VK56DE (5.6L Titan) Headers

[Miner]

Once again Nissan's ability to design good vehicles has been compromised by the quality of the parts they build them with. Like every other Titan the headers cracked and were replaced under the extended warranty around 100,000km. I naively believed that the replacements would included revisions to prevent the failure....

Now after another 100,000km I'm listening to exhaust leaks while the headers are cold and contemplating the cost and options to replace them.

To my recollection LookZcustoms had the same problem at Christmas, NismoJunky has gone the Long Tube route and Xcited, well I haven't talked to him sine AW 2011. My question to the Titan guys is what have you done, what would you do, and what is the best option when towing is your primary use (torque gain, or no loss below 3500 rpm)? Also cost is a concern so before spending $800 on longtubes, $600 on new B-Pipes, $XXX on a custom UpRev tune...I might just trade it for a F250, but I don't want to go that route for a couple of years.

Options (I know of):
- JBA Shorty Headers, weld on to the existing primary cats.
- Doug Thornley Long Tube Headers, bolt onto existing b-pipes and loose primary cats (tune required?).
- Stillen Long Tube Headers, bolt onto existing b-pipe or replace b-pipes with Stillens and loose primary cats (tune required?).
- Nismo Long Tubes, discontinued but might get lucky.
- Stock poop Headers, replace with the same faulty parts and sell/trade the truck before it hits 300,000km and they fail again.

I spoke to Kingston Nissan as I feel this is a known issue and it shouldn't be a component with a MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) of 100,000km, however they indicate that there is no extended warranty or service campaign for the header failures.

Any insight on repair options, complexity of install, etc is appreciated.

[Bow_Tied]

In the muscle car world long tube headers serve to improve torque numbers generally.


Are the stock parts cast or welded steel?

[Nd4SpdSe]

Cracked manifolds are common as you said, even on the Xterra. I put in DT headers last year for exactly the same reason

Found OBX headers on eBay for $335

[Miner]

Torque stalled it after work tonight trying to figure out exactly where the leak(s) are. It sounds like it may be the drivers side primary cat and not the headers. If that's the case I'm hoping the crack can be welded.

[Nismojunky]

josh call me if you go headers short or long you need uprev another 500$ or you will run dangerously lean at wot

[Miner]

Good discussion with Robb last night. If it can't be welded, which is highly probable, the repair and tune is going to total $1,500 - $2,000 and a significant amount of time I don't wish to spend away from my family and other obligations.

Options:
- Weld (unlikely);
- JBA long tubes, Night Owl / Cajun B-Pipes and UpRev custom tune(s) (undecided/researching), and
- Trade / sell the truck a couple years sooner then expected ... current front runner is a F-250 with the 6.8L V10 (likely).

I really don't like anything about this decision, and wish the headers were designed better in the first place.

[Nd4SpdSe]

What would need to be welded? The cat or headers? We welded my Xterra manifolds to pass the Qc inspection, and it held for several weeks until we got the headers in. The drivers side manifold ended up being cracked as well; found that when we pull them off. Welding cast is apparently very much possible, the trick is to heat up the item before welding it,and very slowly letting it cool down s58641ecl

[Bow_Tied]

This is true. I have helped weld cast by pre-heating it with a torch.

If you feel like experimenting there are industrial maintenance repair products you could try. eg.: http://www.devcon.com/products/products ... %20%28A%29

[Miner]

I'm not much for experimenting, I like proven solutions i.e. this will fix it vs this might fix it. That's probably what's eating at me now: welding might fix it, replacing with after-market will fix it but might throw codes or require additional parts or tuning, and replacing the truck may result in inheriting other problems that I don't know about. In addition my supportive bride has already noted that the F-250 at nearly 7' tall is too close to the ground...god I love her...so money "saved" on headers will still be spent on a suspension lift and wheels to mount the 35s.

[Miner]

What would need to be welded? The cat or headers?

Based on my first set, Robb inspecting his after removal and Luke's current description there is likely very small cracks throughout the manifold possibly accompanied by a handful of larger cracks. Morpheus may have more insight as I'm sure he has seen more then a few sets.

[Nd4SpdSe]

So with whatever part is cracked, what is that crack causing (besides for the noise). Is the crack causing any issues in terms of the trucks performance, ability, satefy or reliability?

[Adam]

What about replacing with stock aftermarket manifolds? Could they be any better.

[lookzcustoms]

What about replacing with stock aftermarket manifolds? Could they be any better.

stock ones cost more then LT headers uprev and exhaust

yea i'm in the same boat just putting my funds together to get that done

JBA LT, cajun b-pipes, and uprev

Miner let me know what u decide maybe if we do a buy together we can save some $$

these r the cheapest stock ones i found http://www.bearriverconverters.com/Item ... 0e072caa4e

http://specialtyz.com/blog/?p=1099

[Miner]

Cheapest Option:
- Dorman Headers part number 674-843 and 674-844, OEM style header with integrated catalytic converter, but steel instead of cast headers.

- $295.99 Each from Rock Auto

Upgrade Option:
- JBA Long Tube Stainless Steel, part number 6400S, or Stainless Steel Titanium Ceramic Headers, 6400SJT.

- $427.88 or $514.53 a pair from Amazon
- Cajun Cat'd B-Pipes or PRT Cat'd B-Pipes 300 cell metalic, part number PRT P056001.

- $350 from Night Owl (Titan Talk member) or PRT Performance
- Uprev Osiris Standard with Three e-tunes to make everything work right...not run lean...and hopefully realize 50+ gains at the rear wheels.

-$500 from UpRev

Replacement Option:
- $8,000 - $16,00 plus trade,
- $800 - $1,600 lift,
- $750 - $1,250 rims for the 35s,
- $800 - $1,000 Detroit True Track, and
- $400 - $800 exhaust.

So....
~$600 + shipping on unknown quality, no gains, just fixed.
~$1,350 + shipping on proven quality, performance gains, upgrade.
~$12,700 + trade on unknown problems, size and power gains, replacement.

Calling PRT this morning about their B-Pipes, if they can ship early this week this is the route (JBA, PRT UpRev) I'm taking.

[lookzcustoms]

try autoanything.com if they have the same parts they will beat the price

i got my injen intake and bilsteins from them cheaper then anywhere else

[Miner]

try autoanything.com if they have the same parts they will beat the price

i got my injen intake and bilsteins from them cheaper then anywhere else

Okay I'll look at their site....there $567.88 so I'll stick with Amazon as they have always shipped very quickly.

B-Pipes have to be fabricated, would ship Wednesday if I order today. For me this means making two trips state side, I have Volvo parts already waiting, which is making the Dorman less expensive replacements more tempting.

[Miner]

JBA Ordered...last one on Amazon.

[Miner]

Uprev Ordered
Cajun Stainless Cat'd B-Pipes Ordered

Total with shipping is $1,487.83USD add $55.16 to convert to Looines and $186.44 for customs and I get to $1,729.43....

Probably need to add a bit for additional gaskets and replacement hardware.

[Nismojunky]

we can do the install for around 200$ save some there

[lookzcustoms]

ok JBA LT and cajun b-pipes ($750 shipped to CDI) on the way, just did my muffler today, just a flowmaster

ok Rob lets get this buddy of your going tell him he gonna be busy with 2 header installs

with my phone, but i can hear a leak in the front

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzuBt_-J5iI