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DIY: How to install a 350z Nismo Exhaust

by Quoc-Viet on May.10, 2008, under Cars Cars Cars, DIY: How To's

I know, it’s fairly simple, but I figured I’d do a “write-up” anyway. We just finished installing Chris’ exhaust on his 350z, he loves it! His personal review is basically @ idle, it is much quieter, but once you get on the throttle, there is a much more deep and “racey” sound to it.

Total Install Time: 2.5 hours (being very relaxed & taking our sweet ass time). This install should be doable in 30 minutes – 1 hour for those who are motivated.

Nismo Exhaust Muffler Section
QV: “Hey Chris, I think I can fit your muffler on my 240.”

Equipment Required/Recommended:
- Nismo (or whatever you bought) exhaust
- Replacement exhaust gaskets (2 for cat, 1 for mid-pipe, and 1 ring gasket for mid-pipe to muffler) & bolts or a Nismo exhaust gasket kit
- Jack
- Jack Stands
- PB Blaster (especially handy for the exhaust hanger bushings
- Metric socket & wrench assortment (mostly 10, 12, & 14mm)
- Long screwdriver or something to help pry the hanger bushings
- Breaker bar to make removing old nuts easier
- Possibly a Ford Wrench… just in case something gets stuck
- Metal/Aluminum polish if you wish to make things shiny
- Pimp Khakis & a Dress shirt because 350z guys work on their cars in style (optional)

Step 1 – Prep
- Put the car on jack stands. Chris used the front jacking point & the rear diff to raise the car. He also chose to use the jack points (the spare tire jack ones I believe) for the jack stand support area.
- PB Blast the nuts/bolts if you wish. PB Blast the exhaust hanger bushings to make removal easier. Nothing like a lil lube to make it slide in & out quickly.

Step 1 - Rear Jacking Point
Jacking up the rear via the differential.
Step 1 - Jack Stands 01
Jack stands in place.
Step 1 - Jack Stands 02
One more view of jack stands because… why not.

Don't Forget the PB Blaster
Don’t forget the PB Blaster.


Step 2 – Remove the old exhaust.

This step is fairly straight forward:
- 2 nuts for each cat to y-pipe connection
- 2 nuts for the y-pipe to mid pipe connection
- 3 nuts for the mid-pipe to muffler connection (one side is double nutted for the ground wire connected to the exhaust)
- 1 bolt for the rear exhaust hanger bushing

The toughest part here was getting the muffler off the exhaust hanger bushings. With 2 people (or 1 person and a jack), pry away @ the bushing against the muffler pipe after spraying it down with some PB Blaster.

Also, be careful w/ stripping nuts – I would highly recommend using 6-pt sockets/wrenches.

Step 2 - Removing Exhaust
Removing the bolts from the y-pipe
Step 2 - Old Mid-Pipe
Mid-pipe removed
Step 2 - Removing Muffler
Fondling – err, I mean, removing – the muffler
Step 3 – Install the new exhaust

Reverse of removal. I would recommend PB Blasting the exhaust hangers a little more if you haven’t already, makes install that much easier. The Nismo exhaust comes with a separate grounding point on the muffler that uses a 10mm bolt & nut, very spiffy.

Step 3 - Install - Driver Side Hanger & Exhaust Ground
Driver side muffler – notice the new grounding point for the exhaust ground wire
Step 3 - Install - Passenger Side Hanger
Passenger side exhaust hanger – this one was a PITA to get out at first
Step 3 - Install - Rear Passenger Hanger w/ Bolt
Passenger rear exhaust hanger – we found it easier to remove the bolt holding it in rather than trying to slip the muffler out of the hanger
Step 3 - Install - Finishing up Y-Pipe
Bolting the y-pipe back up

Everything Bolted Up
View of Nismo mid-pipe & y-pipe – sexxxy


Step 4 – Clean Up

- Polish/clean up the exhaust if you wish
- Lower car
- Put away tools
- Start car up and pat yourself on the back for a job well done

Step 4 - Clean Up Polish
Crazy Eyes Chris says “This is the best polish evars!”
Polishing
“Damn QV left finger prints all over my muffler.” *polish polish polish*

We even made a video – the video actually sounds quite louder than what the Nismo exhaust sounds like in person, haha – it’s quieter than stock @ idle.

:, ,

5 Comments for this entry

  • francis belen

    thanx for the tip chris…I have one question at your convenience. installing a bolt-on cat-back greddy the same way? is it easy or should I take it to a shop? 2008 350z

    thank you francis

  • Quoc-Viet

    Hi Francis,
    Installing any catback the same way. If you have basic tools (i.e jacks, jackstands, etc) & help from a friend who is more knowledgable, I would say go for it.

    Otherwise, take it to a shop.

    Overall, it’s one of the easiest modifications you can do on your car (will need help of one person at least for muffler removal/installing).

  • silvia lopez

    chris your eyes are so sexy.

  • SmallCars

    I concur, chris, please keep them open like that next time!

  • Bbrown

    Crazy Eyes Chris is right, Nevr-Dull is the bee’s knees.

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