the only reason i like the 3.0 is cuase you can go FI on it. but on everything else the 3.5 rules.

 

You can go FI on a 3.5 also.

A stillen SC kit would fit nicely on my engine.

 

for the 3.5 swap! that 3.0 timing cover makes for a nice V1 mount

 

any other 02-03 max have this prob? i'm installing mine tomorrow

 

ok you can but i cant.

 

You WILL have the problem, so read the thread and follow the steps and procedures that me and blackbirdvq did. No matter what the 02 sensor is going to hit the ac compressor. Just read the thread.

 

ummm i believe he said 02-03 max's, which in turn do not have the problem, so he doesnt have to worry about it

 

Looks like the 1st batch of HS headers looks a bit diff than the latest one so there MIGHT be a problem with the 02 sensor hitting the AC compressor. I know for a fact that MY HS headers will clear the compressor on a 3.5L, yet on a 3.0L they will not due to diff compressor. I have one of the 1st sets of HS headers from the 1st batch, I bought them JWT for 529 shipped- they had them laying there for a long time.

 

If the headers are being installed on a 02-03, the o2 sensor will not hit the AC compressor with the Hotshots.

 

sweet, going to install them in about 2 hrs, when my lazy *** friend gets up

 

I am concerned with this front main O2 sensor and the clearance with the A/C compressor on the 3.5 liter maximas.

On the one hand Starchild insists that it will "NOT Clear", as he had the installer relocate the bung on his install. On the other, whazzzzup also recently installed these and he says that "on a 02-03, the o2 sensor will "NOT HIT" the AC compressor with the Hotshots"

Which do you guys think is correct? I am assuming that based on Blackbirds comments that the older Hotshots may have had this A/C issue on the 3.0's but he says they do fit the 3.5 fine. Perhaps the placement of this front bung is different on their newer version as to cure this problem?

I am also going to be installing these also but I still have to wait a few more days for them to get here. Having them in my hands in front of the car it will be much easier to eyeball if there will be an issue but I would sure like to know if I am going to be needing some welding done. Heck if I have to relocate the front to the collector like upstatemax did, I may as well do the rear the same way and be confident the ECU will be getting good readings. But I am sure as heck am not going to move the bungs if they fit "as is".

Any help would be great.

 

First off there not made for the 3.0 thats why theres "issues". They fit and 3.5 perfect no mods are needed. Why do all these people make confusing posts regarding these issues? simple, if you have a 3.0 you most likely WILL have to relocate the front O2 sensor. If you have a 3.5 you will NOT as thats what these headers are made for.

-Ryan

 

Do you have a set of these headers on a 3.5 or have you personally seen a set on the 3.5 installed to vouch for this statement? I am not trying to attack your statement but your sig says you own a 97 so that's why I am asking. I don't want to be halfway through my install at my home on a Saturday and not be able to get these finished, you know what I mean.
Thanks,
David.

 

he doesn't need to own one to make that statement....there are members who installed them on the 3.5s and have no problems....

 

There is still about an inch of clearance from the end of the o2 sensor and the A/C compressor. I just looked.

 

There is clearance on the 3.5L due to a smaller compressor and diff bracket- I belive the compressor bolts right up to the block- where on a 3.0L the compressor is little longer and has a large bracket holding it onto the block. I need to look for a pic of my headers installed with the 02 shown hitting the compressor/pipe, but I don't think I have one.

 

Thanks whazzzzup. Its good to hear from someone who actually has these Latest Hotshot Versions, installed on Their 3.5 Max, Recently, to clear this up.

 

Brian,

I just had my system (headers, cat-back and high-flow cat) installed this past Thursday at Jeff's shop (MaximumTuning), so you might want to reach out to him. My set-up was the first he's seen with the Cali-spec O2's - he said every other one he's done only had the single port. The only suggestion I could make to you would be to include (or offer) drain plugs to fill those holes, for those installing a simulator.

As far as I could determine, Jeff didn't run into a single problem with the install that had to do with your product. My car was missing a muffler hanger, but that was the fault of the shop that welded in my Powertech 2 years ago. Your stuff went on beautifully.

