I just had my Cattman Y pipe installed yesterday. Right when I start up the car it rattles like it is hitting something. The sound is really annyoing and it makes my Maxima sound like a POS. I took it back to my machanic, after the problem and he couldn't figure it out. I know it is not his fault because he has already installed 6 or 7 of them. If this continues this Y pipe will be for sale because I can't stand this sound. Also, when I'm accelerating slow it vibarates and shakes everything in the car.. The steering wheel the most. Does anyone know what this problem could be or know I could fix it? Thanks..
Senior Member
Try a search...it's been covered many times.
I have a Cattman on both my 97's and it fit fine, no rattles now
I have a Cattman on both my 97's and it fit fine, no rattles now

Seems to me like people who "had them installed" have problems and people who did it themselves have none, me included.
Senior Member
Quote:
Originally posted by Nealoc187
Seems to me like people who "had them installed" have problems and people who did it themselves have none, me included.
you did it yourself?!?!?!Originally posted by Nealoc187
Seems to me like people who "had them installed" have problems and people who did it themselves have none, me included.
I could have sworn you had 2 unidentified master maxima mechanics helping you, one with a name starting with a B and ending in rian...and the other starting with an S and ending in zymon.

Senior Member
I was going to buy the Cattman today, now I am concerned.
It was between the Cattman and the Stillen. I heard the Stillen had a flange issue, so I was going with the Cattman, for better finish and gains.
Who knows, I will probably take a chance on the Cattman.
It was between the Cattman and the Stillen. I heard the Stillen had a flange issue, so I was going with the Cattman, for better finish and gains.
Who knows, I will probably take a chance on the Cattman.
Senior Member
Quote:
Originally posted by VeeTec
I was going to buy the Cattman today, now I am concerned.
It was between the Cattman and the Stillen. I heard the Stillen had a flange issue, so I was going with the Cattman, for better finish and gains.
Who knows, I will probably take a chance on the Cattman.
go with the cattman...and install it yourself.....believe me, you WON'T be dissapointed....Originally posted by VeeTec
I was going to buy the Cattman today, now I am concerned.
It was between the Cattman and the Stillen. I heard the Stillen had a flange issue, so I was going with the Cattman, for better finish and gains.
Who knows, I will probably take a chance on the Cattman.
Senior Member
Quote:
Originally posted by Nealoc187
Get the cattman, and install it all by yourself like I did
d@mmit neal! didn't we just have a discussion about this??? Originally posted by Nealoc187
Get the cattman, and install it all by yourself like I did
now say it with me "ONLY MASTER MAXIMA MECHANICS CAN INSTALL Y-PIPES!"

