5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.
View Poll Results: Which cat-back exhaust do you have?
Greddy Evo
22.40%
HKS
4.92%
Custom
8.74%
Stillen
4.92%
Cattman
36.07%
Other (please specify)
22.95%
Voters: 183. You may not vote on this poll

Cat-back exhaust poll

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Old Feb 7, 2005 | 05:29 AM
  #41  
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Originally Posted by mdloops
My question would be why are you into getting a new exhaust? If it is for sound then just buy a new muffler. If it is for performance then I would suggest just buying a y-pipe and b-pipe. 90% of the gain in HP from any aftermarket exhaust is because of the use of mandrel bent tubing. The maxima has a great muffler already. I do not recommend anybody change their entire exhaust on a maxima for performance. For you a y-pipe and b-pipe would address the majority of the bottleneck of your stock exhaust. Think about it before wasting your money. I wish somebody would have talked me out of the whole catback idea 8 months ago. I am stuck with a louder exhaust, very little gain in HP, and I am out $600. Think about it.

Either way I would go with either cattman. A little overpriced but you will not be let down. I paid $260 for my PR CAI from cattman and did not even receive a cleaning kit. Had to purchase seperate. Good quality parts and assurance from defects.
which catback do you have?
Old Feb 7, 2005 | 06:24 AM
  #42  
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Custom setup with a cattman headers and y. Make sure if you get any straight through muffler you have a big a$$ resonator.
Old Feb 7, 2005 | 07:50 AM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by Charliejag
That's just my opinion (that Frankencar exhaust is not as good as far as quality than the Cattman).
Yes it is just your opinion... I can't seem to find one person I know with the Frankencar who says its poorer quality than the Cattman... but hey, it seems that cost isn't an issue to ya, so go for it... more power to ya... post em pics when ya got it all set up....
Old Feb 7, 2005 | 07:51 AM
  #44  
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Originally Posted by Charliejag
I have not owned either, I have gathered facts, specs and opinions from different people.
It would benefit us all if you could elaborate on this point... I'm very interested in seeing all the details actually....
Old Feb 7, 2005 | 09:16 AM
  #45  
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I agree. To me the Frankencar is cheaper and looks awesome. Quality also looks good, and so far everyone who has it, has no quaility complaints. The only drawback I see according to what I have read, is that it is a little heavy and some reinforcement of the exhaust hangers is needed. No biggie to me.

Pedro
Old Feb 7, 2005 | 09:17 AM
  #46  
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Honestly, I spoke at length with Brian Catts about it and formed my opinions from there. Also, I stand corrected about the o2 port thing. You were right in saying the CA specs don't have one there while the feds do (necessitating the port). I'm picking the exhaust up from Cattman today, I'll post pics tomorrow. Thanks for your opinions and input, I really appreciate it.
Old Feb 7, 2005 | 09:18 AM
  #47  
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By the way, look on Frankencar's site at the cutaway of the muffler. Does that look efficient to you?
Old Feb 7, 2005 | 09:19 AM
  #48  
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Isn't cattman louder than frankencar?
Old Feb 7, 2005 | 10:09 AM
  #49  
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Yeah, it is supposedly louder, but its still not very loud. I've heard that Frankencar sounds very similar to stock (with everything besides the cat-back left stock). We'll see, I'll have it installed by tomorrow. (Cattman)
Old Feb 7, 2005 | 10:17 AM
  #50  
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Let us know what you think about the exhaust after install because I am still undecided. Frankencar or Cattman, Cattman or Frankencar...

Pedro
Old Feb 8, 2005 | 12:45 PM
  #51  
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Originally Posted by mdloops
My question would be why are you into getting a new exhaust? If it is for sound then just buy a new muffler. If it is for performance then I would suggest just buying a y-pipe and b-pipe. 90% of the gain in HP from any aftermarket exhaust is because of the use of mandrel bent tubing. The maxima has a great muffler already. I do not recommend anybody change their entire exhaust on a maxima for performance. For you a y-pipe and b-pipe would address the majority of the bottleneck of your stock exhaust. Think about it before wasting your money. I wish somebody would have talked me out of the whole catback idea 8 months ago. I am stuck with a louder exhaust, very little gain in HP, and I am out $600. Think about it.

Either way I would go with either cattman. A little overpriced but you will not be let down. I paid $260 for my PR CAI from cattman and did not even receive a cleaning kit. Had to purchase seperate. Good quality parts and assurance from defects.

I don't agree. (With the part about not replacing the maxima muffler.) The reason is one is weight. It will lighten the car only slightly but every little bit helps. The stock muffler is very heavy and bulky. Two, it is dyno proven that with the replacement you do get gains, again it is not the 30 HP the Y-pipe replacement is going to give you, but again, every little bit counts. Three, how about looks!!