For everyone else, I bought new exhaust manifold gaskets so as not to re-use the old ones, spent a fortune ($15 each) on the Nismo hangers, and bought the O2 simulator from www.o2sim.com. The simulator seems to work perfectly - 500 miles since Thursday, and no CEL. The hangers were worth every penny. I've read about others who have had to fix problems with their exhausts banging around under the car. I haven't heard a single sound out of mine that it wasn't designed to make.

Brian, the parts were well worth the wait, and the price. And, like rbrown81 before me, I highly endorse Jeff for any work - he's not cheap, but he knows his stuff, and does excellent work.

 

So, you ream Cattman for his 1st batch of headers, from his new supplier, but your HS headers might have had a problem with the O2 sensor bung location?

Now, you're seeing that the current HS headers are different from the 1st gen HS headers...?

Sounds to me like the exact same issue that Cattman had with his 1st gen headers and corrected: Small changes made to perfect a product when little tweaks needed to be made in real world situations.

Hmmm.....

 

Jeff = Teh r0xxorz!

He installed mine too, had to weld a washer onto the b pipe hanger, but apart from that it was sweet! I wish he was closer... so It wouldnt be so tough to get up and see him.

 

All I can say is this:

I've helped out Brian a few times with his products and I also personally know 3 of his suppliers: His supplier for his new headers, his supplier for his exhaust systems, and his supplier for the 02-03 Short throw shifter he sells.

All 3 of these suppliers are top notch fabricators/manufacturers. I've seen the work that these people do first hand - I've seen the prototypes of the headers, the STS and the (near future) 3" catback exhaust system.

Brian selects the absolute best people out there to manufacturer his products - After all, he puts his name is on, and behind, everything he sells.

For blackbird to come on here and scream bloody murder about the fitment of the 1st set, of a new header design, from a new supplier, is in my opinion, out of line.

Anyone who's ever dealt with Brian or purchased his goods, knows that he is a stand-up guy, who will go to great lengths to keep his customers happy.

The fitment issue with the headers could have been handled in a much more professional manner. If blackbird had these problems, then he should have contacted Cattman directly to resolve them, instead of posting a derogatory message on the forum. I'm sure Brian would have worked with you to resolve the problem and ensure that all future production headers had been corrected.

After all, you weren't dealing with $tealin, who would have told you that you were wrong, and it must have been something you did, and then told you to prove that the fitment was off by standing on your head, while taking pictures of the fitment, while the car is in motion.

In that situation, I would agree that you (or anyone else) should have screamed from the rooftops about the problem (see the Mother of all Stillen Headers thread), but as you can see by Brian's willingness to come on the board, admit that there was a production glitch, inform everyone that it's been resolved, and not badmouth HS or blackbird, this is just more proof that he is 100% behind his products and will make everything right.

Oh, and I'm not a paid endorser of Cattman Performance - I've paid for every Cattman product I own.

 

So why did mines hit? And I have a 2002........

 

so i was lucky enough to get to sd yesterday and get a free install by cattman's fabricator's. I can't honestly say how the install went because i was only able to watch a few hours. However, from the little i did get to observe, and from what they told me, the hardest part about the install was just getting my old crap off. fitment issues were not existent, and the car pulls like a freakin' beast now.

thanks a lot cattman!

2k2SE 6spd.

 

so you're the lucky one. bastage, i wanted to do it but now's a little too early.

 

Im glad you got the chance thanks to my misfortune!!! Im especially glad it work out for Brian as well. Let us know how this thing is working out. Brian, can you keep us updated on any install issues that Tim might have had, thanks again for your time and efforts that you put forward for people like me and willkim.

 

hmm i think cattmann won me over on this thread...ive read every post and this january im planning on buying the cattman headers for my 00

 

You'll be the 1st that I know of.

 

I just installed the Gen2 headers on a 02 max last week. It wasnt bad. the only problem i really had was getting the heatshields off the stock headers so i could take the bolts out. But, I would definately not recommend doing this install in your driveway, a Lift is A HUGE HELP!!!!

 

I did the Install.

