vqmaxman

Hi, everyone I was lately shopping and looking around for a new exhaust set up. I have been reading about the 3" being a great deal all around. I have made up my mind about the 3" exhaust,but I want to make sure that the 3" exhaust is good on the low-ends and the top-ends and how about the mid range. Is this gonna be a good idea for a n/a stock motor. I wanna compare the both 3" and 2.5".
Thanks.

D I R T Y I 3 0

You can ask anyone around here; the 3" exhaust provides more gains than the 2.5" exhaust. Usually with a N/A motor 2.5 is as large as you want to go, but our motor is a special case:

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...rder-here.html

There you are sir, read all about it

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

If I were you I would go custom with Magnaflow components crimp bent if you're not to critical of it! You can call Cattman, BRM, Warpspeed, MES, or just go to a local exhaust shop that will to build to your specifications after you've received the exhaust parts from Magnaflow thru Amazon....I'm massaging the new 4th Gen I just acquired that has a crimped bent custom 2.5" catback, featuring a test pipe & Flowmaster 40 muffler that's it! It was too loud for my taste! So I installed a cat and 22' resonator and it's really smooth now! I think the previous owner said he spend $250...So it is an option! If you want a 3" do it! You have enough room for the following:
1. Bullet type glass pack http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/d...rtnumber=18129
2. 4" Round body: http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/s...e=main&id=9518
3. Muffler (rear) quieter: http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/s...e=main&id=9371
4. Muffler (rear) less quiet:http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/s...e=main&id=9341
I took this same route to build my 2.5" for my 3rd gen Max wih a $125 mandrel bent tubing kit from MES and it was a very functional and quiet performance exhaust system!

MoncefA33

iTrader: (6)

3" is the way to go.

T_Behr904

Says the man with a mod list a mile long

T_Behr904

If your car is bone stock, and you plan on keeping it that way, you won't see much going from 2.5 to 3 inch. If you plan on adding performance mods to your car, then go with the 3 inch exhaust to take advantage of future modifications.

sickwitit

iTrader: (1)

Is cattman the only 3" available for 4th gens? Would the only other way be a custom 3in? I've had good experience with eBay catbacks on my wrx and Gst, but I'm only seeing 2.5" setups on there, any other recommendations?

Quickywd01

iTrader: (16)

I wish BRM made a 3" for the 4th gen.

altezzablazes

Exactly or cutout

vqmaxman

Ok, in other words the 3" exhaust would be better than a 2.5" exhaust on a n/a vq30de motor. I would have more low end and mid-range and high-end TQ,IF so I will buy the 3", but I don't know if there's any 4thgens owners here with one to back me up. I will think about the Sc or Tc later, but N/A Now.

The Wizard

iTrader: (43)

Like I said in another thread....

Cattman used to be known for excellent fitment and finish....not so much anymore.

Fitment on his catback is hit or miss....For me, BOTH 3" catbacks I recently bought from him fit horribly, have major banging issues, and he ignored my request to have them corrected

Save your money and get a different catback. For as much as he charges, you can get a custom one made for you....and that fits too.

OP, read this thread...
Gauging Interest in a 3" exhaust from Cattman

I poured out so much information and pics, it's ridiculous..

Start at post #413, then read on.... then tell me if you still want a Cattman product

Check out this awesome fitment on this 3" Oh, and FWIW, my 2.5" Cattman is only 1/4" further away from the trailing arm..still a problem. 3 Cattman catbacks, 3 problems.

schmellyfart

iTrader: (46)

+1. It took way too much time, effort, and money to get this $800 (after taxes/shipping) piece of equipment to fit well enough from someone who was known for perfect fitment.

Looking back I would much rather have gone with a custom setup.

Quickywd01

iTrader: (16)

Cattman is highway robbery. Warpspeed or BRM needs to make a 4th gen 3" exhaust. I need one.

T_Behr904

Doesn't Apexi make the WS2 cat back for the 4th gens?

schmellyfart

iTrader: (46)

Yeah but its only uses 2.3" diameter piping. http://apexi-usa.com/shop/index.php/...2-muffler.html

T_Behr904

Ok, I see it's measured 60mm which converts to 2.36 inches.

