Headers and Y-Pipe Questions
#1
Headers and Y-Pipe Questions
I decided to totally re-do my exhaust on an 02 max. I found a great deal on headers and a y-pipe both in stainless. I was thinking of just installing the Y-pipe and selling the headers. I wanted to know if the stock headers are stainless or will they eventually rust out? Also, is it a pain to install headers? Is there any advantage in stalling the headers and the Y-pipe? Or am I better just installing the Y-pipe. I have an exhaust shop that is doing the work.
#2
The stock headers are not stainless, but they will not eventually rust out unless you drive in saltwater constantly for 400,000 miles
Y-pipe is relatively easy to install, whereas headers are pretty difficult, especially if you don't know what you're doing. Also, there are good headers and bad headers for our cars. The hotshot headers are generally accepted as the best, but I wouldn't use the ones off ebay, they will not yeild significant gains AFAIK
Y-pipe is relatively easy to install, whereas headers are pretty difficult, especially if you don't know what you're doing. Also, there are good headers and bad headers for our cars. The hotshot headers are generally accepted as the best, but I wouldn't use the ones off ebay, they will not yeild significant gains AFAIK
#4
Originally Posted by irish44j
Y-pipe is relatively easy to install, whereas headers are pretty difficult, especially if you don't know what you're doing. Also, there are good headers and bad headers for our cars. The hotshot headers are generally accepted as the best, but I wouldn't use the ones off ebay, they will not yeild significant gains AFAIK
#5
From the original post, it's not clear to me whether he's trying to sell the headers or just the y-pipe., just because the simple fact that the headers and y-pipe cannot be separated when dealing with a "header set", which all manufacturers for 02+ headers are this way. If you're purchasing a y-pipe, and a header set separately, and want to sell either or when you decide which to put on ... that's not smart.
#6
Originally Posted by D Love
I thought Cattman was generally accepted as the best, but are more expensive.
#7
The headers and Y-pipe are no-name. They look to be a good quality pipe. From the posted advice I'll stick to my original plan and have the Y-pipe installed and sell the headers. I also noticed that the flanges on my cat are very rusted and the resonator (Greddy) is extremly rotted (pre stainless days). Will I be OK with an aftermarket High Flow Cat or should I look for a stock cat? I'm worried about emissions and longevity. Are EPA approved cats as good as stock? Last questions should I installed another resonator or just run pipe? Will it be much louder without the resonator?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
#8
So neither the HS or Cattman can be separated (headers/y-pipe combo) So to the original poster, leave the set complete ... because the stock manifolds wont line up with the cattman y-pipe, it will only work with their headers attatched .
If you're worried about longevety, get name brand headers. My advice, on a 3.5L don't waste time or money on a y-pipe, get the headers ... Reason #1, the y-pipe doesn't give as good of gains as headers do, and infact, they give even less gains as they do on a 3.0 meaning the 3.0 benefits more from a y-pipe than even a 3.5L does.
So, take my advice as well as 99.99% of header owners ...
If you're worried about longevety, get name brand headers. My advice, on a 3.5L don't waste time or money on a y-pipe, get the headers ... Reason #1, the y-pipe doesn't give as good of gains as headers do, and infact, they give even less gains as they do on a 3.0 meaning the 3.0 benefits more from a y-pipe than even a 3.5L does.
So, take my advice as well as 99.99% of header owners ...
#9
Originally Posted by irish44j
for the 00-01, the Hotshots are the top ones, from what I've ever seen. No knock on cattman....brian makes great products too. Not sure it's the same for 02-03, but I don't think this guy has HS or cattman anyhow...
#11
Originally Posted by NmexMAX
If you're worried about longevety, get name brand headers. My advice, on a 3.5L don't waste time or money on a y-pipe, get the headers ... Reason #1, the y-pipe doesn't give as good of gains as headers do, and infact, they give even less gains as they do on a 3.0 meaning the 3.0 benefits more from a y-pipe than even a 3.5L does.
