay with only 134hp anything of an increase would help,good set of headers with larger pipe following could net you 10% gain in HP,you might want to look at different management chips for your computer,if your looking for more Hp;You guys had it figured out before I could type this by one finger express

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Adding headers to a Nissan....

Do yourself a favor and spend the money on a new intake and a better muffler. You'll see a lot more power and efficiency than a set of headers will give you.

 

[Terry Olson]

Re: Adding headers to a Nissan....

The guys are right - a header alone won't do much if anything for you. An engine is basically an air pump. The more air you move through the engine the more power you can make. <br /><br />In general terms there are three factors which determine how much air you can move through your engine. First is the displacement of the engine - bore x stroke. Second is the intake system - air cleaner, carb, intake manifold. Third is the exhaust - exhaust manifold, tailpipe. Obviously the heads a lot to do with this in that they are a major part of the intake and exhaust systems. <br /><br />Keep in mind that the manufacturer designs the engine as a complete package. The parts are matched to one another. The only way you're going to realize a SIGNIFICANT gain in horsepower by changing only one of these factors is if the manufacturer provided a poorly matched set of components in the first place. You have to go back many years prior to 1997 to find an example of this and you definitely won't find this to be the case with your Nissan. <br /><br />The way to realize more power is to change several of the factors mentioned. In this case you'll have to take a serious look at the intake manifold, the heads, and the exhaust. If you do so you'll have to upgrade the fuel delivery system too. <br /><br />This would be very expensive. A more cost effective way to have more power is to move up to a bigger truck, or a truck with a bigger engine anyway. I'm not trying to discourage you, but dollar for dollar you'll find a better result moving to a different truck. <br /><br />I'm not ripping on your Nissan - I've driven nothing but Nissan for more than 15 years and won't buy anything else. Our current trucks are a 1993 hardbody style pickup with a V-6 and a 2002 Xterra with a supercharged V-6. Both are decent towing rigs with enough power to pull my 18' Lund with ease. The pickup isn't "fun" to drive, but it has enough power. The Xterra drives like a V-8 truck but gets better mileage. <br /><br />With fuel at $3.oo or more a gallon there's a growing market for trucks like yours. By mid-summer you'll find yours easy to sell and guys who are tired of 12 MPG will be damn near giving their full size trucks away. Could be just the time to make the move eh?

 

[RetNav]

Re: Adding headers to a Nissan....

Going with the increased airflow theory, I like the K & N high airflow filters and run them on all my vehicles.

 

[20/20]

Re: Adding headers to a Nissan....

You don't need headers, but if your set on them they would help. Instead of headers run a dual exhaust with a cross over pipe, cheaper and manytimes better then headers. The cross over helps pull gases from each pipe. Example if you had a 2 cylinder, while one side is at rest{?} the other is pushing out exhaust which {with the cross over} helps pull exhaust out of the side not pushing. I hope this makes sense, I'm not the best at explaining. I got this idea out of a mag some years back. I have tried it on a couple of vehicles and was impressed at how well it worked.<br /> <br />Terry is correct when he talks about air flow, the more you can mix on the intake and the easier flow out will make a big difference. People like headers because of the flow through design no 90 degree turns or sudden stops. the gases just flow through the pipe that is what makes them better. Oh and yes some engine/exhaust designs can gain a major hp increase it just depends on how your system was designed to begain with.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Adding headers to a Nissan....

20/20 I don't think I can run a crossover considering I only have a 4 banger.<br /><br />I'm certainly not set on them, that's why I'm asking. The truck runs great, it just doesn't have much pep. It's not worth pouring a ton of money into for a very modest gain.<br /><br />It only gets 19mpg on the interstate, and 24 in town. Yes, more in town than the highway. <br /><br />Chock that up to a 4.10 rear end.

 

[20/20]

Re: Adding headers to a Nissan....

Waterinthefuel, that milage is HORRIBLE for a 4 banger. Sounds like you may need a good tune up, at the very least. I was thinking if you knew someone that had an idea of what to do as far as the cross over. In your case a header would probably be cheaper, if you don't have anyone that messes with this sort of thing. Headers can increase power by as much as 15%{sometimes more} this would give you 20+ ponys more, even a 10% increase would give you 13+ ponys. A 5% increase would give you 6+ more hp. I would ask around {maybe a race track etc..} and find out what % horse gain you could expect. Some companies would be more then glad to tell you %, call a few and compare. If they all say you should gain 8-10-9-11-7 %{average of 9+%} then that would give you a rough idea of your power increase. A 6hp gain on 134hp would be noticable now 6hp on 600hp wouldn't make much difference see my point. 28k isn't all that many miles is the truck in decent shape? If so I would really look into a few upgrades it would be worth while.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Adding headers to a Nissan....

20/20, the truck is in perfect shape. It looks showroom new. It's been my baby since 97, I got it as a graduation present from high school. That gas milage hasn't changed one iota since it was new. It's got (or had at the time) the highest towing capacity in its class, at 3500lbs. The reason for that is the low rear end. It will do 2500rpm in overdrive at 60-65, at 70 its about 3000rpm. In town the speeds are lower, thus the rpms are lower and then that brings up the gas milage.<br /><br />It doesn't need a tuneup. If anything, it needs a new rear end, one in the 3.60-3.80 range.<br /><br />I've read what websites of companies who make headers for it say, and they say 4-10hp increase bolting directly from the accumulator to the factory cat converter and out the factory tailpipe. <br /><br />To me, anything over 5hp would be worthwhile. The thing I'm concerned about are the factory brackets holding up weird little thingys wired with sensors (my technical term) to the manifold, and I don't mean the O2 sensor. I'm concerned about them fitting.

