Car; 1998 Maxima GLE manu date 10/97, fed spec

I’ve been trying to locate a replacement oem style front cat pipe, but it’s proving to be a difficult situation.

I have ordered and tried the following brands:
Walker 50522
Brexhaust (Bosal) 099-570
Davico 13023
ontario exhaust (eBay brand)

The rear flange lines up with the rear manifold, but the front flange is not lining up with the holes for the front manifold. I removed the studs and that did not help. Although it showed how much each brand was off from the stock pipe. The eBay brand was the worst of 4 tried so far, was hitting the oil pan lip as well

Has anyone run into this issue? Suggestions appreciated.

 

Did you try loosening the manifolds at the heads?

 

I did not try that. But considering how much the difference is between the new pipe and manifold, not sure that would solve it..

attached some pics of issue.

thanks for the reply.

 

It sounds like you’ve been through a bit of $$ and frustration.

But if you’re still willing, I’d suggest taking your problem, along with the down-pipe you’re liking the most, to a local exhaust shop.

They can cut and re-weld those flanges at the correct positions.

I’m not sure what that cost would be or if you’re willing to foot a little more out of pocket, I’m sure your issue can be fixed.

 

Thanks. I have contacted a couple shops in my area and will see what they say when I bring the pipes in to them

 

From looking at your pictures that flange needs a tiny twist.. go the the exhaust shop, its should be a very cheap fix to get you back up and running. I do parts daily and these days the QC has gone by the wayside on pre made parts like this. GoodLuck

 

Are your motor mounts and lower radiator support all completely intact? That's the kind of misalignment a rusting and sagging lower radiator support delivers. Getting the pipe retro fitted and then fixing any part of the engine support will be the same problem again, to get back out of the problem by not addressing the real problem..

Just a thought from one step back and enough to see a bigger picture. Hopefully I'm wrong, but after 4 tries, the bigger picture has a better chance of finding why.


Good luck! Now NJ is at the same ball busting level as NY and California with exhaust.

 

This is a Great way of thinking. They also should be checked just for good measure.

 

The radiator support does have some rust, but it is intact. I will give the mounts a look and see if anything is broken or worn.

thanks for the replies.

When the old pipe was removed I made a trace of the two flanges on cardboard, then lined up the new pipe to see how much it was off by.

 

Best way to make sure your radiator support isn't stretching from corrosion is putting a floor jack under the engine cross member by the front of the car.around the front engine mount or more forward, See how much it moves up while jacking before it starts lifting the front higher. If there's a few inches of play before lifting the front of the car, it's worse than it appears. Maybe your old pipe bent a little with the heat and flex stretching it?

If not......

Magniflow makes a HIGH QUALITY replacement for Fed spec. Lucky you.... It's on sale at Hottexhaust.com @ 20% off:.https://www.hottexhaust.com/magnaflo...ard-grade-epa/

Don't feel bad.... I spent $1400 (My Cost buying direct) replacing everything from the bottom of the exhaust manifolds back on my 99 Cali Spec a few years ago. CARB Compliant with approval from NY State exception dept for the one pre cat that was no longer available anywhere new. WHAT a hassle..