I've recently started reading some of hte NissanPerformanceMag.COM issues and was glancing over a column titled "Ask Sarah". In August 2002 someone asks her about the various engines/tranmissions in the G35 and 350Z. Her response talks about the various Nissan cars that use the VQ35DE engine and how they are tuned differently. My question is she says about the 2002 Maxima that it "lacks a good exhaust system". I thought I read on this board previously that the exhaust was pretty good. Her other writings indicate to me that she knows what she's talking about when it comes to performance tuning. Any comments on aftermarket exhausts and what increase they might bring about?

(Link to magazine site)

 

I think she was preferring to the lack of dual exhausts in the Maxima
(due to the rear beam location). If you read the project Altima this month issue, the aftermarket dual exhausts increase horsepower significantly. Their project Altima is currently dynoed w/more hps on the flywheel compared to the 350Z, according to their finding.

She also mentioned that Nismo will have performance parts available for the G35/SE-R/350Z in March-April 03' (June issue) but never mentioned about the Maxima. That sucks! As for the current afttermarket exhaust for the Maxima, I believe there are y-pipe (header), B-pipe, Cat, muffler that will increase power...tho they will make your car much louder.

 

The exhaust system in the 2002 is light-years ahead of previous years (aka why 2k2s won't gain nearly as much from a y-pipe). Compared to the 350z exhaust it's not much, but it's certainly by no means bad. The 350z is one of the best factory exhausts out there, most exhausts for that car gain next to nothing and some actually lose power. Compared to that, anything's going to seem "lacking".