Well, I did find this 2.5 inch exhaust by Megan Racing. And for the price of $350, it's not bad...

http://www.racinglab.com/mr-na-catback-nissan-004.html

Rods03Max619

iTrader: (5)

If I had a 4th, or looking for another exhaust for mine would dothat ebay Catback an switch the Cannon with a Vibrant Muffler....

vqmaxman

I am a diehard max enthuisists and a cattman enthuisists,but after reading and hearing other orgers problem. I am completly dissipointed in the action cattman took and how everyone was and is upset. I believe if someone can try to see if he can give us a chance again in custom making the clearance and the b-pipe and the clearance from the trailing arms. I am sure everyone will do what they once used to do is by products from cattman.

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

I told Wizard, that I would measure my 5.5th Gen 3" Cattman trailing arm to exhaust clearance.....Well mine measured 2 1/8" from the trailing arm! I hope Cattman and Wizard can resolve this matter.....I would be all over it if I were Cattman.....but in another perspective, I don't see how this one issue could tarnish a 14 yr aftermarket commit to excellence like no other! Let's see if we can resolve this situation guys! Sorry for stepping on any toes on this matter, I just think the approach was wrong ....as well as the response!

VisciousMo

iTrader: (4)

My 2.5'' cattman bangs too.

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

And your muffler went to ****, didn't it?

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

Has anybody put the 3" on without problems? It seems they have documented benefits but if it doesn't fit and will be shredded after 1k miles then whats the point?

VisciousMo

iTrader: (4)

+1, and cattman couldn't do **** about it. Although, he did answer a few of my questions.

vqmaxman

I think we can or we should bring that issue back to life in this thread or atleast have a poll or some names in this thread. I think if someone can call him up and tell him we or someone will be a guinea pig that can give him a another shot for a perfect fit let's not throw him a 95-96 a 98-99 would be ideal. I hope this time he will do it right and test drive it and give them as much time to do it right. IF he can get it right some of us with issues should get the new ones exchanged free of charge.

schmellyfart

iTrader: (46)

As much as we all would like for Cattman to resolve these issues, its not gonna happen, these exhausts (4th gen 3") are almost a year and a half old now. Its not this one issue either, remember that batch of headers that people had to drill out the flanges? He was looking to sell the business (don't know if he still is or not), but it seems like his commit to excellence has run its course..

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

Ok you got 2 things in 14 yrs anything else...that isn't ****!!!! I can tell you some real horror stories if tha's all you got....if you can't overcome these small adjustments then maybe you're in the wrong hobby, these aren't OEM parts they're aftermarket performance parts...but in the same sentence If i were Cattman I would've fixed all the mishaps ASAP....That's just me!

FCPImport

iTrader: (1)

I used the Greddy EVO2 off a 2000 Maxima that was fitted for the 4th gens. Sounded great and not banging issues. If you can find a used one that would be a great exhaust.

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

Never ever ever ever ever ever going to happen.

cashoit

1.5 yrs life out of an $800 exhaust (or any exhaust) is unacceptable.

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

You read something that said they got 1.5 yrs out of their Cattman Exhaust systems???? That's what you replied with! Their Catback life isn't over the setup has some issues that aren't right and there is contacting/banging/rubbing .....Read it right!

vqmaxman

I think this really blows the Max community out the water,because cattman the main supplier for the org has all of the exhaust from i/h/e I was looking for an easy in and out and that would of been Cattman, I think it's the fitting issue that made me come to a screaching halt. I Can try the Bpm, I don't want someone to custom and all of a sudden fitment issue or a o2 problem flanges, bung problems. I don't want a different headers and a different y-pipe and so on. I want 3" all around.

aackshun

iTrader: (3)

If you mean 3" all the way from the collectors back? No-one makes such a thing.

If they do, please point me to their direction, because I am having this custom made for the red car, and having an equal length 3" collector for the headers is nearly impossible...

MoncefA33

iTrader: (6)

I don't see a mod list, just a dyno #.

aackshun

iTrader: (3)

Built K20 motor in da hizzouse

MoncefA33

iTrader: (6)

HAUFFF.

vqmaxman

ok, I just called cattman himself and talked to him about the burning issue regarding the 3" exhaust and man he seemed some bit upset at the orgers and how he said he lost his money on the 3" exhaust investment,because know one was serious in buying the early batch and they were sitting in the shelf. I said some of us were serious and some of us did not have the money and some said it was to expensive. The bottomline is he was really mad at the orgers and the money he lost. I asked if he can make a 95-99 maxima"s exhaust and he said NO. I aksed him he said nobody wants to throw there money at the 3" exhaust expecially the 4th gen owners. I would say If someone can come thru again an try it again with patience and money and a 97-99 max hopefully he can get it right all around. I even asked if he can shrink the L=W of the muffler to fit the back area of the trailing arm is and realign the b-pipe center in out.

