Custom Maxima 2.5" single tip cat-back review
#1
Thread Starter
DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS MEMBER - OWES PEOPLE MONEY
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,468
From: Greensboro, NC
Custom Maxima 2.5" single tip cat-back review
EDIT: To clear up confusion, there is nothing "CUSTOM" about this exhaust. It is made by a company called Custom Maxima. Look at the group deal section or go to custommaxima.com. Just to note, it IS a Tsudo copy... be warned.
Well I bought this because it is very cheap, available, and I needed to quiet my car down. I've been daily driving for the last 8 months with an under-car dump that consisted of 2 14" resonators and a dump at the hanger just before the fuel tank. Needless to say, I got tired of it quickly, even if it did scare old ladies and ricers. Anyway, on to the review.
It came packaged very well, and with all needed hardware. The welds look perfect, and the whole setup looks show quality.
I already had my car jacked up with my other exhaust removed and test pipe installed, and it took me about 30 minutes to install it total.
Fitment is nearly perfect! It does not hit anywhere except for the flange where the B-pipe connects to the small portion that goes to the axleback resting on the gas tank heat shield. I took a hammer to it and it wasn't an issue.
The sound with cattman headers and test pipe is much quieter than I expected, although there is the slightest hint of rasp. I'm guessing it could use a slightly larger resonator or another resonator in line without a cat converter. I'm sure with a cat it would be perfect.
Power-wise, it feels like I de-installed my headers at WOT, but that was expected. 2.5" is just not optimal for a full bolton 3.5.
Here's a sound clip. Camera microphone cuts out up top.
Here's an in-car video with my 300lb camera guy!
Well I bought this because it is very cheap, available, and I needed to quiet my car down. I've been daily driving for the last 8 months with an under-car dump that consisted of 2 14" resonators and a dump at the hanger just before the fuel tank. Needless to say, I got tired of it quickly, even if it did scare old ladies and ricers. Anyway, on to the review.
It came packaged very well, and with all needed hardware. The welds look perfect, and the whole setup looks show quality.
I already had my car jacked up with my other exhaust removed and test pipe installed, and it took me about 30 minutes to install it total.
Fitment is nearly perfect! It does not hit anywhere except for the flange where the B-pipe connects to the small portion that goes to the axleback resting on the gas tank heat shield. I took a hammer to it and it wasn't an issue.
The sound with cattman headers and test pipe is much quieter than I expected, although there is the slightest hint of rasp. I'm guessing it could use a slightly larger resonator or another resonator in line without a cat converter. I'm sure with a cat it would be perfect.
Power-wise, it feels like I de-installed my headers at WOT, but that was expected. 2.5" is just not optimal for a full bolton 3.5.
Here's a sound clip. Camera microphone cuts out up top.
Here's an in-car video with my 300lb camera guy!
Last edited by sparks03max; 02-06-2011 at 07:05 AM.
#2
I hear ya on the turn-downs at the axle, had those on both my Chevelle and Z/28...but then again, V8s sound better loud than V6's do. Looking forward to the pictures and video clips.
#8
I have this exhaust as well (I'm assuming the Greddy Knock off). Since October. I love the sound, how ever lately I've been having tunning issues and such causing it to be extra loud. But once it's sorted I'm sure it will be back to normal
#9
Thread Starter
DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS MEMBER - OWES PEOPLE MONEY
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,468
From: Greensboro, NC
Here's a vid of just revving. The camera is cutting out really bad when I floor it... but you get the idea.
I'm currently uploading another vid we took inside the car that I'll post up here in a few.
On another note, my friend who took the video followed me to my house to put the vids on my computer and said that I shot a solid 2-foot flame after letting off from a 1st gear pull.
#10
Here's a vid of just revving. The camera is cutting out really bad when I floor it... but you get the idea.
I'm currently uploading another vid we took inside the car that I'll post up here in a few.
On another note, my friend who took the video followed me to my house to put the vids on my computer and said that I shot a solid 2-foot flame after letting off from a 1st gear pull.
Jake
#14
Thread Starter
DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS MEMBER - OWES PEOPLE MONEY
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,468
From: Greensboro, NC
Yeah the Kinetix really screams up top lol. The exhaust is still pretty loud (as you can see from the other clip), but it gets drowned out by intake wail inside the car.
Last edited by sparks03max; 12-16-2009 at 11:21 PM.