Senior Member
Quote:
Originally posted by Nealoc187
Seems to me like people who "had them installed" have problems and people who did it themselves have none, me included.
I'm going to install mine myself (hopefully) when I get it because I know I'll be more careful than some muffler shop. The question I had is how much time will it take? I am an amateur mechanic...I did my own tune up, change my own oil, etc. But I've never done much big stuff. I'm just afraid I might break a bolt on the old Y-pipe that I'll be taking out. I did that when putting on my catback and had to take it to a muffler shop. They put it all in for 40 bucks. Just wondering how long it would take an amateur like me to do it? And what precautions to take? Originally posted by Nealoc187
Seems to me like people who "had them installed" have problems and people who did it themselves have none, me included.
FYI...I'm going to put in a Pacesetter STS at the same time I put in the Y-pipe for convenience reasons.
FWIW, my Stillen ypipe rattles also...but only recently. Funny how it only happens when I make a left turn or stomp the gas.
It's been on the car for about 2 years with no issues. No regrets but I think I need to get it adjusted.
Jim
It's been on the car for about 2 years with no issues. No regrets but I think I need to get it adjusted.
Jim
Senior Member
Quote:
Originally posted by DCmax
RESET THE ECU. I had the same problem when I installed my Cattman about a month ago. I reset the ECU and everything was peachy.
why would the ECU have ANYTHING to do with his problem?!?!?!?! He has a vibration because the y-pipe is hitting something....it's probably hitting the heat shield that you are supposed to REMOVE when you install an aftermarket y-pipe...and the muffler shop probably didn't remove it.Originally posted by DCmax
RESET THE ECU. I had the same problem when I installed my Cattman about a month ago. I reset the ECU and everything was peachy.
Senior Member
Quote:
Originally posted by BriGuyMax
why would the ECU have ANYTHING to do with his problem?!?!?!?! He has a vibration because the y-pipe is hitting something....it's probably hitting the heat shield that you are supposed to REMOVE when you install an aftermarket y-pipe...and the muffler shop probably didn't remove it.
Becuase, I had THE SAME PROBLEM, from the SAME BATCH of CATTMAN y pipes. I too had a problem with the vibration and the section of the pipe after the flex was touching the frame on my car so initially I though it was that. The pipe was just touching though and there was no stress whatsoever being put on the frame. SO, before I decided to get the car back on a lift, and with suggestions from people on this board, I decided to reset the ECU which takes all of 2 SECONDS to do.Originally posted by BriGuyMax
why would the ECU have ANYTHING to do with his problem?!?!?!?! He has a vibration because the y-pipe is hitting something....it's probably hitting the heat shield that you are supposed to REMOVE when you install an aftermarket y-pipe...and the muffler shop probably didn't remove it.
So before you knock my suggestion, why dont you give one of your own before declaring yourself a master mechanic. There's nothing master about hyping the Cattman on a thread where someone is obviously having problems with it.
Senior Member
Quote:
Originally posted by Nealoc187
Still confused as to why resetting the ecu would have anything to do with the vibration that's being experienced.
In this case maybe nothing. But like with almost any performance modification, it takes the ECU some time to "learn" or adapt to it's new surroundings if you will. It's very possible that the heat shield may be causing this problem but that's easily identified by just looking under the car at idle.Originally posted by Nealoc187
Still confused as to why resetting the ecu would have anything to do with the vibration that's being experienced.
Other members have experienced this hard idle and more times then not, the problems have stopped after a simple clockwise turn of a screw.
I dont have the background to divulge into what in fact the ECU does and how it calculates the fuel to air ratio and anything like that, wish I could. Maybe someone else can weigh in.
Senior Member
Quote:
Originally posted by CitrusSpeed
where is this little screw i am turning at?
left side of the ECUOriginally posted by CitrusSpeed
where is this little screw i am turning at?
www.maximadriver.com
Go to the How2s section and click RESET THE ECU
Senior Member
Quote:
Originally posted by DCmax
Becuase, I had THE SAME PROBLEM, from the SAME BATCH of CATTMAN y pipes. I too had a problem with the vibration and the section of the pipe after the flex was touching the frame on my car so initially I though it was that. The pipe was just touching though and there was no stress whatsoever being put on the frame. SO, before I decided to get the car back on a lift, and with suggestions from people on this board, I decided to reset the ECU which takes all of 2 SECONDS to do.
So before you knock my suggestion, why dont you give one of your own before declaring yourself a master mechanic. There's nothing master about hyping the Cattman on a thread where someone is obviously having problems with it.
I ALSO still do not see how resetting the ECU will have ANYTHING at all to do with an engine vibration from an exhaust part...if you know anything about what a car's ECU DOES...then you'll know that doesn't have anything to do with engine vibration. Originally posted by DCmax
Becuase, I had THE SAME PROBLEM, from the SAME BATCH of CATTMAN y pipes. I too had a problem with the vibration and the section of the pipe after the flex was touching the frame on my car so initially I though it was that. The pipe was just touching though and there was no stress whatsoever being put on the frame. SO, before I decided to get the car back on a lift, and with suggestions from people on this board, I decided to reset the ECU which takes all of 2 SECONDS to do.
So before you knock my suggestion, why dont you give one of your own before declaring yourself a master mechanic. There's nothing master about hyping the Cattman on a thread where someone is obviously having problems with it.
I DID GIVE A SUGGESTION...why don't you re-read my other post. oh, and about the master mechanic thing....do you know what sarcasm is??
Quote:
Originally posted by BriGuyMax
why would the ECU have ANYTHING to do with his problem?!?!?!?! He has a vibration because the y-pipe is hitting something....it's probably hitting the heat shield that you are supposed to REMOVE when you install an aftermarket y-pipe...and the muffler shop probably didn't remove it.
This was no muffler shop. I had a guy on the org. do it. He pretty much knows everything there is to know about Max's seeing how he takes his apart almost everyday.Originally posted by BriGuyMax
why would the ECU have ANYTHING to do with his problem?!?!?!?! He has a vibration because the y-pipe is hitting something....it's probably hitting the heat shield that you are supposed to REMOVE when you install an aftermarket y-pipe...and the muffler shop probably didn't remove it.
Senior Member
Quote:
Originally posted by BriGuyMax
d@mmit neal! didn't we just have a discussion about this???
now say it with me "ONLY MASTER MAXIMA MECHANICS CAN INSTALL Y-PIPES!"
Thats why I am going to install mine Originally posted by BriGuyMax
d@mmit neal! didn't we just have a discussion about this???
now say it with me "ONLY MASTER MAXIMA MECHANICS CAN INSTALL Y-PIPES!"

i will be getting the cattman again because from my prior experience the pipe fit perfectly and provided AMAZING gains. Y don't i go the cheaper route? do a search for the comparison in pipes. You get what you pay for in my opinion.
Senior Member
After I had my Cattman installed I was getting all kinds of rattling. It turn out that the b-pipe was hitting the car. Also the 2nd down (toward the back of the motor) there is a heat shield that was vibrating against the the pipe so I bent it away and no noise.
Quote:
Originally posted by GTRBlkMax97
Thats why I am going to install mine
For the 20th time! The person who installed the Y pipe works on Maxima's almost everyday for hours. Wasn't his fault, he has installed about 7 of them already.Originally posted by GTRBlkMax97
Thats why I am going to install mine
Senior Member
Quote:
Originally posted by puremax
For the 20th time! The person who installed the Y pipe works on Maxima's almost everyday for hours. Wasn't his fault, he has installed about 7 of them already.
then e-mail Brian Catts and tell him your situation. He'll straighten everything out. Believe me...you don't want the warpspeed pipe...it won't last HALF as long as the cattman will...especially the flex section.Originally posted by puremax
For the 20th time! The person who installed the Y pipe works on Maxima's almost everyday for hours. Wasn't his fault, he has installed about 7 of them already.
Senior Member
I had an annoying rattle after installing my Cattman pipe (myself) as well. Turns out it was one of the old mounting brackets that was rubbing the pipe. I removed all the old brackets (which were not being used anyways), so now the Ypipe is supported only from the two exhaust manifolds and at the cat. Rattle is gone and pipe works fine now.


