Hey guys I'm in need of some much needed advice. I have a 2003 Maxima GLE with roughly 56k on her. I was shocked to see these parts rusting out so quickly, but thats Nissan. Everything is stock on my exhaust system. As I expected the exhaust is starting to slowly go from front to back. I got it looked at today and the mechanic said I need to replace everything from the Cat-Back and back. Basically what he recommended was replacing the Mufflelor and the entension pipe, since he would be back there replacing the Mufflelor. The shop qouted me at $585 which seems resonable but with that amount of money I'd rather invest in something more than just stock/replacement parts. I've been wanting to do my exhuast and i think now is the time to move away from stock.

I dont want a loud exhuast, nor a ricey sound. I like the sound of the magnoflow muffelor's and I think I'm going to go with the 40 or 60 series. I'd also like to get some custom tips welded on the ends. However I'm not an expert in this area so I want to know what my options are and where to find the best deals on these parts. What would you guys recommend? Please help me b/c my maxima shouldnt be on the road as we speak.

I've been reading this site for many months now and I relaize a lot of this information is on the site. But I really need advice on how to handle this situation. Money is somewhat of an object right now. I am also not looking to buy any of these parts used from the org. Thanks for all the input ahead of time!

 

More like your location.

Just stick with stock because it will be loud if you change the whole catback.

BUY USED. and what's wrong with getting it used from other members?

 

If money is short and you need the car on the road have the shop fix up your exhaust with what they recommend. Keeping the stock muffler is the only way to keep the sound level where it is currently at. Otherwise have them install the magnaflow you think you like and live with it.
Adding a magnaflow muffler and custom tips will only take away from your current cash supply. I would say get it driveable, save up some money and decide exactly what you want.

 

BUY USED. and what's wrong with getting it used from other members?[/quote]

Because I'm a stickler about used parts. Personal Opinion.

 

Because I'm a stickler about used parts. Personal Opinion.[/quote]

 

Money is somewhat of an issue but at 585 bucks I could buy a magnaflow muffler for a cheaper cost. I can also live with the sound from a magnoflow muffler.

 

The point is here i need advice on how to replace the muffler and extension pipe. I'm going to go with the Magnoflow, but where can i purchase that and an extension pipe. $585 is a lot of money to go back to stock.

 

Why can't you just merge your posts?

I would suggest you get something rust-proof like stainless steel. If I were you, I would jump on the megan racing cat-back group deal because they are cheap and they are stainless steel. Then I would go find a Magnaflow 40/60 series. But with this setup, you will probably be annoyed by the noise-level after awhile. I would personally suggest you go with the MR cat-back and stick with a stock muffler to save more money and have a quieter ride.

 

where are you buying the magnaflow muffler from?

 

That doesnt fix my problem. My Cat-back is good upfront. The only things are bad are the Muffler and the entension pipe. Yes the cat-back will evenutally need replacing/rust out but I dont think i want the full cat-back system. Its not to my taste.

 

I'm not sure, I was hoping someone here new where to buy them from.

 

From my understanding, the exhaust order goes... Engine, headers, y-pipe, catalytic converter, resonator, b-pipe, and muffler.
With that said, cat-back is from the catalytic converter and on. The group deal going on for Megan Racing cat-back is $327 shipped. You can buy it and sell the muffler and replace it with the Magnaflow of your choice. I have no clue where you can get a Magnaflow 40/60 series, but average price for Magnaflow mufflers on Ebay is about $90(?).

 

K THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT. The mechanic shop did say that my "head pipe" which I'm assuming are my headers?? Not sure what he meant by that, Regardless my "head pipe" and catalytic converter are fine.

With that being said is it worth getting the MR cat-back here on the org?? Does anyone have any clips of this set-up with the magnaflow muffler. i'm afraid this will be to loud.

 

I bet you it just rusted out right above the rear axle, that's where they all rust out at. Your mechanic was telling you the expensive route which is to replace the muffler, and all the piping before that. My muffler shop simply cut out to two rusted flanges and welded a new piece of pipe between the two for $45 OTD, it took like 20 mins. The muffler was fine along with everything else. Good luck.

 

Headpipe is usually what we call the ypipe! I think it will be cheaper, buying a used Oem catback! Or buying one of those MR! My Cattman exhaust is 4-5 yrs old and still going strong, but maybe to much due 2 your budget! I'm still unclear as to what is rusted on your exhaust. I don't know what an extension pipe is.....

 

Thats exactly where it began rusting right above the rear axle. I'm not 100% sure if the muffler needs replacing but I know that it is rusting out just as bad.

I do think I'm going to go with the MR Cat-back system here on the group deal. I want stainless steel, however I'm hoping it won't be to loud. I'll post up some clips when I get it installed.

Is anyone running the MR cat-back system with a magnaflow muffler?

 

That's exactly what I was going to say! I've encountered this before as well, you can also use a section of slipper pipe with 2 u-clamps, it was about a year ago that I did this for someone and they haven't had any leaks since, it's just that one flange that likes to rot out

 

I am, but I have Cattman headers/y pipe too

 

do you have any video clips of your ride? just curious what it would sound like.

