I now have the gibson exhaust on the X. The worst part of the install on the 04 is getting the remnants of the headpipe off. I do believe most of the other years bolt up to a flange? Once it was all off the install was smooth... Alignment was quick, and the end product is quiet at idle, but at a nice low rumble. Once I step on the accelerator peddle, the exhaust in combination with the K&N FIPK makes the X roar! Too cool

Rob

nice

Nice job. good to hear that someone did and put the Gibson on their X and gave us the info on it. Im going to still get the Super 40 Series from Flowmaster.

Let's see some pics!!!!!

Sweet. I'm still leaning toward the Gibson myself. I just havn't fully justified it to myself that i need to replace my exhaust. But i'm glad that someone else did it, and it turned out well. Oh, yes and pictures would be nice!

On my 04, I had a Borla stainless catback installed at 700 miles. The headpipe wasnt a issue. The only problem that I see is the short pipe that was fabricated with a flange to bolt on the borla flange will rust out way too soon. Worse case is to have another flange welded to a short peice of Stainless pipe instead of galvanized.

I am also curious about what you think it did to your mileage, torque, and HP. I don't expect a dyno printout, just a seat of the pants review will do. I am also kicking around exhaust ideas.

The exhaust in conjunction with the FIPK seems to make a big difference in performance. If you hit the throttle there is a definite improvement in performance. I don't know how this would be for an 05 as it is a totally different beast. On my 04 I'm real happy, but as with many others here the addition of a Shrockworks bumper and skids is going to probably just balance out the gains. Mileage is about the same maybe a slight dip, but the HP/torque increased.

Rob

Finally can post pics!
The last pic shows where I had to cut an 1/8" slit on each side with a die grinder to allow the pipe to compress down around the stock pipe. I believe earlier models bolted up to a flange.

Rob

Nice job!

Looks real good. I plan on a gibson exhaust (Along with many other mods)early next summer on my 05. Was wondering what size of BFG's are those and where did you get that nice X-Rated 4x4 window decal?

For those that are interested... I posted this, when I first figured it up, over on the AC board.

Since adding a FIPK & gibson cat-back on my truck, I've gone from averaging 13 mpg in the city, to a little over 16.5 mpg. My highway mileage has jumped from 15 mpg to 19.5 mpg!!!

Some might cry BS, but I'm telling you, it's true. I track my mileage every fillup; not so much because I care about the price of gas, but because I use that to tell me if something's wrong with a vehicle. If my mileage drops suddently, then I know something's not working right.

My truck is a 2002 Frontier Crew Cab Long Bed 4x4, with 4.636 stock gearing and 33x12.5 BFG M/T's. I also have an ARB front bumper, Warn M8000 front winch, a rear bumper made from 2"x4"x1/4" box steel, Shorty's sliders, and an engine/transfer case skid row skid. My front skid is off right now; bolts broke a while back and I haven't gotten around to putting it back on just yet.

But my point is, my truck is as heavy as a Frontier can get w/ +/- bolt-on aftermarket parts. And I just got the best gas mileage than I've EVER gotten (even when it was stock!), with just the FIPK & Gibson cat-back.

I never expected to get any real/noticeable gains w/ those two upgrades. It always cracks me up whenever I hear about "butt dyno's", and "increased throttle response" w/ these upgrades. Honestly, I don't "feel" any power increases. If they're there, they aren't enough for me to notice, and w/o a dyno machine, I can't quantify them, anyways. But for the MPG, that's something I can (and do) track, and it has shown an actual increase of 3.5 mpg in the city, and 4.5 mpg on the highway.

Ozzy17X

The install was easy of the Gibson and the sound is great. With all of the extra horses in the 2005+ the exhaust should sound even better!

The tires are only 265/70/16 about 31", you can fit larger on your X. After these I'll be going to a 265/75/16.

As for the X-rated Sticker you need to do a search under "general" for the sticker and then you'll find Powerguy38. He's the one that has them for sale.

Enjoy your X!

Rob

Sinagua, have you seen better mpg like porsche996 did? and how much did that whole system cost, gibson and k&n FIPK.

fpmdl3,

My mileage is right about the same as before, it might actually be a bit worse since with the added kick I tend to be on the peddle harder. I get about 17 mpg regulary with my automatic. I do all stop and go driving and lately have not done a great deal of highway time. Most of my 21 mile drive to work involves a stop sign or light about every 1-3 miles. Kind of sucks, but I love where I live.

When you do add a filter and exhaust to create greater horsepower/performance, the mileage will drop. To make the power you need more gas! :rolleyes:

I love this increase in performance and would not go back to the original set up.

Hope this helps.

Rob

Thank you very much. you answered my question.