#15
In all fairness, it can be read as a "Custom" Maxima 2.5", but the brand is "Custom Maxima" and it's their 2.5" Single Tip Catback. Check the GB forum, there's a thread there.
#17
wow...thats soo much louder than my cattman. put the cat back in!
how bad does it drone on the highway?
how bad does it drone on the highway?
Here's a vid of just revving. The camera is cutting out really bad when I floor it... but you get the idea.
I'm currently uploading another vid we took inside the car that I'll post up here in a few.
On another note, my friend who took the video followed me to my house to put the vids on my computer and said that I shot a solid 2-foot flame after letting off from a 1st gear pull.
I'm currently uploading another vid we took inside the car that I'll post up here in a few.
On another note, my friend who took the video followed me to my house to put the vids on my computer and said that I shot a solid 2-foot flame after letting off from a 1st gear pull.
Last edited by HotshotVQ35; 12-16-2009 at 11:53 PM.
#20
#22
Thread Starter
DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS MEMBER - OWES PEOPLE MONEY
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,468
From: Greensboro, NC
It does not have or come with a silencer.
#23
I thought its voulme sounded fine to me I was just talking to that guy that said it was too loud. but I guess I was wrong any ways
#24
Thread Starter
DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS MEMBER - OWES PEOPLE MONEY
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,468
From: Greensboro, NC
Trust me, I'm not going for quiet. I really don't care about how loud it is outside. I'm only worried about my ears that were getting decimated for the last 8 months with the under car dump, so anything that exits at the bumper is fine with me.
#25
The sound from inside the car is much more appealing, when accompanied by the engine/intake noise, and properly revving under load. (Quite the understatement, with a 300 lb passenger. My God.)
There's a mix here: a deep, respectable growl, and a raspy rattle. The first is probably your headers, and the second your muffler. I could live with that exhaust, and enjoy it when playing hard... even though a single-tip muffler is always rice on the 5th gen.
All things considered:
There's a mix here: a deep, respectable growl, and a raspy rattle. The first is probably your headers, and the second your muffler. I could live with that exhaust, and enjoy it when playing hard... even though a single-tip muffler is always rice on the 5th gen.
All things considered:
#26
The sound from inside the car is much more appealing, when accompanied by the engine/intake noise, and properly revving under load. (Quite the understatement, with a 300 lb passenger. My God.)
There's a mix here: a deep, respectable growl, and a raspy rattle. The first is probably your headers, and the second your muffler. I could live with that exhaust, and enjoy it when playing hard... even though a single-tip muffler is always rice on the 5th gen.
All things considered:
There's a mix here: a deep, respectable growl, and a raspy rattle. The first is probably your headers, and the second your muffler. I could live with that exhaust, and enjoy it when playing hard... even though a single-tip muffler is always rice on the 5th gen.
All things considered:
#31
Thread Starter
DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS MEMBER - OWES PEOPLE MONEY
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,468
From: Greensboro, NC
It sounds pretty great in person.
There is no "raspy rattle", either, though. It's only a very tiny amount that's difficult to hear on topend, it is not even detectable on the camera microphone so I'm not sure what you're hearing, rochester.
Just FYI, also... the Headers/Y create all of the high pitched sounds you hear coming from my exhaust and the muffler is what brings the pitch down. You've got it backwards lol. Equal length does funny things to the exhaust note.
I just had a buddy rev my car so I could hear it from outside, and at very topend the sound is intoxicating, very exotic. He described it as an almost whistling noise. I was also able to see flames shoot during the day, lol.
There is no "raspy rattle", either, though. It's only a very tiny amount that's difficult to hear on topend, it is not even detectable on the camera microphone so I'm not sure what you're hearing, rochester.
Just FYI, also... the Headers/Y create all of the high pitched sounds you hear coming from my exhaust and the muffler is what brings the pitch down. You've got it backwards lol. Equal length does funny things to the exhaust note.
I just had a buddy rev my car so I could hear it from outside, and at very topend the sound is intoxicating, very exotic. He described it as an almost whistling noise. I was also able to see flames shoot during the day, lol.
#32
Thread Starter
DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS MEMBER - OWES PEOPLE MONEY
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,468
From: Greensboro, NC
The sound from inside the car is much more appealing, when accompanied by the engine/intake noise, and properly revving under load. (Quite the understatement, with a 300 lb passenger. My God.)