I went custom with my exhaust end and did not buy a $500 or $600 cat-back. But if I did I would take a good hard look at FrankenCar!! Their's was about $400 or $450!!
Old Feb 8, 2005 | 06:26 PM
  #52  
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I got the Cattman. So far, only the rear section is installed. Should get the rest put on tomorrow. The sound is great, but obviously it will be different with the different B pipe and resonator tomorrow. The look is great, check out my cardomain. members.cardomain.com/charliejag
Old Feb 8, 2005 | 06:29 PM
  #53  
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How do you like it so far. How is it soundwise with just the muffler piece?

Pedro
Old Feb 8, 2005 | 06:42 PM
  #54  
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Originally Posted by Charliejag
I got the Cattman. So far, only the rear section is installed. Should get the rest put on tomorrow. The sound is great, but obviously it will be different with the different B pipe and resonator tomorrow. The look is great, check out my cardomain. members.cardomain.com/charliejag
Did you buy one of those Michelin jacks?
Old Feb 8, 2005 | 08:22 PM
  #55  
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Originally Posted by Charliejag
I got the Cattman. So far, only the rear section is installed. Should get the rest put on tomorrow. The sound is great, but obviously it will be different with the different B pipe and resonator tomorrow. The look is great, check out my cardomain. members.cardomain.com/charliejag
Looks good... I really like the look of the Cattman rear section....
Old Feb 8, 2005 | 08:41 PM
  #56  
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how much do Cattman charge for shipping?
Old Feb 8, 2005 | 09:12 PM
  #57  
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No idea, I drove and picked it up. Only downside is that I have to pay sales tax cause we're both in AZ. The sound is nice, and I havent put the b pipes in yet. I bought a 3.5 ton jack, not a michelin. It was 60 bucks and lifts the car to a max of 22 inches. I think I used at least 20 inches of that to get the pipe over the axle. I'll post more, also pictures when I get the rest put in.
Old Feb 9, 2005 | 03:37 PM
  #58  
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Originally Posted by Charliejag
Does anybody actually have Frankencar? Also, how is the sound level of the Cattman (cat-back)?
ya there's about 54 guys running them right now. everyone has loved them so far.
Old Feb 9, 2005 | 03:41 PM
  #59  
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Originally Posted by Charliejag
By the way, look on Frankencar's site at the cutaway of the muffler. Does that look efficient to you?
the design looks complicated but it's based off the stock nissan design with better flow. The exhaust provides some back pressure at low RPMs to increase low end torque and has the cutaways and piping inside to regulate the exhaust flow at higher RPMs while still maintaining high flow.
Old Feb 17, 2005 | 05:49 AM
  #60  
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Originally Posted by Spooni
I don't agree. (With the part about not replacing the maxima muffler.) The reason is one is weight. It will lighten the car only slightly but every little bit helps. The stock muffler is very heavy and bulky. Two, it is dyno proven that with the replacement you do get gains, again it is not the 30 HP the Y-pipe replacement is going to give you, but again, every little bit counts. Three, how about looks!!

I went custom with my exhaust end and did not buy a $500 or $600 cat-back. But if I did I would take a good hard look at FrankenCar!! Their's was about $400 or $450!!
Amen to that...... the stock exhaust sytem is very heavy, my custom piping only weigh 13lbs the wieght of a greddy evo muffler, my Rayactive racing muffler only weighs 7lbs, and its stainless steel. So i have a 20lb cat-back system compared to a 35-40lbs exhaust system. Thats 15-20lbs of wieght my car doesn't have to lug around. I say cat -backs are worth it, the weight savings(if you choose wisely), the gains, the sound , etc.
Old Mar 7, 2005 | 07:00 AM
  #61  
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would the exhausts sound different on a 5 gen and on a 5.5 gen? i'm guessing that they would because of the difference in engine but just want to make sure. and for the 5.5 gen's, is there any exhaust out there, either by a company or your custom setup, that has a nice deep growl? i know frankencar is pretty quiet except for at WOT and i've heard that the greddy is kind of ricy. never really heard a custom setup. and if you guys have sound clips post them up!!
Old Mar 7, 2005 | 07:16 AM
  #62  
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hey dmbmaxima2k2, do you have any catback in stock for 5th gen?
Old Mar 7, 2005 | 07:21 AM
  #63  
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im also interested in everyones opinions...i have been reading this thread closely...im thinking about picking up a cattmann y pipe, b pipe, and muffler....should i replace the cat with the straight pipe they have on custommaxima or will that kill the sound of the cattmann exhaust?
Old Mar 7, 2005 | 01:56 PM
  #64  
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Originally Posted by Ammi
hey dmbmaxima2k2, do you have any catback in stock for 5th gen?
Call em.... they hardly ever see these posts....
Old Mar 7, 2005 | 06:10 PM
  #65  
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frankencar!!!! i heard it before... so nie and quiet... yet very deep. no ricey sound at alll. they got a sound clip of it on their site t0o
Old Mar 7, 2005 | 06:32 PM
  #66  
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i want a JIC!
Old Mar 7, 2005 | 11:31 PM
  #67  
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Originally Posted by Puppetmaster
Call em.... they hardly ever see these posts....
He said he might have a GD on FC exhaust when new shipment arrives. I'm not sure if that shipment arrived or not.
Old Mar 8, 2005 | 01:02 AM
  #68  
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got cattmen headers/cattmen cat-back exhaust.

