Hey All,

Time to replace the front converter on my 97 auto Maxima . I'v been reading several posts on Budget Y-pipes as well as many other popular sport y pipes (straight pipes without the front converter).

Has anyone bought or dealt with www.all-catalytic-converters.com. I came across a front converter for $210. It includes the front converter, it's a domestically built unit that is suppose to bolt right up to the OE equipment flanges.

I've been thinking of going with the budget y-pipe, but concerned about the raspy noise other members have indicated. Has anyone experienced these front converters? If so, how do they sound, and how easily did they bolt up the the header and cat pipe?

Here is the site (part# NIS2535) 97 Maxima Front Converter $210

www.all-catalytic-converters.com/nissan-maxima-converter.html

Thanks for any input.

MaximaBiz

 

How do you know?

 

The raspy-ness of my Budget Y only occurs at very high RPM ranges, and I can barely notice it anyways. I love my Budget Y.

Do you think your Y is bad, or you just want to replace it for performance reasons?

 

Yeah, my front converter developed a hole in it. So now when I drive I get that "hole in the exhaust pipe sound". I can not physically see the hole, it is located somewhere on the top end of the front y-pipe.

I have a slow leaking rear main seal, so several people have told me that over time the oil has probably leaked on, or around the front converter, creating premature failure.

I have placed the car in the air several times, and the sound is definitly coming from somewhere forward of the rear catalyic converter. At first I thought it was the flex pipe, but could not see any physical signs. The hole is somewhere on the pipe leading to the front converters (I assume). The whole front converter has heat shields around it, so I can not see exactly where the hole is.

I hope I am trouble shooting the correct piece. I know the sound is located somewhere before the rear cat. It does seem strange that the front converter would prematurally fail. But guessing mine did.

I'm not necessarily looking for performance out of the front pipe. Just want to fix the exhaust noise leak coming from the front converter.

Hmmmm, I think I may just go with the Budget y-pipe. There is no emissions drawback from losing the front converter, is there? I do not live in Cali, so don't think it should be a issue.

Thanks
MaximaBiz

 

There is a bit of an issue, but not a big one. Before your main cat gets hot, your precats clean up the emissions. If you remove the precats, your will most likely not pass an emissions test unless the main cat is hot first. There is a chance, of course, that you would fail the test even with a hot cat, but many people report no problems. If you do not have to have your car pass any emissions tests anyways, you do not have much to worry about.