ok so this might be a lame idea but...

exhaust plan: y-pipe & muffler mod
wife restriction: if it's too loud, it ain't gonna happen.

what if...
instead of a single high-flow (loud) muffler, i was to get my hands on a second stock 2k muffler and hang it from the left (opposite the existing muffler) and split the exhaust coming out of the cat to feed them. would i then be doubling the air flow without sacrificing decible reduction?

could this 'valve' that we are supposed to have in the muffler be wired to the existing muffler's 'valve' to have them function simultaneously? or does high pressure cause this thing to open? or what?
i didn't look under the car yet to see if there is room, but suspect that the spare tire well may interfere.

any input appreciated

 

I don't think splitting into two exhausts after the cat would give you much of an increase in flow. Doesn't a true dual exhaust system need to have two sets of headers that feed each exhaust?

 

If you do that. Like UMD said, you really need the dual headers. Even if you DO get them, it might not make much of a diff.

 

The Ford Crown Vic goes from 225 -> 240 with dual exhuast. I think the Maxima could gain 10 HP. Or is there a reason that a V6 would gain less?

 

You may not be happy with the results of the dual stock mufflers. The reason for the valve inside the muffler is to increase the backpressure for more low end torque, supposidly around 3k there is enough volume of exhuast flow to open the valve, reducing backpressure thus increasing horsepower at the top end. With duals you'll lose low end torque and may never be able to create enough exhuast volume to open the valve.

 

I just saw pics at work on the new Altima/Maxima last night. The new models will be the same sheel like we expected and both will have at least the 240 HP engines. They will have dual exhaust at least 2 mufflers out the back end. Headlights will be like the new Frontiers. It's going to be very impresive.

 

You could take a look at this: http://integra.vtec.net/geeser/megamax/. He may have some information, even though it is a later model.

 

i thot that was a fuel pump or something?? the black box behind the rear bumper on the drivers side? to reduce in cabin noise. or a somethign to do with the fuel system.. i've been workin' on exhaust systems quite a bit. and i say. dual. looks. not performance. and no it won't be quieter it'll be louder. and it wont' fit under the drivers side unless you relocate that black box and cut into your bumper unless you want to hang the muffler real low. and the spare tire wheel well isn't exactly centered so you might not have space at all for dual factory mufflers. the factory muffler is pretty long and bulky. i say get 2.25-2.5 piping cat back. and y pipe. get rid of at least one cat. or just get rt cats.. replace all the cats. it wont' be as loud and u free up alotta bottle knecks.