KP11520

Just had the Cat-back exhaust done yesterday on my 99 SE.

Then they bring me under the car when it was running to point out my exhaust manifold seems to be leaking somewhere. (196K miles)

If so, my mindset is to replace both manifolds and y-pipe. Sounded like they didn't really want to do the work on it. Made it sound like a nightmare.

I live on Long Island and we've seen lots of snow (salt) since I bought it new. NY also now requires CARB compliant exhaust standards.

Any suggestions on what to point out to the Exhaust place (American Muffler in Westbury) about the labor and what parts would be legal and offer a good value?

Thanks Gang!

max ride 41

iTrader: (4)

dude, that's entirely up to you and what your willing to spend. warpspeed y pipe and ebay headers and that could fix your problems for around 500.00 or so. classified section might have some cheaper stuff as well. search man.

KP11520

Thanks MR41!

Since I probably am going to have American Muffler do the work, they have to follow NY State's new laws (CARB compliant) and go OEM equivalent. So, I am trying to learn which Y-Pipe, and from what I've read, additional pre-cat will be the best value (long lasting and OEM performance (or better if possible) at a reasonable price) and no mods to the car or oil pan.

As far as the exhaust manifolds, the same decision making criteria for them as well. Spending a lot of extra money for coolness or insignificant horsepower is not within my scope. Are there some that rise above the others in quality and design at a similar price?

My car has been a daily driver and will always be just that. Maybe even for another 17 years.

And if I was to do the job myself, if I did snap off a manifold bolt or two, what's the process to fix that?

I am hoping some here have used the same criteria and can share what combination of parts met their expectations at a reasonable price.

Thanks again!

max ride 41

iTrader: (4)

all aftermarket with no pre-cats in the y-pipe for me. oem style cat, it's a ***** to pass emissions every year, passed last year for the first time in 5 years.

BobMax

Just a thought... I'd be very nervous about having anyone but a very experienced mechanic doing the manifolds. A good man will know what to do to avoid breaking studs and will know what to do if he breaks one. A guy who knows Nissans will even have some tricks for drilling and extracting them without messing up the threads in the head.

If that shop is just "muffler guys" I would have someone else do at least the manifolds. You want a real mechanic, not a kids who changes mufflers.

KP11520

So CARB Compliant means I have to follow the exact same rules as California, here in New York! Especially if I have any registered shop do the work. They can get fined a huge sum if they are caught not installing CARB compliant components.

Everybody sells all the right stuff for the other 48 states!

My state is a bit harder to actually find all the proper components to the front of the Main Cat. Especially at a reasonable price.

OUCH!

Anybody from Cali have experience with this?

Thanks!

The Wizard

iTrader: (43)

Yeah, I do all my own work myself. Problem solved! haha

KP11520

Do you legitimately pass state inspection? If so, what parts did you use in front the rear Cat to the engine?

Did the Exhaust Manifold studs give you any trouble?

CS_AR

KP, back when I was commuting to Hicksville from NJ each day, my daily ride was the LIRR. I worked in the big white building just next to station.

Mineola, Carle Place, Westbury, Hicksville..

KP11520

Hopefully you didn't have to pay "Peak" fares because you weren't commuting to NYC! But rather away!

Hicksville has slid down since those days. You aren't missing anything!

Back in the day, my house was in Levittown, right off Rte 106. Sorry to say, that's changed too!

Got any exhaust advice my friend? You know how much I value your experience and opinions!

CS_AR

That's right. It was always "off peak" in my direction. :-)

We need somebody from the NY to weigh in with emission testing experience. I installed a warpspeed y-pipe and Magnaflow cat a couple of years ago. I think my configuration is a lot like Max Ride 41s. I wish I had stayed with a OEM style cat though like MR41. I do get a code once in a while that complains about the high-flow cat. We keep an OBD2 reader in the car to reset it when it show up. Stock headers though.

KP11520

New Exhaust (Nissan) manifolds are between $225 to $250 each. Dorman are around $70 to $80 each (Non California standards) Which can't be shipped to New York.

Then the Y-Pipe. I can get a California compliant Y-Pipe shipped but then what do I put where the front catalyst converter goes?

I should just have everything shipped to my friend in NJ and pick it up and maybe have a shop there do the work.

I guess I could buy used, but in mint condition, Nissan Exhaust Manifolds. (And new studs, nuts and gaskets).

Looks like they go for around $80 a pair.

Screw CARB Compliant. My car is a 99. That's 15 years before they made CARB compliant the law. I'm grandfathered in, in my book!