Project Headers and Exhaust System - Infamous Nissan

87PATHFINDER · 01-31-2022, 04:57 AM

New project now retrofitting and upgrading my "1987 Nissan Pathfinder SE 3.0 4X4 VG30I" from basic model looking for advise for installing;

1. Headers; long on either the Cat system or Y exhaust pipes?

* NOTES: I'm not really interested in how loud after converting but rather increasing the HP power and freedom from the manifold?!

NO CAT will be installed, legally, so hit me up with your comments and own experiences.

Happy off-roading

Deerhurst · 01-31-2022, 05:54 PM

Use long tubes for the VG30e. The Y pipe will likely have to be widened. I have a thread on headers on the VG30i.

You will need to go to a single at the O2 sensor then you can go back to duals if you want.

dvdswan · 01-31-2022, 08:15 PM

Welcome to the site. Comifornia will hit you for the no cat.

89'HBV6 · 02-01-2022, 01:11 AM

Welcome to IN...

Doesn't Cali still have emission testing? I don't know if this will fly with them...

cadillacdude1975 · 02-01-2022, 01:57 AM

I deleted the other thread.

87PATHFINDER · 02-01-2022, 07:45 PM

YES, Cali has their emission's laws so now installing legal CAT along with upgraded exhaust and headers and planning a relocation the f &*$ out this State like others by the thousands!

Thanks for all your advise and reply's!

Tommy Vee

Stinky · 02-01-2022, 08:21 PM

Even though you have a cat, there is a limit to what you can do and still be legal.

Any changes before the cat will have to be CARB legal....like ur headers.

I THINK, as in not sure, that after the cat you can do most anything.

Deerhurst · 02-01-2022, 09:02 PM

As an ex Californian I ask that where you move to do everything in your power to NOT let it turn into California. I see too many leave Cali to move elsewhere and turn it right back into Cali. Portland is a perfect example. OR is turning into California V2.0. It sucks.

A cat is a federal thing. If you truck is originally a Cali rig it will have a couple other emissions controls those for all other states lack.

PorknBeans · 02-02-2022, 01:51 AM

To legally pass a CA smog test. Any part like headers, will require to have an EO(Executive Order) number either stamped on the part(s) or in the documents the parts came with. Without an EO, you will fail a legal smog test right at the start of the test when the technician does the visual inspection.

You should check the CARB (California Air Resources Board) website for EO numbers for your model vehicle. They provide a list of manufacturers that sell emissions parts that are legal in CA. That’s what I did when the muffler shop I use wanted to sell me my CAT. I looked it up first. My CAT EO number matched the 2.4L engine for the 240SX model, which uses the same engine. So it was good to go. Even buying headers in CA is a tall order. If an emissions part is sold in CA. It’s smog legal.

01-31-2022, 04:57 AM	#1
87PATHFINDER Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Ventura County, Cali Posts: 3 Vehicle: 87 Nissan Pathfinder SE 3.0 4x4 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Project Headers and Exhaust System New project now retrofitting and upgrading my "1987 Nissan Pathfinder SE 3.0 4X4 VG30I" from basic model looking for advise for installing; 1. Headers; long on either the Cat system or Y exhaust pipes? * NOTES: I'm not really interested in how loud after converting but rather increasing the HP power and freedom from the manifold?! NO CAT will be installed, legally, so hit me up with your comments and own experiences. Happy off-roading

01-31-2022, 05:54 PM	#2
Deerhurst 4/86 SE-V6 2 tone 4x4 HB Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oregon Posts: 8,109 Vehicle: 1986.5 SE-V6 4WD D21, 2003 Audi A4 Avant 3.0 Quattro Thanks: 921 Thanked 1,106 Times in 996 Posts	Use long tubes for the VG30e. The Y pipe will likely have to be widened. I have a thread on headers on the VG30i. You will need to go to a single at the O2 sensor then you can go back to duals if you want. __________________ 1986.5 SE-V6 4X4 D21 Hardbody Pacesetter Long Tube Headers Morimoto Mini D2S HID Projectors and Hella 500s VG33i

01-31-2022, 08:15 PM	#3
dvdswan Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Port Orchard, WA Posts: 5,741 Vehicle: 96 HB Thanks: 223 Thanked 926 Times in 807 Posts	Welcome to the site. Comifornia will hit you for the no cat. __________________ Dave 96 HB XE SAS'd D44 3-link on 35s http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2618002

02-01-2022, 09:02 PM	#8
Deerhurst 4/86 SE-V6 2 tone 4x4 HB Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oregon Posts: 8,109 Vehicle: 1986.5 SE-V6 4WD D21, 2003 Audi A4 Avant 3.0 Quattro Thanks: 921 Thanked 1,106 Times in 996 Posts	As an ex Californian I ask that where you move to do everything in your power to NOT let it turn into California. I see too many leave Cali to move elsewhere and turn it right back into Cali. Portland is a perfect example. OR is turning into California V2.0. It sucks. A cat is a federal thing. If you truck is originally a Cali rig it will have a couple other emissions controls those for all other states lack. __________________ 1986.5 SE-V6 4X4 D21 Hardbody Pacesetter Long Tube Headers Morimoto Mini D2S HID Projectors and Hella 500s VG33i

02-02-2022, 01:51 AM	#9
PorknBeans Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Where I can see the air I breathe... Posts: 844 Vehicle: 1997 XE King Cab with 3 pedals, KA24E & 2WD, Y’all Thanks: 82 Thanked 251 Times in 209 Posts	To legally pass a CA smog test. Any part like headers, will require to have an EO(Executive Order) number either stamped on the part(s) or in the documents the parts came with. Without an EO, you will fail a legal smog test right at the start of the test when the technician does the visual inspection. You should check the CARB (California Air Resources Board) website for EO numbers for your model vehicle. They provide a list of manufacturers that sell emissions parts that are legal in CA. That’s what I did when the muffler shop I use wanted to sell me my CAT. I looked it up first. My CAT EO number matched the 2.4L engine for the 240SX model, which uses the same engine. So it was good to go. Even buying headers in CA is a tall order. If an emissions part is sold in CA. It’s smog legal. __________________

02-01-2022, 01:57 AM	#5
cadillacdude1975 The Gear Jammer Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Chattanooga, TN Age: 50 Posts: 10,745 Vehicle: 87 VG33 Pathfinder SE 4x4 & 87 D21 SE Thanks: 462 Thanked 1,415 Times in 1,279 Posts	I deleted the other thread.

02-01-2022, 07:45 PM	#6
87PATHFINDER Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Ventura County, Cali Posts: 3 Vehicle: 87 Nissan Pathfinder SE 3.0 4x4 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	YES, Cali has their emission's laws so now installing legal CAT along with upgraded exhaust and headers and planning a relocation the f &*$ out this State like others by the thousands! Thanks for all your advise and reply's! Tommy Vee

02-01-2022, 08:21 PM	#7
Stinky Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Whitewater, CO Posts: 128 Vehicle: 86 2wd 720, 86 4x4D21 Thanks: 0 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	Even though you have a cat, there is a limit to what you can do and still be legal. Any changes before the cat will have to be CARB legal....like ur headers. I THINK, as in not sure, that after the cat you can do most anything.

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