Bolt-on performance upgrades.
After we packed our project Titan with power-adding goodies, we decided to test them out while patrolling the dunes at the annual Thanksgiving convergence at Glamis, California. Having the extra power underhood helped us to rescue this stuck driver.
Project Titan, Part 1
Project Titan, Part 2
Project Titan, Part 3
Project Titan, Part 4
Project Titan, Part 5
Nissan's entry into the competitive fullsize American pickup arena hasn't escaped our notice. Between driving an '04 Titan LE during a year-long evaluation and building up the Project Titan you see here, we've gained a lot more knowledge about this truck. As such, we've decided to shift things a little and transform our Titan into a Top Truck Challenge-ready show-stopper for this fall's SEMA gathering. The plan is to modify our '04 test unit until it's the equivalent of an average TTC rig, as though we were planning to compete in it ourselves.
For you daily drivers who don't subscribe to TTC-styled rigs, don't worry. Nissan has given us a second Project Titan to build with the average Joe in mind. We're going to call the buildups "Mild 2 Wild Titans." In this twin series, we'll showcase some of the most innovative products the industry has to offer for the Titan, while at the same time providing interesting fabrication ideas and tips that are applicable to just about any fullsize truck. We'll have more on that in our next installment. For now, check out what we did just before taking the blowtorch to our project Titan.
The low-restriction, 3-inch straight-through Monster muffler more than doubles the stock muffler flow and provides an authoritative exhaust sound.
Exhaust
With the added weight of 35-inch Pro Comp tires, our Titan was feeling a little sluggish, so we contacted the folks at Gale Banks Engineering to obtain and install an after-cat exhaust system to help wake up our truck. It has a 3-inch straight-through polished-stainless Monster muffler, a Monster Y-pipe and tailpipe, and a 5-inch double-wall tailpipe tip with a rolled edge. And it looks stunning too.
The Banks system bolts up easily behind the stock catalytic converter and is said to reduce backpressure by a claimed 92 percent, which in theory should improve engine life and increase fuel efficiency. | 
Here, you can see the difference between the restrictive OE exhaust tubing and the monster 3-inch stainless-steel Banks exhaust pipe. | 
Here, the Banks technician installs the included heat shield below the rear transfer-case output shaft. This will prevent premature bearing failure due to heat exposure. The system is unarguably high-quality, and is fully compatible with Nissan's factory warranty. The entire system is also covered by Banks' limited lifetime warranty. |
Computer Upgrade
Next we decided to take our Titan over to the computer wizards at JET Performance. JET has been in business for over 35 years building programmers, chips, and performance modules for all types of vehicles. For the '04-'05 Nissan Titan, JET simply reprograms the OE computer for better performance, but first it has to be removed from the vehicle. To do this, you have to remove the battery from the truck, then unfasten the electrical distribution/fuse pod from the top/back side of the passenger-side inner fender. It's kind of difficult to do unless you remove the plastic inner fenderwell. Be careful not to destroy the little retention clips. Four small bolts secure the computer to a support bracket. Those are also difficult to get to. It seems Nissan didn't intend for end-users to go tampering with the factory computer.
Next, while we had the OE battery out, we decided to upgrade ours to an Optima Red Top. These batteries are proven industry standards, and require no maintenance while storing considerably more juice than factory batteries. It should also hold up better to severe use. | 
Once removed from the vehicle, the ECU was programmed by JET according to a vehicle specification sheet. These changes optimize the fuel and timing curves for improved performance. | 
JET's programming provides optimal performance across the entire powerband--not just at full throttle. We noticed an immediate difference in throttle response, as the truck would not bark 35-inch tires before the JET reprogram. |
Project Titan, Part 1
Project Titan, Part 2
Project Titan, Part 3
Project Titan, Part 4
Project Titan, Part 5