So, take my advice as well as 99.99% of header owners ...
So, take my advice as well as 99.99% of header owners ...
#12
I guess I jumped the gun (not too smart) because I thought the headers could be seperated from the Y-Pipe but they are a set so I guess I have no choice now but to install them as a set. I really didn't want to get rid of my precats but I read that as long as the car is warm it will pass emisions. Are headers legal in NY? Do you guys think I'll have problems getting my 02 to pass emissions with headers?
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
#13
Originally Posted by traderfjp
I guess I jumped the gun (not too smart) because I thought the headers could be seperated from the Y-Pipe but they are a set so I guess I have no choice now but to install them as a set. I really didn't want to get rid of my precats but I read that as long as the car is warm it will pass emisions. Are headers legal in NY? Do you guys think I'll have problems getting my 02 to pass emissions with headers?
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
#14
Originally Posted by traderfjp
The headers and Y-pipe are no-name. They look to be a good quality pipe. From the posted advice I'll stick to my original plan and have the Y-pipe installed and sell the headers. I also noticed that the flanges on my cat are very rusted and the resonator (Greddy) is extremly rotted (pre stainless days). Will I be OK with an aftermarket High Flow Cat or should I look for a stock cat? I'm worried about emissions and longevity. Are EPA approved cats as good as stock? Last questions should I installed another resonator or just run pipe? Will it be much louder without the resonator?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=399952
Get a stock cat or high-flow cat... doesn't really matter... just don't think that the high flow will give you a lot of gains.
If you have a GReddy rear section, running pipes with no resonator will be very loud.
#15
Yes I bought the headers on Ebay. I guess I jumped the gun and should have done more homework. I just donated so I can search and there is no way that I'm going to install headers. I do however want the y-pipe. If I can use the y-pipe then all is well. But I was told by a knowledgeable guy that if you buy them as a combo the y-pipe will usually will not fit the stock setup. Do you know for sure if the Ebay Y-pipe can be used without the headers? I guess I'm earning my newbie status here.
#16
Originally Posted by traderfjp
Yes I bought the headers on Ebay. I guess I jumped the gun and should have done more homework. I just donated so I can search and there is no way that I'm going to install headers. I do however want the y-pipe. If I can use the y-pipe then all is well. But I was told by a knowledgeable guy that if you buy them as a combo they usually will not fit. Do you know for sure if the Ebay Y-pipe can be used without the headers? I guess I'm earning my newbie status here.
Why don't ya compare the dimensions with a stock y-pipe... might be able to tell from that....
#17
I'm really mad at myself for not just ordering a y-pipe and being done with it. Now I have to drag this pipe to a junk yard for comparison or sell it to someone who has the time and energy to install headers. Anyway, thanks for the info.
#19
Originally Posted by traderfjp
I'm really mad at myself for not just ordering a y-pipe and being done with it. Now I have to drag this pipe to a junk yard for comparison or sell it to someone who has the time and energy to install headers. Anyway, thanks for the info.
#20
For god sakes why can't someone do a header that has high flow precats like in Mustang GT x-pipes. THis way I don't have to get my ***** busted for legal reasons. You can have that precat section be removeable so people can replace the high flow precats over time if they wear out , or run no precats (it would be like a mini test pipe piece between the manifold and y-pipe) The y-pipe could be configured equal length. If they redid a hotshot header that somehow incorporated high flow precats, we'd probably lose about 3-5 hp over the current version which isn't that bad, I'd buy them.
#24
I was thinking all day...Even if the Y-pipe (from the Ebay headers and Y-pipe)don't match up with my stock manifolds I can modify them to work. I might have to cut and weld one side to get it to fit. This is not a problem. So far I bought a EPA approved high flow cat from Warpspeed in stainless, a B-pipe and stainless pipe to the exhauset from Budget which will mate to my existing Greddy muffler. I have 610.00 without installation which should be under 2 bills. Hopefully I can forget about the exhaust for a very, very long time.
