JonGordo8

So I have noticed that my exhaust is getting louder and louder (resonator and muffler are starting to rust out and need replacing due to car having 160,000). Exhaust shops have quoted 450 and 500 dollars to fix it (quote is for new piping and resonator and muffler, however I am wondering if I can go with a high performance exhaust for that price?


After searching I have read that you can replace the resonator with a budget b-pipe for more performance, and that you can change out the y-pipe as well for added performance.

I don't want it to sound like a rice burner, but I would like to see how much better performance I can gain while replacing parts that need to be replaced anyhow.

I guess what I am asking is if you had a budget of max 500 dollars and needed to replace part of the exhaust, what would you do?

Thanks in advance.

adithius

I bought my Greddy SP2 on Ebay for less than $450. You might as well upgrade. You could probably find another brand of performance muffler a little cheaper, but will probably be louder. The Greddy SP2 w/o a y-pipe is quiet (unless you punch it past 4K rpm). You can do it yourself, provided you think you can do it. I did it myself, it was a PITA, since the bolts were all rusted.

CRiME

iTrader: (21)

well, if you want the car to be quiet, I installed a 5th gen muffler today (old muffler was starting to rust through) and I have no complaints. I combined it with the stock b-pipe, magnaflow cat and budget Y. The car still sounds stock (but i think the 5g has a slightly better tone than the OEM muffler) but the pickup is great. i'll probably get a budget B somewhere down the line.

99grnmaxgxe

iTrader: (11)

Find a 5th Gen muffler and get custom piping.

JonGordo8

If I were to go custom piping anyone know what bends and pieces I would need to order mandrel bend rather than having crushed bends?

5th Generation mufflers...wouldn't it just be better to get a good universal magnaflow? Ebay best place to find one?

I would be willing to do the work myself (except for obviously the welding).

To 2pb: Why did you go Magnaflow Cat, if I read correctly doesn't the stock one do an excellent job? Also how much did your setup run you? I like the idea of the y-pipe upgrade, cause that seems to net the most gains.

99grnmaxgxe

iTrader: (11)

Y-Pipe will give you the most gains, you don't need a high flow cat unless your current one is dead. If you don't want much sound, I'd stay away from the Magnaflow universal, it is significantly louder than stock.

99BlackMaxMS

iTrader: (85)

Well said. I would personally get a GReddy SP2 catback or a Cattman catback. I do not have the SP2 but i have rode in a Maxima and there was no droning and it was not much louder than stock under normal driving.

JonGordo8

Ok so budget y-pipe (or warpspeed, but Im hearing budget is better). That is roughly 150 correct?

Than I want a 5th generation muffler. How much is that going to run?

What about custom piping, what do you guys think that will cost?

And I need a resonator as well correct?

I appreciate all your help.

CRiME

iTrader: (21)

I installed the magnaflow cat (it was actually sold by Warpspeed, but came in a magnaflow box) because my stock cat needed to be replaced. The magnaflow was cheaper than an OEM cat and also would not affect emissions testing. The Budget SS Y ran me about $200 shipped, the cat was $99, and I picked up the muffler for just 40 bucks. So all in all, the setup was about $350. But as 99grnmaxgxe said, you do not need to buy the high flow cat unless your current one is bad. so if yours is in good condition, save the $99.

99BlackMaxMS

iTrader: (85)

$170 for Resonated SS B-pipe
+/- $150ish for 5th gen muffler
$50ish at exhaust shop for welding.

I would say its prob $350-$400ish for the combo above. $500 will get you a GReddy SP2. Cattman is prob way out of your price range.

I would save another $180 and get a Warpspeed y and b with a 5th gen muffler if you are going to go that route. It would prob run you just about as much, if not a little more (~$550) than the SP2 Catback and prob get you +/- 20-25 whp gain.

JonGordo8

ok just got back from my muffler shop asking about welding and what have you for the upcoming exhaust setup, they offered to put it on the lift and take a look with a free estimate. They are saying (different place than first 2 quotes) that the main leak is at the y-pipe and that the cat needs to be replaced as does the y-pipe. They said pretty much everything needs to be replaced except for the "middle cat". Are there 2 cats? I saw the system and it is pretty much rusted everywhere, especially the resonator and muffler.