There's a mix here: a deep, respectable growl, and a raspy rattle. The first is probably your headers, and the second your muffler. I could live with that exhaust, and enjoy it when playing hard... even though a single-tip muffler is always rice on the 5th gen.
All things considered:
There's a mix here: a deep, respectable growl, and a raspy rattle. The first is probably your headers, and the second your muffler. I could live with that exhaust, and enjoy it when playing hard... even though a single-tip muffler is always rice on the 5th gen.
All things considered:
With the equal Y, it gets MUCH higher pitched.
#33
Actually, after reading your mod list... I see why you are mistaking the exhaust note for a raspy rattle. The cattman Y-pipe is not equal length, and your exhaust note will be much different/deeper than mine no matter the muffler.
With the equal Y, it gets MUCH higher pitched.
With the equal Y, it gets MUCH higher pitched.
The only video/audio clip I ever heard of a parked Maxima that sounded undeniably sweet, was the 3" cattman exhaust. Usually, clips of a parked car revving hard are kind of pointless. Your in-the-car vid, however, that made me smile.
#34
did you notice that much of a difference? i could barely hear my exhaust when i had the cattman y and c/b. it was slightly deeper than stock, but not that much. you know how it goes..opinions are like a$$holes..everyones got one
edit..and sparks..i give props for street driving on your old setup..i heard your track vids... sounded bad azz!
edit..and sparks..i give props for street driving on your old setup..i heard your track vids... sounded bad azz!
#35
Thread Starter
DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS MEMBER - OWES PEOPLE MONEY
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,468
From: Greensboro, NC
Ah, got it. I was listening to your vids again, confused, when I came back and read this update. Yes, my exhaust got pleasantly deep after installing Catt's y-pipe; which, as you point out, is an unequal length collector.
The only video/audio clip I ever heard of a parked Maxima that sounded undeniably sweet, was the 3" cattman exhaust. Usually, clips of a parked car revving hard are kind of pointless. Your in-the-car vid, however, that made me smile.
The only video/audio clip I ever heard of a parked Maxima that sounded undeniably sweet, was the 3" cattman exhaust. Usually, clips of a parked car revving hard are kind of pointless. Your in-the-car vid, however, that made me smile.
It's also hard to get a proper sound clip of a parked car revving because the camera is always too close. I should have had him stand 20 feet away and it would have sounded way more like what you hear when actually standing by the car.
Yeah I love how it sounds in car now! Man I couldn't hear my intake over the exhaust until i put this 2.5" on and the Kinetix makes some amazing sounds. It just keeps getting louder and louder..
Next things for power mods (after powdercoating wheels and new clutch) is cams, HR valvesprings, rod bolts, and revup oil pump so I can rev up to 7600-8000 depending on the powerband with this IM and what cams I choose. It's going to sound amazing revving that high!
#36
Thread Starter
DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS MEMBER - OWES PEOPLE MONEY
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,468
From: Greensboro, NC
#37
Most of my modifications were added incrementally year over year: intake, cat-back, y-pipe, spacers & crank pulley, etc. So I had a full year in between mods to be sensitive to the new normal.
This is all OT, to answer your question. Sorry, Sparks. You clearly know your crap, and I don't mean to muddle it up with daily-driver opinions.
#38
Thread Starter
DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS MEMBER - OWES PEOPLE MONEY
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,468
From: Greensboro, NC
At the time, yes. And in listening to this video, yes.
Most of my modifications were added incrementally year over year: intake, cat-back, y-pipe, spacers & crank pulley, etc. So I had a full year in between mods to be sensitive to the new normal.
This is all OT, to answer your question. Sorry, Sparks. You clearly know your crap, and I don't mean to muddle it up with daily-driver opinions.
Most of my modifications were added incrementally year over year: intake, cat-back, y-pipe, spacers & crank pulley, etc. So I had a full year in between mods to be sensitive to the new normal.
This is all OT, to answer your question. Sorry, Sparks. You clearly know your crap, and I don't mean to muddle it up with daily-driver opinions.
#39
Disagree. IMO, it can look nice when tastefully done. Not all single-tips are melon shooters. If I do get this system, I will be replacing the muffler with a World Sport 2 universal.
#40
Thread Starter
DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS MEMBER - OWES PEOPLE MONEY
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,468
From: Greensboro, NC
Plus, if people DO think I'm just a random ricer, it's just all the more surprise