#26
Or do a fed-spec conversion to get the pre-cat on the front manifold out and then you can just stick with your y-pipe....
I say get Hotshot or Cattman headers and call it a day...
I say get Hotshot or Cattman headers and call it a day...
#30
Originally Posted by amomaxima
Okay what are the horror stories about the Cattman Headers as of five minutes ago i was planning on cattman from headers to muffler, whats the deal
#31
Originally Posted by traderfjp
I was wondering how I can tell if my car is setup for California emisions are not?
#32
Originally Posted by Army of Maxima
I'm scared to install a Y-pipe because, from what I understand, you have to remove the pre-cats? I am from Illinois, and they test every other year for emissions...
Btw, there are a ton of .Org guys in IL with headers, y-pipes and they're passing emissions it seems... Stardust, BlackbirdVQ, etc...
#33
Cattman offer very good quality products, I' ve been using Cattman Y-Pipe for almost 3 years now, I never had a single problem, no CEL or anything. Cattman products are well design and specifically made for our cars, the quality of their products is one of the best in the industry. I've been dealing with Brian Catts for many years now and he's a great guy and so the products. I've never heard of any horror story about Cattman and I've been on the org for 4 year +. As for the headers I'm on the waiting list for the next batch of Cattman.
#35
Originally Posted by traderfjp
Just checked in the pouring raing and yes my emissions are Cali. Does this mean I need a special Y-pipe.
#36
Originally Posted by Puppetmaster
Since ALL 2002-2003s are CALI spec, there is no "special" y-pipe for em.... one size fits all...
#38
so i have a question that may be stupid. the cattman headers are theony ones i have been able to find for a 2k. so would the hotshot work even though the 3.5 is what they are designed for. i know this may seem obviouse to others but i have no idea if the exhaust components are the same for a 2k or a 2k2
#40
Puppet's a but so am I ....
Cliff notes :
All 02+ Maximas are CALI spec, and that would require the relocation of 2 O2 sensors, or the use of a simulator. If FED spec, only one needs relocation.
Other options include ...
Y-pipe, so so gains on 3.5L, good gains in 3.0L.
Covert to fed spec (has been done before), but getting headers is probably a better option since you're doing essentially the same thing, but with pre-fabbed components.
Hot Shot( readily available) need some custom work. BlackBIRD had done it as well as a few other members.
Cattman (backorder now)
All 3.0's running in good shape(No CEL,SES etc) will pass emissions with a y-pipe as long as the vehicle is fully warmed up. I'm not sure if this holds true with headers, but see no reason why they shouldn't being that 3.0 FED y-pipes eliminate all pre-cats and only leave one cat in place ( the main one) and the headers do the same, so as long as the main cat stays, you fully warm up car before testing, and you have no CEL's or a SES light, you're good to go. Somebody me if I missed something ..
Cliff notes :
All 02+ Maximas are CALI spec, and that would require the relocation of 2 O2 sensors, or the use of a simulator. If FED spec, only one needs relocation.
Other options include ...
Y-pipe, so so gains on 3.5L, good gains in 3.0L.
Covert to fed spec (has been done before), but getting headers is probably a better option since you're doing essentially the same thing, but with pre-fabbed components.
Hot Shot( readily available) need some custom work. BlackBIRD had done it as well as a few other members.
Cattman (backorder now)
All 3.0's running in good shape(No CEL,SES etc) will pass emissions with a y-pipe as long as the vehicle is fully warmed up. I'm not sure if this holds true with headers, but see no reason why they shouldn't being that 3.0 FED y-pipes eliminate all pre-cats and only leave one cat in place ( the main one) and the headers do the same, so as long as the main cat stays, you fully warm up car before testing, and you have no CEL's or a SES light, you're good to go. Somebody me if I missed something ..