I was under my car the other day checking out the rear suspension (see other thread for the "why") when I noticed something peculiar about where the exhaust mounts just before it makes its first 90 degree bend around the gas tank. The pipe is pinched right where the mounting bracket is. It seems it would create significant back pressure at higher revs.

Is this a design feature, or is it another thing I need to bring up with the dealer? The car seems to drive OK - might be by design for ease in producibility at the factory or gives backpressure for better low end torque at the slight expense of some high end power.

What does your Maxima SE or AE's exhaust look like in that area?

Thanks.

 

It's normal. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a design feature, however.

 

All 5th gens have that crush unfortunately...
It REALLY hurts the exhaust flow too...
especially for SC'ed cars like mine...
i should pick up big power w/ a catback...
even a N/A car would see a huge increase i'm sure...

 

Interestingly, not as much as you might think. Most catback systems are only good for about 5-8 hp in NA Maximas.