just installed the exhaust last week and it sounds awesome with the headers.
Old Mar 8, 2005 | 07:17 AM
  #69  
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Originally Posted by Ammi
He said he might have a GD on FC exhaust when new shipment arrives. I'm not sure if that shipment arrived or not.
Nice... I saw a GD on b-pipes but that was just to get rid of inventory I think... hope things work out for ya.... did ya ever sell the SP?
Old Mar 8, 2005 | 08:48 AM
  #70  
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Originally Posted by Puppetmaster
Nice... I saw a GD on b-pipes but that was just to get rid of inventory I think... hope things work out for ya.... did ya ever sell the SP?
I still have it. Once I get good deal on FC, I'll be putting it up for sale.
Old Jan 11, 2006 | 08:22 PM
  #71  
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ive got custom piping from the y pipe back (catless) and for my rear section i have the hks. i think its one of the cleanest looking mufflers for the 5th generation max but it did cost an arm and a leg i love the throaty sound no complaints here.
Old Jan 11, 2006 | 10:31 PM
  #72  
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soon to be OBX.
Old Jan 12, 2006 | 07:14 AM
  #73  
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Greddy Evo 2
Old Jan 12, 2006 | 09:34 AM
  #74  
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stainless steel obx
Old Jan 12, 2006 | 10:22 AM
  #75  
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Mine is warpspeed 2.5 y pipe, 2.5 hi flo cat, 2.5 resonator, then 2.5 custom piping back to a flowsound 2.5inch inlet muffler with dual Silverline tips on my 2002. Sounds very mean and burbles a bit which is absolutely beautiful. No rasps, no bees none of that crap
Old Jan 12, 2006 | 03:54 PM
  #76  
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My review.

I have the Cattman Gen 2 headers insatlled with the Cattman cattback.

1st i installed the headers alone (with stock exhaust). Let me tell you it gives you the slight G35 type exhaust note iwth the stock exhaust, and the power gains are real..

Theni recieved my Cattman Catback exhaust, and let me tell you several things.

1. At highway speeds between 100 to 120km/h the drone is ANNOYING, and killing me. i Have to drive at speeds above 125 just to keep the drone away. I suspecte the exhaust is louder because of the headers.

2. The exhaust note really does sound like a Vr6 with an exhaust. Even has the burble.

3. I am getting constant backfire noises at higher rpms, not sure why, but i know that Steven88 has the same. Its in teh FAQ. His car actually shoots flames but he has a straight pipe. I am wondering how much damage this causes to my main cat since the header eliminates the precats.

4. The exhaust note is not a clean exhaust note with this set up. Lots of burbles and backfireing on shifting (downshifting).

5. I wish i could find out how much more power the catback exhaust is giving me over stock. Brian told me about 10 hp or so at the wheels in combination with my Frankencar Intake and Gen 2 headers. If its only like 5hp, i think i am going to end up selling the CATTMAN Catback exhaust.

6. I would like to add, teh QUALITY of the cattman exhaust system is AMAZING. Welds are excellent, everything is perfect.
Old Jan 13, 2006 | 09:46 PM
  #77  
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i got frankencar b pipe and cattman rear section.....coupled with my cattman y pipe, its a little too loud. Im considering switching to a frankencar muffler
Old Jan 14, 2006 | 11:47 AM
  #78  
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minirx7,

I have just the catback Cattman, stock forward of that, and I do not experience any of the backfires, burbles. Mine is also not as loud as yours, but I do notice anything below 2500rpm is a drone. Anything below about 65 (110kmh) is annoying, but I honestly don't drive in that range unless traffic forces me to.
Old Jan 14, 2006 | 02:34 PM
  #79  
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I have GReddy Evo2 on my 2000 and it sounds great, not ricey at ALL! nice deep tone to it
Old Jan 14, 2006 | 11:47 PM
  #80  
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Originally Posted by Charliejag
minirx7,

I have just the catback Cattman, stock forward of that, and I do not experience any of the backfires, burbles. Mine is also not as loud as yours, but I do notice anything below 2500rpm is a drone. Anything below about 65 (110kmh) is annoying, but I honestly don't drive in that range unless traffic forces me to.
All i know is that around 60-65mph is really really annoying... I drive 2 hours one way to go snowboarding, and its gotten to the point that i prefer taking myfriends car instead of my own. Everyday traffic, is no problem. It was until i started to drive on the highway for extended periods of time, i guess my car isnt a highway cruiser anymore.

I think whats worse is the drone is amplified by the fact i have headers. But i do get backfires and burbles. Maybe your stock precats muffle this effect? I am not sure if 2k's had precats.



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