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A32 Cat Converter issues

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Old Jun 29, 2014 | 04:52 AM
  #1  
Llex's Avatar
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1
From: Canberra, Australia
A32 Cat Converter issues

Hi guys,

I'm new here, so please go easy on me with this

I have an Australian 98 A32 30G Maxima and about a week ago I noticed what can only be described as a high-pitched screeching noise that I think my be air passing through the baffles in my stuffed cat converter whenever going over about 10km/h or 1500rpm's.

I come to this conclusion because a) The noise comes from about the location of the car the cat is located, and b) about 2 - 3 years ago I was told by an exhaust shop that the cat was eroding quite badly.

It almost sounds like it would be the sound of the suspension about to give up, but I would think if this was the case it would be more of a constant noise instead of being at certain speeds.

My questions are:

From others experience (and from my poor description) does this sound like a likely guess?

Also, I currently have an aftermarket exhaust from the stock cat all the way back installed. If I was to ask while getting the cat looked at if it could be replaced with a hi-flow cat I would be laughed at? I realised it isn't the type of car people modify the exhaust on, but I enjoy the note.

Currently the exhaust is a little droney. Would a hi-flow cat add to this drone, or does it produce a different sort of noise generally? I'm a little ignorant when it comes to this sort of thing.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. I realise most here are from the States. Not sure is there is much difference in the setup of the exhaust in the Australian Maxima to the States version?
Old Jun 29, 2014 | 07:20 AM
  #2  
CS_AR's Avatar
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,037
From: Central AR
Welcome to Maxima.org. Earlier this year, my 99 Maxima cats were found to be severely cooked/clogged. The car would barely run at times and it was extremely hard to start.

To determine if clogged cats were part of the problem, I temporarily removed the O2 sensors so the engine could breathe, then started it and took it for a drive. While it was loud, opening the O2 sensor holes made a huge difference in the vehicle's performance. So it was just a matter of replacing the upstream pre-cats and stock pipes with a Y-pipe (e.g. pre-cats deleted) and installing a Magnaflow high-flow cat to resolve the problems I experienced last winter.

Since the car had already had the rear suitcase muffler removed and replaced with a straight pipe, it was noticeably louder than stock but not too loud. The OEM resoonator has since been replaced with a glass pack and an open exhaust pipe with s silencer. The silencer does a good job of keeping the noise level legal.

There are a couple of y-pipe and options that you will see members post success stories on this forum. I would search the forum on y-pipe and high-flow cat to check out the discussions.

Last edited by CS_AR; Jun 29, 2014 at 09:00 AM.
Old Jun 29, 2014 | 04:46 PM
  #3  
CMax03's Avatar
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,587
From: Houston, Tx
I have a picture of our 4th gen exhaust system do you need to see it?

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Old Jun 29, 2014 | 04:57 PM
  #4  
98maxaholic's Avatar
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 253
From: south east conn.
Originally Posted by CMax03
I have a picture of our 4th gen exhaust system do you need to see it?



Do you remember what you paid for the whole sysytem that u posted these pics of? i think im gonna be replacig mine before winter..i just wanna know a round about price for what u shown? i have a feeling im gonna need a cat also!
Old Jun 29, 2014 | 07:35 PM
  #5  
CMax03's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,587
From: Houston, Tx
Originally Posted by 98maxaholic
Do you remember what you paid for the whole sysytem that u posted these pics of? i think im gonna be replacig mine before winter..i just wanna know a round about price for what u shown? i have a feeling im gonna need a cat also!
The 2.5" tubing kit is from mandrel exhaust systems in which I helped design and fit for the Maxima community...Cost $120 but along with the mufflers Magnaflow 12576 (5" x 11" x 22") & 10436 (4" rd x 22"),
the welding ($25), and a Magnaflow tip ($50) Total:$375-400

http://www.mandrelexhaustsystems.com...EXHAUST/Detail
Old Jul 4, 2014 | 07:48 AM
  #6  
CMax03's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,587
From: Houston, Tx
Originally Posted by Llex
Hi guys,

I'm new here, so please go easy on me with this

I have an Australian 98 A32 30G Maxima and about a week ago I noticed what can only be described as a high-pitched screeching noise that I think my be air passing through the baffles in my stuffed cat converter whenever going over about 10km/h or 1500rpm's.

I come to this conclusion because a) The noise comes from about the location of the car the cat is located, and b) about 2 - 3 years ago I was told by an exhaust shop that the cat was eroding quite badly.

It almost sounds like it would be the sound of the suspension about to give up, but I would think if this was the case it would be more of a constant noise instead of being at certain speeds.

My questions are:

From others experience (and from my poor description) does this sound like a likely guess?

Also, I currently have an aftermarket exhaust from the stock cat all the way back installed. If I was to ask while getting the cat looked at if it could be replaced with a hi-flow cat I would be laughed at? I realised it isn't the type of car people modify the exhaust on, but I enjoy the note.

Currently the exhaust is a little droney. Would a hi-flow cat add to this drone, or does it produce a different sort of noise generally? I'm a little ignorant when it comes to this sort of thing.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. I realise most here are from the States. Not sure is there is much difference in the setup of the exhaust in the Australian Maxima to the States version?
If I were you, I would first...contact Warpspeed and get our hi flow cat (flanged) and the drone can be fixed by added a larger resonator, 22" Magnaflow 4" round muffler depending on exhaust tubing size, 2.5" (10436), 2.25" (10435), 2"(10434)....Took a pic of your exhaust so I can see what components you're using!
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