Ok sooo....I'm interested in changing the y-pipe in my car. Had a great conversation with Brian Catts about his work, but I think I may have a cali-spec y-pipe and he doesn't make a pipe for those types, so anybody have any idea on what are some really good alternatives?? Input really appreciated

 

Do you think your Max is Cali spec, or do you know your Max is Cali spec? If you arent positive, you should look in the 4th gen FAQs to definitively find out if your Max is Cali or Fed spec first.

 

I checked out the vin on Nissan's database and it's telling me it's cali-spec. if it wasn't a million degrees out here i'd double check by jacking it up and visually inspecting it but the dealer is telling me it's Cali.

 

You dont have to jack up the car lol, its on the metal plate that is attached to the firewall under the hood on the passenger side. I don't have a Cali spec, so im not sure what to tell you. Have you tried Warpspeed? They make y-pipes for our cars too.

 

i bought a brand new cattman ypipe cali spec yg5 i believe it is and fastcat about to put it for sale

 

Im interested in that fastcat! PM me a price shipped to 90034.

 

Link:

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...st-system.html

 

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d6...p/DSC02970.jpg
"Stock for Stock (Federal Emissions vs California Emissions)

There are the two types of Stock VQ front headers:
95-00 Federal Emissions Header
99-00 California and ALL 2001+ Header
the California front header is a system that incorporates a Huge pre-cat
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d6...p/DSC02972.jpg
pre-cat up close is big, and the stock headers are restrictive
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d6...p/DSC02973.jpg
front headers kinda look similar, until you look inside them.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d6...p/DSC02977.jpg

the fed spec has a round exit hole and has superior internal flow to the Cali-spec, the shape of the openning on the cali spec is irregular, and more restrictive.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d6...p/DSC02978.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d6...p/DSC02981.jpg

The bends and rough edges inside the manifold all hinder exhaust flow, creating backpressure.

furthermore the outlet after the pre-cat on the cali spec is much smaller than the fed, with an oxygen sensor placed directly in the exhaust path restricting even more flow.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d6...p/DSC02974.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d6...p/DSC02975.jpg
the rear VQ header is unchanged from 95-01.(EGR is closed off with a Large Bolt on all 01's) But in 02+ ALL rear headers also received a pre-cat similar to the california front header in 99."
I'd buy this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/02-03...item3368833e78

 

Wow thanks for all that information, really helpful. So judging by what I've read, 99 4th gen headers share the same properties as all 5th gens and that would be a good option to go for. How much should I expect to get from headers?