Hotshot header first impression... - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

MorganS13 · 12-04-2002, 08:35 PM

First of all this is for a first gen. hotshot header. yes it had fitment problems and some of the bolt holes had to be enlarged but its all on now. I paid $100 for the header (used from a friend i met at the track who got an SR) and $100 for installation (too lazy to deal with the fitment problems myself, and its like 15 degrees here!! ). Here are some of my initial observations when i picked up my car:

1. Hmm... my N1 Duals are now crooked (i REALLY dislike crooked dual tipped exhausts, its a pet peeve i have) <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'>
2. its VERY loud! i thought my car was alright with just my N1 Dual and intake but now i'm scared of unwanted attention, i can set off alarms just idling by. i'm not really crazy about this but i'll live...
3. has a definite power increase between 3500 and 5k rpm like people have been saying, i'd estimate 5-10hp at the wheels. not only that but the power is a lot smoother and i can hear my intake sucking in air for the first time ever <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

There are two issues i'm going to have to take care of... he could not get the EGR pipe out of the old header so i have to go get a new one from Nissan and have him put it on. How big of an impact would this have on performance? Right now he just put a plug in the hole on the new header.
The second thing is the crooked exhaust. the guy who installed it said i could get a test pipe made with a flange to fix the problem, but i really don't want to take out my cat since the car is loud enough the way it is. I'm hoping he just failed to notice that the second part of the header is a pipe that can be removed and rotated, if its that easy i'll be very happy.
HERE is the header from hotshots site if you want to see what i am talking about.

Overall the sound is higher pitched than it was before. There is more sound resonating from the header in the engine bay which i've heard is due to the fact that the piping is thinner than stock. This isn't so much an issue for me but you can wrap it if its a problem.

Anyone have any of these problems or possible fixes? I'll try and get some pictures on here as soon as i can but its supposed to snow tommorw so probably not that soon.

Morgan <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

zweebach · 12-04-2002, 08:47 PM

Ha! Welcome to the club.  I've got the same setup.  I agree on the power gains and the rpm ranges, and I have similar fitment issues.  I installed mine myself, but didn't have to enlarge any holes.  My N1 dual hangs slightly crooked too.  It was worse, but then I got under the car again, loosened all the bolts, used a jack to hold the exhaust level, and then rt e-tightened everything.  It isn't exactly perfect, but it's better now.  The header has a part that can twist, but it also has a bolt to clock the pipe a certain way.  Read: the bolt keeps the pipe from twisting anymore so that's not really an option.  
 
One of my pipes is still stuck in the original pipe, but my AIV pipe is stuck, not the egr.  I just have the header plugged right now.  Also, my header bugs me because it vibrates against the floor board sometimes.  I think i'm going SR next summer (I know, everyone says that).

MorganS13 · 12-05-2002, 03:27 PM

Here are some pics i just took today:
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291029337

I think i might have figured out the crooked exhaust problem.  The second pipe that connects to the header has to slide onto the header and there was probably a 1-1.5" gap where it was not on all of the way, so i'm thinking that extra length is causing all the problems with the exhaust.  I figured that the guy installing it would push the pipe together the rest of the way but i'm guessing he just overlooked it.  I'll give him a call or just do it myself if i can.  
Also just how important is having the EGR pipe connected?  Its running fine now and no check engine light or anything, i don't want to have to go buy a new pipe from the dealer if i don't have to.

P.S. - i just washed my car 5 days ago  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

**West** · 12-05-2002, 06:18 PM

Honestly the EGR isnt important, Installed $tillen Headers on my 93 300ZX 2+2 and pluged it up for a year and had no problems.

Anubis · 12-05-2002, 07:15 PM

Has hotshot corrected the problems in their recent S13/S14 headers?

MorganS13 · 12-05-2002, 07:31 PM

yea, i've heard the new ones fit great

ghosts14 · 12-05-2002, 09:42 PM

They didn't fix the fitment problem.  The "new" model, hits right on the steering knuckle on the steering shaft.  Right hand turns suck now, cause the header and knuckle hit.  Left hand turns are fine.  

I'm thinking I may put a strut bar on the front, that may keep the body from rolling over and rubbing.  What do you all think?

gschroeder78 · 12-05-2002, 10:37 PM

You can remove the egr, espesially on an NA. I've done this with my Z32 as well. You just have to make sure all the holes and vacumn lines are plugged. If your in CA or somewhere with strict emissions inspections, I wouldn't recommend it.

CoasTek240 · 12-05-2002, 11:45 PM

dude i thought n-1 duals came out slanted to start with?
correct me if im wrong

never mind just took a look at ur pictures

240fluke · 12-06-2002, 01:12 AM

N1's do come out at an angle, but what they are talking about is not that.  They are saying that the exhaust is crooked (as in one side of the exhaust is hanging down lower than the other).  Basically when you are looking at it from the rear, the N1 should be pointing to the driver side with both pipes at the same level.  There's are pointing to the driver side with 1 pipe hanging lower than the other pipe (i.e. crooked).  At least that is what I gathered from their posts, correct me if I am wrong.

