Hey everyone, I have a 2002 Xterra SE, and have been reading some of the posts, and joined the club today. This summer I plan on getting an intake and exhaust system for my X. I'm planning on going with the K&N FIPK air intake and possibly the calmini exhaust, I have a touch hitch so am planning for the reason to get the calmini. I have done a little research and have seen there is both gibson and stillen systems out there too. Any input and/or opinions on which exhaust system I should go with, and if the K&N air intake is the best be, would be greatly appreciated. thanks all

I just got done installing my gibson a few weeks ago. I had never done any mechanical stuff on any cars yet but this was extremely simple. I dont have anythign to compare it too but i like the sound and hopefully once i add an intake in the future i will be able to feel the change.

I have the Calmini on my SE/SC. It was very simple to install. It looks great, nice SS tip. It sounds pretty good, a little deeper but not too loud. The hardest part was getting the old pipes off. I had to use a torch. Not really sure what performance gains from it because I also put the 2.3" over-drive pulley on the supercharger at the same time. It really moves now, gas milage sucks though!

I have the Borla stainless catback and I love it. The quality is great and IMO the sound is perfect.

Also since you live in PA where the roads are salted, you may want to consider spending the extra money on a stainless system. I have heard on XOC that the Gibson stainless can acquire lots of surface rust. Once I saw pics of the rusty Gibson I decided against it and purchased the Borla.

I want to thank CDLXterra, justblueX, XmtbX00 for giving me their takes on possible exhaust systems. XmtbX00, I was looking for a borla exhaust and had only fount it for the 2000 xterra and not the 2002, would this be a problem? I think this may sway me to go with the calmini or gibson, but who knows, still some time decide and finds what's best, any more ideas and opinions are always welcome. Also, has anyone had any luck finding a place to purchase on-line the K&N FIPK intake as opposed to just the air charger?? Also would the air charger or any intake give mea problem in PA or with voiding the dealership warranty on my car??

I have both the Calmini cat back system(side exit) and the K&N Aircharger kit. Both make a great package. I can deffinatly feel the difference in HP and also the sound is a great tone. Hope this helps.

Since your X is not supercharged any cat-back that fits a '00 will fit your '02.

I've been meaning to record the Borla sound at idle, acceleration, ect. but haven't gotten around to it yet.

Remember the Borla is covered by the million mile warranty too, so don't forget to note your odo reading when you install it

I'm starting to sound like a Borla salesman

I have the Calmini exhaust and I love it. Its definately noticable but not overwhelming. I'm completely satisfied with my purchase.

XTERRUSS5 -

Where do you plan on getting a FIPK kit for an Xterra?

I second that..Just a different feel all around!!

Michael

Again, Thank you to everyone for the assistance, and new opinions and ideas are always a good thing. oface- I'm not sure where to get the FIPK for the X yet, and I don't know if the actually make one yet. I e-mailed the tech at k&n, but who knows how long the reply will take, about if the have or if it is in the works for an FIPK for the Xterra. So, I'm gonna play the waiting game for now, but I'll certainly make sure to post any info I get concerning the intake. And as for now, for all those who have put in their two cents, I'm planning on going with the calmini cat back exhaust (side exit)! thanks again all!

Good Choice. Good Luck with it!!

XTERRUSS5:

They don't make the FIPK for the Xterra. It's the Aircharger only which is designed for offroad (Per K&N) but which passes smog in many states. Once they get it smog approved in Ca, they are suppose to add it to the FIPK. I've been waiting for the last 7 months since I bought my X. Many others have been waiting for a couple years. They don't even have the Aircharger for the SC Xterra. But they do have one for the SC Frontier. Someday, probably when I have retired to a South Pacific Is., they will come out with an FIPK. But by then we will be using fuel cells and won't need the damn thing!

Thanks for the heads up with the FIPK, I got the e-mail ack rom k&n saying pretty much the same thing, looks like it sthe air charger for me!

If you feel you need to re-do the whole exhaust, get a Borla stainless steel muffler and take it to an exhaust shop. Have them bend you new stainless steel pipes and weld them to the muffler. Get yourself a tip and there you have it. The Borla is a great quality muffler and you'll save some $$ this way.

what diameter pipe should I go with? and also where could i pcik up a borla muffler?

I just had a Borla muffler installed on my X and noticed a big difference in power and I'm actually getting better mileage. The stock Nissan muffler is huge and very restrictive, those two catalytic coverters hold back some power too, I'm sure. I got a Borla XS Performance (2 1/4") off ebay. It was $85 plus shipping.

The stock pipes are 2 1/4". If you can't find what you need on ebay, check out www.exhaustproslinc.com or www.hottexhaust.com

hey you should even look at the hks exhaust. I am very happy with sound and results.

The aftermarket exhausts out there do not fix one of the design flaws in the stock exhaust. If you look under, the driver side pipe comes out from the cat and just joins the passenger side in a 'T' type fitting. Not too favorable. What should have been done is a collector type fitting that resembles a 'Y'. Not only does the 'T' cause turbulence, but will cause unnecessary backpressure going back into the driver side downpipe. I wonder if everyone with cracked headers had the first cracks showing on the driver side. This would definitely cause heat build up in the driver side header due to the inefficiency created by that junction. I am going to replace everything from the cat (right after) including that junction and dyno the system. I am probably going with a Flowmaster dual in/ dual out and running dual exhaust 2.25" OR doing a Y collector running 2.5" ( because I'm supercharged) all the way back in a single exhaust. We'll hopefully soon be getting to the development work on this project.

Since you're re-doing the whole system, why not add a high flow cat like one of these?

http://www.exhaustproslinc.com/uncon.html

http://www.performancecombos.com/navfraset.cfm?custid=419039

XTERRUSS5:

K&N just came out with the FIPK
for both Frontiers and Xterras

click on the link below
K&N

Ok, so now this means that everyone with the Offroad Air Charger now can with a doubt pass all emission testing? Because I don't think K&N did a darn thing to the design of the kit. They were just waiting for the confirmation of the CARB.

2000nssnfrontier :
Thanks for the heads up!