I was told some time ago by DBM that if my car has a certain letter in its manufactureres code (found under the hood) it's CA/NLEV, and later I was told to look at a picture (http://www.cattman.com/images/produc...ec-diagram.jpg) well, my code has that letter...but my car only has 2 out of 4 of those plugs pictured, the #3 and #4 plugs...whats going on?
Is my car FED spec or CA/NLEV?
Im trying to buy a y-pipe from budget, but I need MORE confirmation on my emmisions system. anyone?

 

I bought my Maxima new from Cerritos Nissan in Southern California and it turns out it's a Fed spec. Other people throughout the nation have CA/NLEV specs. It makes no sense to me.

But to answer you question, look at the O2 sensors in front of your valve cover, by the dip stick on the right hand side. Fed specs have 2 and I think CA has 4. I'm not sure the exact number, but the CA has more.

 

i looked three times today under my hood, and I only see 2 sensors right below the valve cover, well...im aching to buy a ypipe but i need complete confirmation that im fed-spec btw, what year did fed-spec go into effect??? maybe some cars bought at some point were immune?? i bought my 98 model around november/december of 97...from what I can remember...

 

DBM? anyone? help me out?

 

I have already provided all the information I have on this subject. My information came from the '99 Maxima factory service manual. Perhaps your local friendly Nissan dealer can answer this question.

 

Only the 99 has the four plugs in the picture. My 97 has only two plugs and it is CA spec. I bet the 98 is the same, 2 plugs = CA spec also. Actually prior to 99, I'm not sure you can tell what the emissions spec is by just looking at the plugs in front of the valve cover.

The CA spec models differ mainly in slight ECU modifications, vacuum routing, and the presence of the two precats before the main catalytic converter.