 

I did the install also, few header installs in the past. And since this wasn't MY car NOR did I pay for the headers or wanted any $$$ for the install other than some beer- I was NOT going to call Cattman to talk bout his poor fitment. Basically if Brian is to attack me for having installed these headers wrong, then he can go pound sand. Hes the one who admitted to having too small of stud hole drilled out in the header flange. I have ALWAYS installed HotShot headers on ALL my Nissans, and I never had a problem with them. My HS headers 02 sensor DID hit the AC compressor line- BUT in their deffense, this woudln't be a problem on a 3.5L where the compressor is different- AND HS headers ARE designed for a 3.5L not a 3.0L. Other than that small 02 sensor hickup I had NO problems installing these.

So if I got the headers ON the car finally, and Ypipe bolted up to the manifold flanges right up with no issues- why does it STILL rub on the floor eh ?


I work as a mechanic for a living, header install on a Maxima is one of the eassier job I can perform given even a garage floor and hand tools. We installed the headers in a garage on jack stands (couldn't my shop as we needed cool down time, since he drove 240 miles for the install) and I didn't bring my drill out to enlarge the holes. I am very sorry that I didn't bring out my drill, but properly designed and TESTED products do NOT need alterations to make them fit. Brian has told Eric that he shoulda had a professional do his header install, so how come Brian can't install his own ? This is why I kept quiet throught the whole thread lately, personall attacks from Brian towards me is what got me to come out and speak up.

 

I have a set already ordered, and I'm close to the top of the wait list. I'm extremely excited about these headers and I also support Brian Catts in anything he does, his products are top notch and he personally takes the time to answer every single one of my questions. On a side note, I also ordered a set of ES motor mounts to help protect the flex section of the headers.
I will be posting before and after dyno results as well. I have my run files from my last dyno and the only change on the next one will be the replacement of my Cattman y-pipe with the gen 2 Catman headers.

 

I wasn't being a smarta.s.s I was giving props ...

For power production, I think Cattman (no matter what gen) seem to put more power ... at least on the intraweb dyno.

 

are you getting 99-01 cattman headers or 02-03 gen2 headers? seems like you're getting gen2's... just out of curiousity, why not the 99-01 for your application???

unless i'm totally wrong.

 

you tell him!!!!!

$800+ it better fit.

 

So much do you charge to do another?

 

there is no such thing as a 99-01 cattman header...it's all 95-03 either gen 1 or 2

 

Didn't think that you were bro, guess my sense of humor is a little off, my bad.

You are a little wrong. Like Steven88 said, it's either gen 1 or gen 2, and gen 2's are the new and improved version.

 

you have to call my shop and ask tim how much install cost would be for you. I dont know the rate.

I didnt have any of these issues except for the rear header had 2 holes that needed to be drilled out. but after we realised this, we made adjustments to all the flanges we still had so that this wont be a problem. part of the trick to getting thise on with few issues is to bolt up the headers themselves first (dont torque them down yet, leave some play in the header to head). after that, bolt up the Y-pipe to the cat, then the front header to the y, then the rear header. all this time, NEVER tightening down the bolts to anything. once you have all the bolts and nuts started to where they got decent threading, torque them down. when you do this, you should be all good. when i did this install, i was never told until later in the day it was a test fitting for the 5th gens. some issues came up, but the main problem was just the header holes. but i would NEVER want to do this install on the ground using floor jacks

 

do the mounts at the same time since you have to take the crossmember off

 

Well I wasn't prepared for the hole problem as NO one has posted anything bout it till the day we where doing Erics headers. So if I knew ahead of time, we would have enlarged the holes before the install, and I didn't bring my drill out for the install as I never had this problem with HS headers.

When I install my headers, I leave everything loose till everything is up and then start to torque down the bolts tight- with headers not fitting right leaving them loose is NOT possible at all. Once they are on the studs there is NO moving them around to be had. My install was done correctly, and did you lenghten the primary O2 sensor wires ? Cattman seems to think that you do not need to do this in order to make the O2s work... which is NOT possible. You need to lenghten the wires on a 3.5L or the sensor will not reach the O2 bung. All in all, I won't do any more installs of Cattman headers, simply because Brian says I am not a professional, and that they don't fit correctly.