was there always a leak or did it occur overtime? how did you find out?

 

It happened over time.

I must have hit a big rock on the road or something similar. The U bolt on my Stillen exhaust was bent like it hit something hard and I think it must have pulled on the entire exhaust system and ended up yanking on the headers with enough force to tweak it out of shape.

Hence the leak... CEL soon followed and the headers had to come out.

The gains were no more or less than yours so I didn't really care to see them go. Maybe it would have been a better value if I had test pipes.

But, you know the deal with test pipes in Ca.

 

Yes you are right... tuning is the next logical step, and you need it clearly

 

So you have to spend an additional $1500 (including the tuning) to actually show gains with headers? Ouch

 

I think only $600 if it's a reflash. about $900 for an emanage with 1.5 hours of tune. i think $1500 is if i have a UTEC....but that's pretty hardcore...i don't even have cams, ported heads, TB, or anything like that..

 

I ask, because I'm curious about whether or not the W/B 02 sensors in the 2004.5+ Z's are able to compensate better for the headers. Anyone dyno before and after with a later model Z?

 

Anytime you make a change on a Z it needs a tune el pronto dente! We already push the lean boundaries with these VQ motors Nissan puts in every bigger car & tune it to the max & as lean as possible.
Now obviously Osiris is the ECU mngmt you want. Also, the HP would get better but the ECU takes A LOT of time to learn or a long one time drive. Like two 50 Mike trips playing with the range. Don't let it detonate. It will if too lean despite the knock sensor. With it running lean it will also PULL TIMING to protect itself. This is it falling on its face. The face that you didn't lose 5hp is extremely promising before the tune. It needs a wider fuel map & pow. I think a motordyne 5/16 is a great power adder. This & HFC's or test pipes are widely known as the easiest way to gain NA HP. 5/16 MD spacer with thermal copper gasket & valve to TB, ART pipes, XYZ pipe & the TDX V2, a factory k&n or intake the is separate from engine bay yet had some kind of splash guard so it can't get wet & you can put 300 to the ground with the Uprev Osiris tune. Gen 1 motors don't need the MREV 2 lower intake but some others do. The oil burning uprev does I think. I have an 05 base model manual with aero package that has the gen 1 motor. Only anniversary, track & Nismo had the Uprev in 05. This car is lighter. The 3850 curb weight in the door is not your vehicles weight. It is the max your car can weigh after putting people & things in it. A "do not exceed" weight, including towing. Why you would do that IDK. I have seen a hitch on a Z more than once. Don't freak over late post but I felt an update was needed as people use this info.

 

I'm thinking about getting Megan racing headers any thoughts? I have invidia n1 exhaust, intake,and berk hfc. My friend said I should get headers before I tune wondering if Megan is a good choice

 

I personally wouldnt put anything megan on a car. Shorty headers are not worth it.... you will prob lose some power, you will need to tune it because you will be lean

 

Any preference ? Of which headers I should go with

 

what is your budget? but being in cali arent you really limited?

i would do ppe long tubes, but they are $1400 on sale now, normally $1600

 

Yea I am, I probably don't wanna spend that much lol. I'll spend around 400

 

Ppe knock offs

 

OBX

http://www.sparktecmotorsports.com/h11354s.html

powerlab

http://www.intensepower.com/poshtutuheun.html

 

dont you have to pass visual inspection?