 

do you think any typical exhaust shop would do this? not a repair shop. most places around my location dont tell you the honest truth. if this is an easy fix i might wait for the exhaust system.

 

If you are planning to get an exhaust later on, why not just get it now instead of paying extra labor? Do everything all at once instead of bits and pieces.

 

DOING IT all at once would be expensive. i am able to do the MR cat-back system you had suggested earlier. its a wise upgrade. to replace the entire system, would drain me.

 

yea im going to go with the MR catback myself and a cattman y pipe.....ill probably tackle this after i REPLACE MY FRONT PRECAT WITH an aftermarket one, if i can find enough feedback on it

I say go for the MR catback, then if you dont like the sound, go get a flowmaster muffler there are several sites online that i know of that sell them

check out
http://www.performancepeddler.com/

ive actually ordered stuff from them before and so have other .org members. use a coupon code of MAXIMA for a small discount

im not sure if they have the MR catback or the exact magnaflow, bu tgive em a shot...theyre legit

i ordered my tokico illumina struts from them

 

I just ordered a new muffler and b-pipe for a total of 260.00. A got a marmont OEM style muffler and a maremont b-pipe. The muffler looks just like OEM.

Plus its stainless steel. Muffler shop quoted 200.00 to install......

 

If the new muffler doesn't have one or two moisture drain holes already, using a cobalt bit, drill about a 1/16 to 3/32" dia. hole at the low spot just at the front and rear end cap rolled seams. You'll never replace the muffler again.

 

200 for an install is ****. it should cost no more then 50 bucks

fail.

 

$40 here
cut, bend, weld, and new hangers.

 

seriously what state are you with these inflated prices?

its like a hours work or less for a decent mechanic..

theres no way a mechanic gets paid 200 bucks an hour.

 

word

+1 on that, A few shops around here i know of will make an exhaust system for you if you just buy the muffler, resonator, cat, and flex pipe from them.

Teaner: get a new mechanic the guy you are talking to sounds like he is retarded and taking you for a fool. You could take your car to any hole in the wall exhaust shop and they could fix the flange or just sleeve it and do 2 welds and charge you 20 dollars and you would be done.

 

I had this flange "repaired".

30 dollars and they cut the flange out, rewelded the brackets and "sleeved" the spot. They didnt have SS and told me it was a "temp" fix. That was quite a while ago and its still fine.

My problem is when it DOES rust out, I dont want to put on noiser stuff. Just clean stuff.

 

Sorry! But please take a magnet with you, SS isn't magnetic if this picture is the actual replacement for our OEM, It looks steel that's been aluminized! It looks like a magnet lover, IMO....

 

Got another quote for 147.00 to install. Who in there right mind would waste there time putting a car on a lift for 50.00 bucks. you guys must live in the south somewhere cause 50.00 wont fly in Boston....
Torgus point me in the direct of a muffler shop in Boston that will do it for 50.00

 

The magnet test is bogus.......depending on the "type", CR (stainless) steels can in fact be magnetic.

 

You're absolutely correct...T304 is non-magnetic and the other popular for exhaust use is T-409. T-409 has a higher ferrous content and will form surface rust, rust thru and is magnetic. So what this muffler made out of nonrusting T304 or rust prone T409?

 

my suggestion is to just repair the rusted flange instead of replacing the WHOLE catback exhaust system... then throw on a magnaflow muffler for the sound.. i just had a lengthy discussion with brian catts, and he was telling me that if you go with an aftermarket b-pipe, and magnaflow muffler, than it will probably be louder than what you're looking for... you sound like me with your exhaust sound preference, in not wanting it too loud or raspy.. it keeps it quiet, but still sporty if you keep your stock cat-back and a magnaflow muffler.. i know a 6th gen with a stock catback and 2 magnaflow mufflers, and his car sounds lovely on full throttle.. but you cant even hear it unless he's on it.. i'm probably gonna stick with stock catback and magnaflow muffler when i do mine

to get ideas of what different setups sound like, search on youtube: "magnaflow maxima.." good luck

 

advice is well taken.

Which magnaflow muffler has a deeper growl to it the 40 or 60 seris?

 

Yup... right above the rear axle, that's where they all rust out at. My shop cut out the rusted-out joint and then welded a sleeve of pipe between the two for $40. The whole thing took about 15 minutes and the car is quiet as a church mouse. The muffler was fine; good as new. He also offered to re-weld a hook for me right near the cat for another $20, (they often rust out too!!), but it was still solid.

 

Yup... right above the rear axle, that's where they all rust out at. My shop cut out the rusted-out joint and then welded a sleeve of pipe between the two for $40. The whole thing took about 15 minutes and the car is quiet as a church mouse. The muffler was fine; good as new. He also offered to re-weld a hook for me right near the cat for another $20, (they often rust out too!!), but it was still solid.

 

well, with the magnaflow street series, they call it the 400 series.. any variations in the 400 series are different tip designs, which make no diference in sound.. it's flowmaster that has the different series like 40, 60, 70, etc. that sound different

 

WHICH DO you guys recommend the magnaflow or the flowmaster muffler?