I've been looking at b-pipes lately, as I wanted to hopefully free up a little more hp.

I'm curious as to the sound when coupled with headers, and more importantly if there is any gain to be noticed with the addition of a b-pipe? I'm used to 4th gens, where b-piopes are pretty much for sound only as they aren't worth much hp. But, the 5.5g seems to carry all of the 4/5g 3.0 exhaust, whcih would also lead to the typcial results that headers seem to yeild better with the 3.5, so that would lead me to believe that it would benefit more with larger piping.

Right now, I'm leaning toward Frankencar b/c of the the price, and quality, and the fact that I don't have to change the muffler if I don't want to.

Read an article in SCC on the 350Z when they isntalled a higher flow cat-back, it flowed much better, but no real gains were realized, and the writers of the article sated it was due to using 91 craptane. I'm not one to go much by magazines, but though it was interesting nonetheless.

Any thoughts/expriences wouild be appreciated.

 

bump...same question about the b-pipe, does it really help the exhaust flow better? or is it primarily for sound?

 

from what i understand, the B-pipe is very restrictive. a nice 2.5" one will free up some HP.

 

Actually the 5.5 gen has a better cat than the 5th gen. It's a high flow cat that's on the 5.5th gen. Take a look at it and compare it with a 5th gen cat. Some people may disagree but there's no real gains in getting a different cat unless maybe you boost.

 

01 Cali spec has the same MAIN cat as the 3.5L. Nothing special bout it, I melted mine with NOS within 30K miles.

 

I'm talking from the cat-to the muffler, not the cat itself. Just B pipe ..

 

I remember someone had some good pics of the crimps in the bends on the stock b-pipe... I think an aftermarket b-pipe would definitely help that... the Frankencar pipe I have looks great when compared to the stock one... as for the diameter... its only an increase from 2.25" to 2.5", so you're not gonna get a whole lot from that... since ya have headers, wouldn't it be nice to just open everything up from the headers back anyway (nothing wrong with the stock cat though)?

 

Pretty much my thoughts exactly. Just don't want the extra sound if it sounds too loud, b/c now, you can hardly even hear it. I don't want the B to have any raspiness or drone

 

I can tell ya that my Frankencar cat-back is almost silent... almost like stock again.... the resonator on the b is huge and that's probably what's dampening most of the sound... the muffler looks like it does a good job too (from what I can tell from the cutaway pics on their site)....

 

Yup, those pics are impressive, and tehy gave me a good price on the B, but I'm not sure with the headers if it's such a good idea.

Do you have a y-pipe of any sort under there, or just the cat-back? Any other mods?

And of coruse, I will dyno as well.

 

Why would it not be a good idea? Do ya still think its still gonna be too loud?

I have a Cattman y-pipe and Berk intake along with the cat-back... I might dyno next month too... not expecting a lot, just curious to see what it really makes instead of relying on approximations...

 

NmexMAX.....a bpipe will definitely help your header combo....I noticed a nice gain when I installed my cattman catback....only top-end gains though....low end feels exactly the same.....my bpipe is sitting in my garage for quite sometime now....the large crimp section is rediculous if u ask me....nissan crimped the bpipe for the maximas (4th gens and 5th gens) to give clearance for the hanger or something....judging from how small the piping diameter shrinks too....your definitely losing hp with the stock bpipe.....

 

steven88, nice looking car. What suspension are you sitting on? I


BAck OT, I like the sleeper look of course, that's why I could do w/o the added noise, but I want to know there's a differnce, not jsut "feel" it, odds are my mind is playing tricks on me.

Does anyone know it(F/C b-pipe) bolts up to the stock rear section?

 

I think you'd have to re-do the piping on the rear section... stock is 2.25" and the FC is 2.5"... length wise, I'm not sure, I know the FC/Cattman b-pipes and rears are interchangeable... but the FC b-pipes don't work with GReddy or OBX rears... mainly because of differences in piping length...

 

I'm sure there will be a difference....it won't be big though....nowhere as big of a gain as the headers....anyway I think the ultimate sleeper status for you NmexMAX...is the following...

Stock airbox with K&N filter modified ala GAB styles
headers (which u already have)
Cattman/FC b-pipe
Stock 5.5 gen muffler

if u want all out performance...get an aftermarket muffler and a full aftermarket intake (filter & midpipe)....but I know you said you wanted to keep it quiet and sleeper....so I suggested this setup....but one thing is for sure....stock 5.5 gen mufflers flow pretty damn well for an n/a setup...hp loss will be very minimal by staying with the stock 5.5 gen muff...many will agree....even a few 4th gen owners convert to a 5th gen muffler becuz of better flow than a stock 4th gen muffler but keeping it quiet at the same time

oh yeah i'm riding on d2 coilovers....over 3.5 inches from stock height and cranked up to max stiffness....taking twisties have never been this fun in a maxima!

 

You forgot about cams on that list.

I've had a mid-pipe (M/P) + GAB set-up and it's way too loud, and only yeilded 1hp over just the GAB w/o the m/p. GAB alone gave 9whp.

The only purpose the MP serves is to hold power a bit longer after 5.5k, but as a result power suffers at 5-5.2k when compared to the stock M/P.

Right now I only have the headers, closed up my intake just to see how it sounds, it's great.

My 4g is a bit louder than I want it, but that's how you live and learn ...

 

it's great that you did a dyno to show the difference between stock resonator versus aftermarket midpipe.....this goes to show that a midpipe does make somewhat of a difference for a 5.5 gen....unlike the 4th gens where some owners have swapped out their mid-pipes for the stocker....and claim to have felt a better overalll punch....there was a big debate awhile back in the 4th gen sections sayin the stocker resonator with just a cone filter was the absolute best setup for the 4th gen (low,mid and high RPMs)...I personally have tried both the mid-pipe and the resonator with my 4th gen...using a Stillen popcharger....and let me say that I couldn't tell any difference between the two....so i just opt for the midpipe and popcharger combo becuz I liked the roar of the midpipe better...but some pplz sweared by the stock resonator w/cone filter over the midpipe sayin that their butt dyno gave them gains

i've never tried just a cone filter with the stock resonator for my 6spd...and I wouldn't want to try it either...after you posted that dyno showing that the midpipe actually shows gains...and especially in the upper revs (6k and up).....and since you dynoed with your automatic with only 4gears....I will benefit more since i am a 6spd....i'm rolling thru the gears more and staying in the upper revs more than an auto