 

[20/20]

Re: Adding headers to a Nissan....

Originally posted by waterinthefuel:<br /> 20/20, the truck is in perfect shape. It looks showroom new. It's been my baby since 97, I got it as a graduation present from high school. That gas milage hasn't changed one iota since it was new. It's got (or had at the time) the highest towing capacity in its class, at 3500lbs. The reason for that is the low rear end. It will do 2500rpm in overdrive at 60-65, at 70 its about 3000rpm. In town the speeds are lower, thus the rpms are lower and then that brings up the gas milage.

I understand now, even though when was the last time the injecters etc.. were cleaned? Sounds like a nice vehicle<br /><br />

It doesn't need a tuneup. If anything, it needs a new rear end, one in the 3.60-3.80 range.

That would depend on what you want to use it for, pulling a boat{etc???} or driving around town?<br /><br />

I've read what websites of companies who make headers for it say, and they say 4-10hp increase bolting directly from the accumulator to the factory cat converter and out the factory tailpipe.

Just curious which company/s have you checked/talked with? <br /><br />

To me, anything over 5hp would be worthwhile. The thing I'm concerned about are the factory brackets holding up weird little thingys wired with sensors (my technical term) to the manifold, and I don't mean the O2 sensor. I'm concerned about them fitting.

Once again the company that is selling the header to you should be able to answer your questions and offer any bolt on kits needed? I'm not sure how your manifold looks or don't know much about your engine without looking at it. I'm sure any decent mechanic could answer questions. Just be carefull of those wanting to sell you hours of their labor bill . That's why I suggested talking to some of these "motorheads" at race tracks truck/tractor pulls etc.... These folks are a pile of info and can work wonders with engines.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Adding headers to a Nissan....

20/20 I'll answer your questions in order.<br /><br />1. The injectors were never offically "cleaned" but fuel injector cleaner is added to every tank.<br /><br />2. I mostly drive around town with it, and when I do pull a boat its a small light boat.<br /><br />3. I've checked with the only company I can find that makes headers for that vehicle, a company called Pacesetter Headers.<br /><br />They can't really sell me any labor, since they'd come in a box and I'd install them myself. The guy said these headers don't need any welding, they bolt directly to the existing exhaust with no modifications necessary.<br /> <br />I live in Louisiana, there aren't any real significant racetracks around here, except for horses. <br /> Pacesetter headers <br /><br />Just scroll down the page until you see the ones for a Nissan.<br /><br />If another company makes them, I can't find it.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Adding headers to a Nissan....

If you are not going to change the pipes from the header out you aren't going to change the flow much if at all. The header without the rest will be a waste of money. Chief

<br /><br />And most of those HP gains that come from exaust changes are recognized at WOT. And many times at the expense of torque and HP at partial load operation.

 

[20/20]

Re: Adding headers to a Nissan....

Originally posted by waterinthefuel:<br />1. The injectors were never offically "cleaned" but fuel injector cleaner is added to every tank.

That may be all you need, but it still is a 9yr old engine so............<br /><br />

2. I mostly drive around town with it, and when I do pull a boat its a small light boat.

town driving is worse then highway cruising all the stopping and starting does take its toll.<br /><br />

3. I've checked with the only company I can find that makes headers for that vehicle, a company called Pacesetter Headers.

If this is the only company that makes the header for it then maybe it means it's not worth getting headers????????<br /><br />

They can't really sell me any labor, since they'd come in a box and I'd install them myself. The guy said these headers don't need any welding, they bolt directly to the existing exhaust with no modifications necessary.

Just wondering did he offer any comparisons as to how they perform? Example of what I mean costumers that have made the mod?<br /> <br />

I live in Louisiana, there aren't any real significant racetracks around here, except for horses.

"Well heck there ya go, hook ten of them to the front of your truck and cruise away. "<br /> How about guys that own rock climbers mud boogers etc.... Any motor head usually will be more then happy to talk about mods. Just watch out for the guy that uses coat hangers and duct tape :0 <br />

If another company makes them, I can't find it.

I wish I could be more help....sorry. I don't really know what to tell except what I allready have. Every vehicle can be modified it just depends on what it is worth to do it. The other day I saw a mini van sitting on a 4by4 frame jacked way up with some 36+ tires on. To me this would have been a huge waste of money and time but to that guys I quess it was worth its weight in gold{different strokes for different folks}.

 

[KRS]

Re: Adding headers to a Nissan....

I too laughed when i read the question... but seriously,<br /><br />Just enjoy the mileage you are getting, be sure your tires are inflated, your filters are clean, your plugs and wires are new.... and laugh at us when you drive past the gas station.<br /><br />Speed matters so little, in the long run.

 

[KRS]

Re: Adding headers to a Nissan....

Another thought... maybe a rear axle gear ratio change would help, is it 2x4 or 4x4?

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Adding headers to a Nissan....

I'm not looking for speed, I just want highway merging capability. When its hot outside and the AC is on, it's downright scary to try to merge onto the highway.<br /><br />I looked into a change in rear axle ratio, but I can't find anyone who makes aftermarket axles.<br /><br />Only one manufacturer sells it because it's a foreign vehicle. If it were ford dodge or chevy 40 companies would make them. Toyota and Honda trucks suffer the same lack of variety in aftermarket hop ups. They are available, but only from a handful of retailers, not every company under the sun.<br /><br />And yes, it may be a 9 year old engine, but the gas milage has stayed exactly the same since it was new, meaning they either sold me a truck with 10 miles on it with dirty fuel injectors or they are still as clean as when I bought the truck.