The Wizard

iTrader: (43)

I'll address your points, one by one. He's trying to play the victim, when in actuality, we were the ones left high and dry.

Lost money? No way. He made money. R&D was minimal, and honestly a joke. Evidence points to the fact that he used the same jig for the 2.5" catback for the 3" catback; very little was "designed" on the prototyping day. Additionally, the resonator is smaller on the 3" vs. the 2.5". This might very well be intentional, but I'm sure it's cheaper than the more robust 2.5" resonator. The 3" exhaust tip is thin walled, and non-resonated vs. the nice thick-walled and resonated 2.5" tip...another cost cutting measure.

After the first batch was made, Cattman had the f'n ***** to drop the price $36 for a short time. Would someone who is losing money drop the price even more? I think not. Not to mention that was a **** move for the 10 or so guys that jumped first and invested in this new product. Anyone involved in a "group deal" is supposed to get the best pricing possible.

Sitting on the shelf, he says? More BS. Cattman only make a batch of parts once he has ~ 10 solid orders and their deposits. Only then does he have the courage to make the parts, as he's looking for a guaranteed return on his money/investment. He's not a "build it and they will come" kind of guy. If he had a few extra sitting on the shelf after the group deal, well that's his fault too, because everyone caught wind of the crappy fitment and probably didn't want to shell out that much coin for an inferior and extremely poor fitting product. Had things gone the way they should have, and people were praising his products, any remaining systems would have flown off the shelf rather quickly.


He's mad at the org? That's funny. He should be mad at himself for dropping the ball during the prototyping phase, and for not making things right for his unhappy customers. He shot himself in the foot, not the other way around. We're mad too.

Well yeah, the community is pissed at how Cattman dealt with the whole situation and didn't man up to make things right. He took our money and ran, then not too long after this whole ordeal, he posts that he's selling his business.

McSteve

iTrader: (3)

@Wizard

Yet he has an unseemingly large following of fan boys that will bash the only other competitor (BRM) at every occasion they get. I met Brian multiple times. He seemed very helpful and was always great with customer service. I would say most of his products are great, especially the headers. However, he sure was paid for his products.

vqmaxman

[QUOTE=The Wizard;8362883]I'll address your points, one by one. He's trying to play the victim, when in actuality, we were the ones left high and dry.


Lost money? No way. He made money. R&D was minimal, and honestly a joke. Evidence points to the fact that he used the same jig for the 2.5" catback for the 3" catback; very little was "designed" on the prototyping day. Additionally, the resonator is smaller on the 3" vs. the 2.5". This might very well be intentional, but I'm sure it's cheaper than the more robust 2.5" resonator. The 3" exhaust tip is thin walled, and non-resonated vs. the nice thick-walled and resonated 2.5" tip...another cost cutting measure.

After the first batch was made, Cattman had the f'n ***** to drop the price $36 for a short time. Would someone who is losing money drop the price even more? I think not. Not to mention that was a **** move for the 10 or so guys that jumped first and invested in this new product. Anyone involved in a "group deal" is supposed to get the best pricing possible.

Sitting on the shelf, he says? More BS. Cattman only make a batch of parts once he has ~ 10 solid orders and their deposits. Only then does he have the courage to make the parts, as he's looking for a guaranteed return on his money/investment. He's not a "build it and they will come" kind of guy. If he had a few extra sitting on the shelf after the group deal, well that's his fault too, because everyone caught wind of the crappy fitment and probably didn't want to shell out that much coin for an inferior and extremely poor fitting product. Had things gone the way they should have, and people were praising his products, any remaining systems would have flown off the shelf rather quickly.


I see that this is a problem for us and him and what he also stated was that the 3" exhaust was not for our cars,because of the cars have a curve under the car that won't allow the exhaust to flush mount with the body. I would like to see if someone has a underview of the car something like what wizards pic is but just more under of the car.

Rods03Max619

iTrader: (5)

Good Luck Man hope you find what you are looking for in the exhaust department....