NXT Step Exhaust Install ?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 650
Likes: 4
From: Pittsburg Ca.
NXT Step Exhaust Install ?
Hey guys, I just got done installing my nxt step-granatelli exhaust. That is up to the tips anyway. The cheap as clamps that come with it work fine on the upper two pieces of pipe, but dont do any thing but strip out on the tips. The tips are awfully wobbly to begin with, Any tips on how to get these on tight and any recomendations for what clamps to use. Thanks Rick
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,401
Likes: 1,143
From: Dyer, IN
Hey guys, I just got done installing my nxt step-granatelli exhaust. That is up to the tips anyway. The cheap as clamps that come with it work fine on the upper two pieces of pipe, but dont do any thing but strip out on the tips. The tips are awfully wobbly to begin with, Any tips on how to get these on tight and any recomendations for what clamps to use. Thanks Rick
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,509
Likes: 240
From: Coconut Creek FL
http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...DS=1&N=700+115
most of the lower priced catbacks use cheap band clamps...you need to find your correct size (most likely 2.5") and get the ones listed above. They cover a larger area and are a lot more stout to clamp. Some also get the slip joints welded or at least tack welded to stay somewhat in place.
make sure you get the right clamps as there are a lot to choose from. (Step, Butt Joint etc...) these for example are not going to work for you as you have slip joint connections.
most of the lower priced catbacks use cheap band clamps...you need to find your correct size (most likely 2.5") and get the ones listed above. They cover a larger area and are a lot more stout to clamp. Some also get the slip joints welded or at least tack welded to stay somewhat in place.
make sure you get the right clamps as there are a lot to choose from. (Step, Butt Joint etc...) these for example are not going to work for you as you have slip joint connections.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,718
Likes: 20
From: Dyer IN
Cruise-In IX Veteran
went to autozone bought all new generic 3 dollar clamps and its 100x better, i couldnt get the upper pipes to lock well and had the same problems on the tail pipes, well worth the 12 dollars i spent wish i woulda done it from step 1 lol, the included clamps are garbage
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 650
Likes: 4
From: Pittsburg Ca.
Okay I got them installed and everything tight. Sounds awsum. Heres a pic. The only thing I noticed thats a little different is the way my tips line up.
Last edited by Slick Rick; Oct 3, 2008 at 08:36 PM. Reason: wrong Pics
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I think I got it..........
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 650
Likes: 4
From: Pittsburg Ca.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 943
Likes: 0
From: Ho Chi Minh City
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
To the OP - you need to loosen all your clamps up and work your way from the over-axle pipes back and tighten as you go. You'll need to hold the tips level with each other using a board or a helper to keep them aligned as you tighten the clamps. Here's one method I use although I didn't do this on the Nxt Step setup. I did those by eyeballing it. Obviously, a lift makes it easier.
Btw, I rarely drive that one - it's the wife's dd with 13.5K on it. Easier to keep clean with a lift. Now, mine is driven less but gets the royal treatment more often since it's stored on the lift while the SO parks her's under it.
Btw, I rarely drive that one - it's the wife's dd with 13.5K on it. Easier to keep clean with a lift. Now, mine is driven less but gets the royal treatment more often since it's stored on the lift while the SO parks her's under it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 650
Likes: 4
From: Pittsburg Ca.
Okay Guys I got to vent........ This is one of the nicest sounding exhausts on the market. No denying that. But it is also the biggest piece of crap to assemble. To many clamps, to many pipe s and way to much aligning. Maybe if I had a rack it would have been an easier job. But I dont and I had to do it on ramps. I have been playing with cars for over thirty yrs. And this set up has got to be the worst. I taken the left side apart three times and finally have it sraight and tight. But cant put the tips on because Im out of clamps. Have to wait until next week to get them. One was theres and one was an 9 dollar band clamp that the bolt snapped on. I do have the passenger side on nice and tight. I had BB bullitts before these. Little over an hour to install. These things 3 days and still not done. Oh and the tips I was wonderig about, got my sraight edge out and checked and sure enough outter tip is higher than Inner. I stll dont feel better but at least I said what I had to say.............
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Sorry to hear about your alignment issues. You just may have gotten a bad set. Email them and request another set - can't hurt to ask and they responded quickly to me when I requested a refund of the price difference from one of their other sales.
My set took less than hour to install so I know they do make the parts to fit. Here are a couple more shots of the tip alignment.
A video clip
Nxt Step Video
My set took less than hour to install so I know they do make the parts to fit. Here are a couple more shots of the tip alignment.
A video clip
Nxt Step Video
Twin Turbo Coupe
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 768
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From: Frederick MD
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 40
From: Edmonton Alberta
My Magnaflow X-pipe came with a cheap u-bolt setup. I went down to my local muffler shop and purchased a couple of stainless steel muffler straps. The u-bolts had a few drawbacks: not a good seal, hung down too low, clamp would have rusted immediately.
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 22,830
Likes: 13
From: Columbus Ohio
CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
