Catalytic converter issue... Relpace or UPGRADE?
#1
Catalytic converter issue... Relpace or UPGRADE?
It seems that my current 03 SE maxima requires a New catalytic converter. Seeing that brand new OEM replacement costs about $170 or more im thinking of getting rid of it altogether.
With that being said, I have 3 options:
1) Buy and OEM one
2) Buy this or something similar:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-03...item563a6bc237
3) Replace my stock Y pipe with cattman Y.
Since i am thinking about modding my car in the future, i am leaning toward option 3, but option 2 is definitely the cheapest. What do you guys think?
will the Cattman Y pipe get rid of my catalytic converter??
Or should i just buy a highflow unit, passes smog in CA?
Thanx
With that being said, I have 3 options:
1) Buy and OEM one
2) Buy this or something similar:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-03...item563a6bc237
3) Replace my stock Y pipe with cattman Y.
Since i am thinking about modding my car in the future, i am leaning toward option 3, but option 2 is definitely the cheapest. What do you guys think?
will the Cattman Y pipe get rid of my catalytic converter??
Or should i just buy a highflow unit, passes smog in CA?
Thanx
#3
4) custommaxima high flow cat "shell" for $50.
http://www.custommaxima.com/product/...r/Default.aspx
http://www.custommaxima.com/product/...r/Default.aspx
#4
4) custommaxima high flow cat "shell" for $50.
http://www.custommaxima.com/product/...r/Default.aspx
http://www.custommaxima.com/product/...r/Default.aspx
#5
How many miles on your max? If you're under 80k, Nissan covers it under their emissions warranty. Although if you want to get rid of it, that's your deal.
Last edited by AEMAXIMA01; 03-11-2010 at 04:51 PM.
#7
Originally Posted by http://www.custommaxima.com
These High-Flow Test pipes eliminate your factory catalytic converter's exhaust air flow restrictions, and allows your engine to run much more efficiently.
#8
This is weird...I had inquired about a high flow cat from an ebay member about 2 weeks ago. In the picture it looked very similar to a normal cat. I just checked at the same listing and now its this weird resonator looking thing but it does say its a cat. A few other listings are shady as far as the description goes. Resonator/cat... FISHY.....
Heres the one I searched out.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33629
Heres the one I searched out.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33629
#9
Those are all just small resonators. Nothing more, nothing less. As you can see, none of them show the INSIDE of these units because they are just that, a resonator/glasspack style inside.
This is a true cat:
See the homeycomb style inside? I highly doubt ANY of these have that catalytic material inside to reduce emissions.
This is a true cat:
See the homeycomb style inside? I highly doubt ANY of these have that catalytic material inside to reduce emissions.
#11
Since the ECU does not monitor the main cat, I'd go with a test pipe or a fake cat. If whatever emissions testing you have involves putting a mirror under the car or looking specifically for the cat, I'd go with a fake one. If all they do is plug into your OBDII port to check for codes, you ought to be fine with a test pipe. The computer only monitors the precats so removing the main cat will not give you an SES light. The precats obviously scrub the exhaust enough on their own that Nissan does not considering monitoring the main cat important for keeping emissions low.
This applies for sure to a 5.5 gen, not 100% sure about a 5th gen.
This applies for sure to a 5.5 gen, not 100% sure about a 5th gen.
#16
I would be willing to bet your car would pass with just the precats alone, which is why Nissan isn't required to monitor the main cat.
#17
How do you know you "need" to replace the catalytic converter? What symptoms are present?
I thought in California there is a law passed in 2009 saying you can only buy catalytic converters from Nissan.
I thought in California there is a law passed in 2009 saying you can only buy catalytic converters from Nissan.
#18
Its basically falling apart...
#20
Yeah, I'm getting the custommaxima cat-back system as soon as I can afford it. I think I'll get their high-flow cat as well.. Looks good, and from what I've heard and my communication so far, Tom (with custommaxima) seems like a pretty good guy who makes a quality product at a good price. I'd stay away from the fishy ebay stuff...
Last edited by jowo9; 03-11-2010 at 10:16 PM.
#21
As soon as i got the car, the 1st place i took the car to is my trusty mechanic (i always do that with my cars prior to driving them). After im getting it back im pretty much getting a brand new car. Car itself had many major problems, but i knew that when i bought it. I will make a thread about it with pics and story once i get it back on monday. He says he can install an oem cat for 150 but i told him to hold on that.
Most likely im picking up the hiflow car from custom maxima and later upgrading to a warp Y leaving my stock catback.
#23
Wait a sec...is the claim of "8-15hp" gains by putting one of these in really true? I'd buy one of these in a second if I got even half that much of a power increase. I don't care at all about having to pass emissions because my city hasn't required any emissions testing at all for years now.
If it makes my Max smell like a 1970 Oldsmobile 442 though that's a deal killer for me. I HATE the old car smell!
If it makes my Max smell like a 1970 Oldsmobile 442 though that's a deal killer for me. I HATE the old car smell!
#25
Yes! Why would you think it'll be a problem? 96 on up are only inspected via the OBD2 port....and even if your state preforms a visual they can't tell and it's not illegal to replace it with an aftermarket unit once the original fails or becomes defective...I'm running Headers/metallic substrate cat/Hybrid SRI/Catback just to name a few on my 2003 Maxima SE A/T TE....Headers/Intake/Cams/Ignition on the 1990 Maxima SE and it just passed the emissions dyno test with flying colors as well as my 86.5 338,000 mi Hardboby P'up which also has headers/cam/ignition/ CAI and it's passed with flying colors in the last 8 yrs+....
#27
#28
If your car or catalytic converter is new, the gains would be minimal, maybe 2-3 hp. However, since most of us are well past 50k miles and a lot of us past 100k miles, there is going to be some blockage in the catalytic converter so odds are you will see some gains along what it being promised.
#29
#30
There are aftermarket cats that are CA approved as OEM replacements. However, as far as the precats are concerned, they are not bolt-on replacements. The required mod involves making a 2" to 4" adapter, which makes the OEM the logical choice. The main cat is much more universal, but bear in mind that in CA the serial# must correspond to an approved replacement, and I know 1st hand that shops are actually verifying serial numbers here in CA.
#31
There are aftermarket cats that are CA approved as OEM replacements. However, as far as the precats are concerned, they are not bolt-on replacements. The required mod involves making a 2" to 4" adapter, which makes the OEM the logical choice. The main cat is much more universal, but bear in mind that in CA the serial# must correspond to an approved replacement, and I know 1st hand that shops are actually verifying serial numbers here in CA.
#32
#33
There are aftermarket cats that are CA approved as OEM replacements. However, as far as the precats are concerned, they are not bolt-on replacements. The required mod involves making a 2" to 4" adapter, which makes the OEM the logical choice. The main cat is much more universal, but bear in mind that in CA the serial# must correspond to an approved replacement, and I know 1st hand that shops are actually verifying serial numbers here in CA.
#35
We really should call South point and ask for DaveB then upon being told sorry say I'll place my $1,000 parts order with the DaveB only.
#36
I replaced my cat with a magnaflow highflow cat from amazon, costed me about 60 and 40 to get it welded in.
OP living in cali you cant go with a test pipe, I hear guys out there have trouble passing with high flow cats.
As far as everyone getting excited over the claimed 12hp gains from custommaxima test pipe
OP living in cali you cant go with a test pipe, I hear guys out there have trouble passing with high flow cats.
As far as everyone getting excited over the claimed 12hp gains from custommaxima test pipe
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