Last week my muffler separated from the "B-Pipe" at the flange (actually the flange rusted through on the muffler side). I just had the flange repaired at an exhaust shop, but now I'm hearing a lot of metal on metal noise from the rear end. I suspect that the muffler was getting banged around so much while the flange was broken, that some or all of the innards of the muffler are now loose. Whenever I go over a bump or a pot hole, I hear something "clanging" in the rear corner. So, I'm now on a quest for a new muffler. My requirements in priority order are as follows:

1. Quiet (I like to hear my Alpine HU, not my exhaust!)
2. Equivalent or better performance than OEM (including sufficient back pressure for good low end torque).
3. Stainless Steel
4. Looks good.
5. Fits existing "B-Pipe" without mods.

I really need help with making a selection. Thanks in advance!

 

Frankencar... cheaper than most others and of good quality... it doesn't drone and is only slightly louder than stock at WOT...

Look into Cattman too... but it costs more than the Frankencar...

These are the quietest two outside of OEM...

Btw, the OEM muffler isn't that restrictive.... so performance wise most other mufflers aren't gonna give ya a whole lot of gains....

 

Some pics of those rear sections that I like...

Frankencar on dblrr900's Max...



Cattman on Semy2k2go's Max:



Hope the 2 of ya don't mind me using your pictures...

 

Puppetmaster:

Thanks for the quick response. Have you personally heard these exhausts? I used to have a Civic EX and I ran it with an Apexi rear section and later with a Greddy EVO rear section. Both were WAY too loud to the point where I started to get headaches from driving the car. The Apexi was the worst offender. I promised myself never to buy another loud exhaust - IMHO it is just not worth it. Having a really quiet muffler is truly critical to me . . . Thanks again.

Andy

 

HKS sounds good, and not too loud. Looks good too. Don't know about performance.

 

Wow - my car looks filthy in that pic

 

I have the Frankencar cat-back on my Max right now.... its definitely almost like stock when cruising and such... opens up nicely at WOT.... I used to have a GReddy EVO too, so I know what crazy droning is, although I didn't mind that so much. I can promise ya that the Frankencar has no drone whatsoever though.

As for the Cattman, I've heard sound clips of it, but never been in a Max with a Cattman....

 

Yeah... sorry, maybe I shoulda picked a better one... just liked the angle of your exhaust on that one....

 

For only $400 and a great rep, seems like the Frankencar catback is the way to go.

 

If noise is an issue, don't get HKS.

 

Frankencar is noiseless..

 

cattman is my favorite muffler for the 5th gen. I've heard 'em all, and i couldn't recommend it more.

 

Okay folks, I still need to replace my exhaust, and after listening to the sound clips from the Frankencar exhaust on-line, I think it is going to be too loud for my tastes. I am open to other recommendations for a non-restrictive and quiet exhaust option or a place where I can buy OEM exhaust parts for cheap. Thanks in advance.

Andy

 

I gotta say the Cattman is a good choice.

 

My muffler separated at the B-pipe on 01 Max. There was no rust, the flange just fell off. I am getting Cattman.

 

I have a megan racing exhaust on my car, wouldnt have been my first choice but it was on the car when I bought it. I get stopped constantly by people asking me what type of exhaust I have. I was in the parking lot at work the other day and a guy came up and said I have to ask what kind of exhaust that is, told him and he said it sounds really good. It does have a great sound and it is not really noticeable until you get on it and then it is a nice sound I am pretty sure I am going to keep it despite the fact I would have chosen a different muffler myself.

 

well if people come to ask what kind of exhaust you had, it's obviously noticeable

 

does anybody here have aftermarket y-pipe along with frankencar cat-back? i currently have just cattman y-pipe and was thinking of getting a cat-back but don't want it to be too loud...would adding the cat-back be much louder?

 

I do... Cattman y + FC cat-back.... its barely louder than the stock cat-back... ya barely know its there until ya hit the higher rpms.... even then, my intake still drowns it out...

 

I had a place recommend a thermal racing exhaust on my max, they said that one is pretty good. Anyone heard anything on that one?

 

Yeah you can tell a slight difference in tone below about 3k but on startup you get that initial sound and when I cruise around the parking lot I usually do it in first and go well over 3k. I will make a video one of these days, just because I havent hear a similar sound on a max.

 

If you want just a muffler and not the full catback go with a 2.5 inch Dynomax Superturbo. Can't beat the $40 price tag, however the downside it the stock one has to be cut off and this has to be welded on by a muffler shop. Model 17748. You can get them at any place like Summit or Jegs

http://www.dynomax.com/superturbo.stm

 

The Thermal Racing catback for the Spec-V is highly regarded over on b15sentra.net. I've never seen a Maxima with one, though.

 

This garage I talked to had installed a couple on maximas. I'm sure it's a custom set up and it probably ain't cheap. But they had a 2000 se with a thermal on.