This means I need:
warpspeed magnaflow cat (99.99)
budget y-pipe (~200)
budget b-pipe (~170) does that replace the resonator?
5th generation muffler (~150) still have to locate one (where did you get yours for 40 pb2?)

I will still need piping besides these parts as well correct?

Welding (~50)

What else do I need?

Oh man looks like this is adding up, but Im better off going this route and getting better performance (hopefully improved gas mileage as well) for less than money than I have been quoted.

BlackCat

iTrader: (6)

The stock Y-pipe has pre-cats on it. Thats what that shop was talking about.
The aftermarket ones don't have them but everyone here has passed emissions tests without them. IIRC the Budget B-pipe with resonator costs about the same as the Budget Y pipe.
I'm currently using the Budget Y and resonated B pipes and the stock 4th gen muffler. Its very quiet and yet you get more oomphh for your dollar.
The last time I got a muffler quote the 5th gen muffler cost alot more than a 4th gen.

Ceasars Chariot

iTrader: (16)

Exhaust is getting loud (rusting through)...what to do?

- call Brian Catts at Cattman Performance.

JonGordo8

ok so the real cat is the one that comes after the y-pipe? Is that true or no? Im confused.

99BlackMaxMS

iTrader: (85)

Yes. Your exhaust goes from the block -> Headers -> Y-pipe -> Cat -> B-pipe w/ resonator -> Muffler -> Exhaust Tip.

CRiME

iTrader: (21)

I bought the muffler from someone in the classified section. I just got really lucky i guess, as that was a very good price. Someone is selling one in this thread though, but i'm not sure if he'll ship it. He's asking $100.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=527539

99BlackMaxMS

iTrader: (85)

2001 5th gen muffler for $85...

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=527850

DAVE Sz

iTrader: (2)

Since you're local, you might as well drive out to Chicago and visit Dino's Muffler. He does exhausts for tons of local guys, I have been going there for years and I tell everyone to go there. He can make a whole cat back exhaust for you for way under $300. Look him up in the yellow pages, Dino's muffler, chicago, IL 60634. I'm in carpentersville, BTW, pretty close to where you are...

pimpsmatt

iTrader: (1)

you wont need any additional piping or welding if you go with this setup. everything bolts up, except im not sure about the 5th gen muffler. does anyone know if it needs modification to fit a 4th gen or is it direct replacement?

vtkahns

I have a rusted/ split b-pipe now and it sounds like a tank.

I ordered a simple AutoZone $70.99 B-pipe.. probably a piece of junk.. how long will it likely last up in Vermont where salt is pervasive and car washes are few and far between ?

Other pieces have not gone yet (as far as I know) and I was not looking to do it all at once.. I read above about various budget (ss?) Y , magnaflow cats, and budget (ss?) B ...

Where does one buy this stuff ? Is delivery cost on the steep side to , say, Vermont ?

Should I return this AutoZone B (Bosal) and not even bother installing it ? I am planning on keeping the car.. it has 45K miles on it only and is in pretty nice shape..

S

vtkahns

I got the autozone b-pipe in hand now.. crimped bends.. looks like nothing special.. Will it likely be louder than stock was before it cracked open ?

I had to get gaskets from the dealer (in a rush) as autozone told me they'd have them in stock but sure enough, did not when the part came in.. I didn't want to wait. The guy said the bolts by the os2 sensor section are STUDS . Is it going to be impossible to get the nuts off ? If so, what is the usual solution if the nut ot stud gets damaged on removal ?

I am having a pro help me so I am sure he will know but I wanted to have some clue.

If I truly only need to replace the b-pipe, and wanted to get good stuff instead of this non mandrell bent crud,, what would it be ? I want NOTHING louder than stock.. I like a quiet max.

S

Phaedrus220

iTrader: (4)

all I know is that I love my Cattman cat-back, ypipe to the tip. Yeah it cost, but you get what you pay for.