Tim '95 SE

12-04-2002, 08:35 PM	#1
MorganS13 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Midwest Posts: 707 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	First of all this is for a first gen. hotshot header. yes it had fitment problems and some of the bolt holes had to be enlarged but its all on now. I paid $100 for the header (used from a friend i met at the track who got an SR) and $100 for installation (too lazy to deal with the fitment problems myself, and its like 15 degrees here!! ). Here are some of my initial observations when i picked up my car: 1. Hmm... my N1 Duals are now crooked (i REALLY dislike crooked dual tipped exhausts, its a pet peeve i have) <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'> 2. its VERY loud! i thought my car was alright with just my N1 Dual and intake but now i'm scared of unwanted attention, i can set off alarms just idling by. i'm not really crazy about this but i'll live... 3. has a definite power increase between 3500 and 5k rpm like people have been saying, i'd estimate 5-10hp at the wheels. not only that but the power is a lot smoother and i can hear my intake sucking in air for the first time ever <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> There are two issues i'm going to have to take care of... he could not get the EGR pipe out of the old header so i have to go get a new one from Nissan and have him put it on. How big of an impact would this have on performance? Right now he just put a plug in the hole on the new header. The second thing is the crooked exhaust. the guy who installed it said i could get a test pipe made with a flange to fix the problem, but i really don't want to take out my cat since the car is loud enough the way it is. I'm hoping he just failed to notice that the second part of the header is a pipe that can be removed and rotated, if its that easy i'll be very happy. HERE is the header from hotshots site if you want to see what i am talking about. Overall the sound is higher pitched than it was before. There is more sound resonating from the header in the engine bay which i've heard is due to the fact that the piping is thinner than stock. This isn't so much an issue for me but you can wrap it if its a problem. Anyone have any of these problems or possible fixes? I'll try and get some pictures on here as soon as i can but its supposed to snow tommorw so probably not that soon. Morgan <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

12-05-2002, 03:27 PM	#3
MorganS13 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Midwest Posts: 707 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Here are some pics i just took today: http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291029337 I think i might have figured out the crooked exhaust problem.  The second pipe that connects to the header has to slide onto the header and there was probably a 1-1.5" gap where it was not on all of the way, so i'm thinking that extra length is causing all the problems with the exhaust.  I figured that the guy installing it would push the pipe together the rest of the way but i'm guessing he just overlooked it.  I'll give him a call or just do it myself if i can.   Also just how important is having the EGR pipe connected?  Its running fine now and no check engine light or anything, i don't want to have to go buy a new pipe from the dealer if i don't have to. P.S. - i just washed my car 5 days ago  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

12-05-2002, 06:18 PM	#4
West OMNOMNOMNOM Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Denver, CO Age: 44 Posts: 6,456 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: West Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Honestly the EGR isnt important, Installed $tillen Headers on my 93 300ZX 2+2 and pluged it up for a year and had no problems. __________________ West - Zilvia.net - Toyobaru.net - NapkinSketch.com

12-05-2002, 09:42 PM	#7
ghosts14 Zilvia Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Omaha, Ne Posts: 163 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	They didn't fix the fitment problem.  The "new" model, hits right on the steering knuckle on the steering shaft.  Right hand turns suck now, cause the header and knuckle hit.  Left hand turns are fine.   I'm thinking I may put a strut bar on the front, that may keep the body from rolling over and rubbing.  What do you all think? __________________ GhostS14 -'96 240sx se -Injen Intake -OBX SS -HotShot Headers; Ran. Tech Cat; 5Zigen Border3 -KYB AGX's; H&R Springs -Whiteline front and rear swaybars

12-05-2002, 10:37 PM	#8
gschroeder78 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Westminster, CO Age: 46 Posts: 507 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You can remove the egr, espesially on an NA. I've done this with my Z32 as well. You just have to make sure all the holes and vacumn lines are plugged. If your in CA or somewhere with strict emissions inspections, I wouldn't recommend it. __________________ 1989 240SX Coupe -Eibach Prokit Springs -KYB AGX Struts -Apex-i N1 Dual Exhaust Westminster, CO

12-04-2002, 08:47 PM	#2
zweebach Leaky Injector Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 91 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	Ha! Welcome to the club.  I've got the same setup.  I agree on the power gains and the rpm ranges, and I have similar fitment issues.  I installed mine myself, but didn't have to enlarge any holes.  My N1 dual hangs slightly crooked too.  It was worse, but then I got under the car again, loosened all the bolts, used a jack to hold the exhaust level, and then rt e-tightened everything.  It isn't exactly perfect, but it's better now.  The header has a part that can twist, but it also has a bolt to clock the pipe a certain way.  Read: the bolt keeps the pipe from twisting anymore so that's not really an option.     One of my pipes is still stuck in the original pipe, but my AIV pipe is stuck, not the egr.  I just have the header plugged right now.  Also, my header bugs me because it vibrates against the floor board sometimes.  I think i'm going SR next summer (I know, everyone says that).

12-05-2002, 07:15 PM	#5
Anubis BANNED Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SAN DIEGO, CA Age: 39 Posts: 990 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Has hotshot corrected the problems in their recent S13/S14 headers?

12-05-2002, 07:31 PM	#6
MorganS13 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Midwest Posts: 707 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	yea, i've heard the new ones fit great

12-05-2002, 11:45 PM	#9
CoasTek240 Post Whore! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: VA Age: 40 Posts: 3,034 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	dude i thought n-1 duals came out slanted to start with? correct me if im wrong never mind just took a look at ur pictures

12-06-2002, 01:12 AM	#10
240fluke Zilvia Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: San Ramon, CA Age: 45 Posts: 185 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	N1's do come out at an angle, but what they are talking about is not that.  They are saying that the exhaust is crooked (as in one side of the exhaust is hanging down lower than the other).  Basically when you are looking at it from the rear, the N1 should be pointing to the driver side with both pipes at the same level.  There's are pointing to the driver side with 1 pipe hanging lower than the other pipe (i.e. crooked).  At least that is what I gathered from their posts, correct me if I am wrong. Tim '95 SE