I did the install of the B&M STS and the new gen2 Y-Pipe from Cattman. I replaced my Pacesetter STS and Cattman's gen1 pipe. Sorry for the delay in posting, I've been out giving away my money to the Bellagio and the Golden Nugget for the last few days.

B&M Shifter:

This was a good purchase. The shifter is much higher quality when compared to the Pacesetter. Installation was a breeze with the exception of having to buy a new set of snap-ring pliers since my old pair just couldn't do the job. That little snap ring is a big a$$ pain, but other than that I was fine. Perfect fit...no rubbing against the heat shield. The throws are actually a little shorter than where I had my Pacesetter set (about 2/3 of the way up rod). The shifter rod is also a little shorter, so the **** sits a little lower as an STS should. Very sporty look and feel. I put my Grant Evolution shift **** back on and it looks great. The shifter is still a little notchy just due to the very short shifts, but the shifts are much smoother and the shifter recenters itself better than the Pacesetter did. I was also getting an odd buzzing on the Pacesetter (developed after a couple months) in 5th gear which has since disappeared.

Cattman Y-Pipe

Love it. Very tight fit...perfectly cut for the Max. I wrapped all the straight pipes with header wrap but left the welds and the flex section exposed to prevent hot spots or degradation of the welds. No buzzing (a little more quiet than my completely wrapped up gen1 pipe) and hopefully an extra 1/4 hp due to the straighter air flow that results. No bees-in-a-can from the start. The new location of the hanger bracket is perfectly aligned with the stock rubber hanger...the gen1 was several inches off. Also, the flex section is much higher quality and at least a few inches longer. The exhaust moves comfortably right out of the box...no breaking in or sitting under the car pushing and pulling on the pipe to loosen the flex up. All-in-all, I recommend the gen2 pipe as a better experience than the gen1.

I'm still out of town so I'll be a little slow responding to questions, but I'll get to them eventually. Also, my gen1 pipe had no flex section damage, so I'll be selling it for $200 shipped when I get home. I'll also be selling the Pacesetter STS if anybody wants it (you'd have to be seriously strapped as I'd highly suggest picking up the B&M). On my Maxima for ~three months and I'll sell it for $25. I won't be able to deal with anybody who wants these items until the weekend when I'm back home.

Cheers guys! Congrats Kevin...looking forward to Maxima.ORG a la Kev.

Cool, I know that Cattman is working on a Ypipe for the 2k2 and 2k3's, right?

I hear there's gonna be a cattman exclusive install guide on the new site he has in the works. He said he's adding install guides for Cattman products as an added value to all of us loyal customers.

Glad to hear it! Sounds like my next "upgrade". So, does the shifter return to the middle after you pop out of 5th and let go? Describe how it's shifting a little more please.

BTW, I believe I figured out what the "buzzing" sound is from the STS. Part of the shift rod actually touches(hits on mine!) the front part of the console when in 1st/3rd/5th gear. The "normal" vibration through the shifter is buzzing when it's touching the console at least on my 2K2 console it does.

When you update your site, please let us know. I am looking forward to seeing the shifter and how it lines up.

The "buzzing" I am referring to was not that. I specifically held my hand back there while it was happening to check for that and the rod was not touching. Plus, it only happened in 5th, not 1st or 3rd. It also only happened under half throttle or so...when I punched it, the sound would go away.

Yes, the shifter does recenter itself out of fifth and reverse. With the Pacesetter, I assume you noticed that it wasn't consistantly recentering also? That was one of the first things I checked before I even put the console back on. I've resigned myself to the fact that when the throws are shortened this much, there will be a bit of notchy shifts just because you cannot slide in a straight line from 2nd to 3rd and 4th to 5th. Those two shifts still feel a little notchy...but the straight line shifts feel very solid and smooth.

I'll try to take some shots of the shifter installed soon. You should be able to compare them to my previous shots of the Grant shift **** on the Pacesetter for comparison. I'm not back home until Friday, but I'll get them taken soon.

Did you have fun with the snap-ring too or did you have a good set of pliers to start?

Tons o' fun!!! Took 2 people, (Max_Gator + myself) 15 minutes for the snap-ring alone. We didn't have the tool for it so we improvised with a little set of pliers (which couldn't open it wide enough) and a screwdriver (to force it over the edge and into the groove).

I had to buy the pliers also. Worked good with it.

I had a set of the freakin' snap-ring pliers which didn't even work...went out and bought a better pair at Lowes...that did the trick.

Oh, and I spent a lot more than 15 minutes by myself...f'ing with that thing. I was cursing B&M for not shipping the thing pre-assembled for at least a half an hour.

Me too! I couldn't understand that.

Mass produced unit...assembling it would have added a significant step to an assembly line. The center unit with the pivot ball is the same in every B&M shifter, I would presume. The outside ring is different for each car, based on the mounting mechanism. They are just simplifying their world. I understand completely, but I was still cursing the hell out of them.

Cattman Gen 2 Y-pipe

I just installed it as well on my ride. I didn't have the Gen 1 so I can't compare that. But as compared to the stock y-pipe you can instantly tell the exhaust flow is much smoother with the Cattman. Of course since the pre-cat is gone. The flex section is definitely much beefier and the overall workmanship of the Cattman is a great deal better than the stock.

The install was pretty much a breeze. The Cattman fit perfectly in place of the stock y-pipe. My only complaint was that the install kit that came with the Cattman y-pipe didn't have the correct sized gaskets that fit between the y-pipe and the main catalytic converter. I was disappointed by this, but it didn't let me down too much. Since I had the y-pipe sitting in my room for almost 4 months I can't make a formal complaint to Cattman because of waiting too long. So no matter. Total install time took about 4 hours, but that included me taking off my aftermarket cat-back exhaust and re-installing my stock exhaust. So I would say just for the y-pipe you are looking at about 2 and a half to 3 hours at the most. Make sure you have the correct tools. You definitely need a long and short socket wrench extensions with a universal joint and/or flexible socket extension.

So far I have no "bees in the can" sound and with a stock exhaust and stock catalytic converter the y-pipe is really quiet. I can defintely feel the difference when my foot hits the pedal. The car has much greater pull throughout the RPM range. I love it! One of the best mods you can do for your car.

The opening in the gasket was probably the right size, but the drilled holes are set to close in...right? If you cut out the screw hole a bit, it fits right. Cattman ships the OE Nissan gasket with his y-pipes. I had the same problem bolting the y-pipe up to my RT Cat.

Hmmm...yeah the holes were too close in. I just used the original gasket. I will buy new gaksets for that and the ones behind the cat too since I had changed the cat-back exhaust. I have to take the y-pipe off again anyhow because at some point I have to take my car in for the transmission slip TSB. What a pain...I didn't really start noticing the slip till after I installed the y-pipe. Weird....