I just got my 7th maxima. It's a 2002 SE 6spd HLSD with 100000 miles.

I plan to get a headers kit installed to remove the pre-cats (the 63 years old original owner drove it like a granny and fueled on regular gas, these cats aren't in good shape, im pretty sure.)

I've been searching a lot on the market for a good set in good shape (new if needed) but I found nothing new in a box. OBX, hotshot, Cattman...nowhere to be found.

What can you guys do to help me?

Warpspeed is about to get their y-pipe built and stocked, ready to ship.
BRM got their 3 inch catback ready to ship.

I'm only missing the headers.

 

If anyone has a good condition set for sale, chime in.

 

http://www.sparktecmotorsports.com/h11389s.html That's where I got mine from earlier this year. They are in stock as far as I know.

 

Thanks for the quick reply, i'm waiting for the confirmation if they have'em in stock, then I'm going to order right after. Thanks!!

 

Hot Shot and Cattman are no longer in business. I doubt you'll find any unused ones floating around.

The headers should come with a y-pipe so don't jump the gun and get one yet.

 

sparktec is out of stock.

 

Obx?

 

manzo? i think you can find on ebay

 

they dont make any for 5.5th gens.
I'll be willing to buy a used set in good condition.

 

Just a quick little note here.
Any headers will work from 4th gens as well. There are SLIGHT changes, such as added rear O2 sensors and you'll need to block off the EGR port. Not really that big of a deal to be honest. I am running with ported out cast 4th gen manifolds and a Budget Y pipe from a 4th gen as well.
I wouldn't purchase anything from ebay though just a disaster waiting to happen. Just wait for the OBX's to come back in stock OR GUT your precats and get a performance Y because you get about the same out of both.

 

I have at home a set of 4th gen manifolds with EGR plugged, a 4th gen budget y-pipe also.

I also have an Altima headers set but I know they need to be modified to fit properly. I will look into 4th gen obx headers as well, thanks for mentioning.

 

It seems as hard to find new than a 5.5th gen set. The first I find in stock, I buy them directly.

 

gut the precats and move on....

 

https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...ket-parts.html

I've had 4th gen headers on my 5.5 gen for about 11 years and 120k miles.

 

the set mentioned above is sold. Been three years I left the maxima world, got back into it because I needed a 4 door car but the most I search, the most I see there's a serious shortage of new in boxes performance parts.

 

weird question but still interesting: do 4th gen catback fit on a 5th gen? the two floorpan looks identical to me.

 

In short, no. https://maxima.org/forums/4th-genera...t-cattman.html

Rear axle seems to be the issue, this thread linked is opposite of the question, but I think it applies.

 

thanks nmexmax. it cleared out the doubts. I contacted BRM and Warpspeed for the portions of the exhaust I can change easily. After counting, I might RMT the **** out my car. I have 550cc, found a utec for 350$ and I have a nice turbo for that application at home for that. I promised the wife that I wont start a modding spree on the new max, the devil on my shoulder won finally...

 

Another question:
I have a set of oem 4th gen exhaust manifold and a budget y-pipe. Would I benefit installing these over stock 100000miles oem 5.5th gen exh manifold with pre-cats?

I fear melting these becausr I drive the car pretty hard. the first owner eas a 64years old lady that granny driven the car.

your thoughts?

 

That would probably help. The problem with the 3.5 manifolds is that one of them is very restrictive. In the pictures you can see the one on the right combines the three runners and forces them through a very small hole. The hole is about the same size as just one of the exhaust ports. No matter what you do with the rest of the exhaust, you'll never overcome that. This is one reason why the 3.5 responds better to headers than the 3.0 cars.

I don't see any reason why the 3.0 manifolds would burn out.

 

wow, now thats convincing. Whole lotta thanks men!

 

I'll sell mine before winter comes but I need oem exhaust stuff to put in its place!

Canada member

 

so gutting precats on a 3.5 isnt as performance gaining as one would think?

 

I have both manifolds (pictured) and the front precat still in good shape. I sold the rear precat a few years ago. I took these off at about 80,000 miles.
I have the heat shielding too.

 

I don't know. I've never seen a before and after dyno and I doubt the difference would be enough to register on the butt dyno.

I do know that an exhaust system is only as big as it's tightest restriction.

I like the idea of replacing the stock manifolds with 3.0 manifolds (if they fit) and eliminating the precats all together with a Y-pipe. Probably the best option short of headers. I haven't done this so I don't know how everything would fit.

You could also replace just the front manifold (the restrictive one) and gut the rear precat. This would probably require a custom or modified Y-pipe though.

 

The 3L OEM exhaust manifolds bolt right up to the 3.5. As I said before just plug the EGR port and be done with it. The budget Y has 1.5" collectors merging to a 2.5 out to the oem cat. It's a pretty decent setup to be honest, probably JUST as comparable to headers maybe off a touch or two but worth it.
I port matched my 3l manifolds, both in the runners and the outlet. Went to town with a die grinder worked very well, 50000Kms since install no issues EXCEPT the stupid flex pipe.

 

Performance is not my first criteria for removing these precats, I just dont want to melt them and getting **** aspirated inside the cylinders, scarring them and developping oil consumption trouble, or at least aggraving it (like QR25 altimas...)

Nmexmax has 4th gen obx headers on his 03 A33B, so I assume the fitment dimension wise is good. I already have oem 4th gen manifold at home with a budget Y-pipe in good shape.

So I remove the precats/manifolds altogether (a hell of a job it seems...), get at least minimal improvements in exhaust flow, selling my old precats to the cat guy that comes twice a month at my shop for 160$.

I can't justify buying old/used cattman headers for 700/800$ (dont forget my el cheapo canadian money worth 30% less these days) I paid my BRM catback 490$/642$ canadian $$ monday, ish.

I found brand new 4th gen OBX headers for around 500$can but after reading several threads on severe fitment issues, I dont want to deal with that either. Get your parts build right or just dont build them, you know.

 

I like that!
Hey, I'm from Montreal, maybe we could meet sometime and enjoy a good beer at Brasseur du temps in Gatineau

 

I don't drink, and I try not to drive in Quebec. Loud exhaust, High tint, Lowered car, Expired tags. That'd be quite the fine. In Ontario the most they could do is 65 dollar 72 hour fine for the tag. Then I'd go do an e-test, But I refuse to do it. I know I'd pass as its just a money grab BS scheme some Conservative A-hole cooked up, who will remain nameless. (Mike "the Dyke" Harris)

 

thanks for the input, i had my hopes up for a few more ponies, but this may not be the case.

 

You could probably scavenge some 3.0 manifolds from a U-pull it yard and get an aftermarket 3.0 Y-pipe. You could sell the precats to offset the cost.

 

Sorry to necro an old thread but i was hoping to get some info from @Brudface and @VQ'ed regarding 4th gen manifolds on a 5.5 gen. Im gonna be getting a 5.5 gen here sometime soon and im looking for a solution to removing the precats. Of all the research ive done it seems to me that the 4th gen manifolds + y pipe might be the best move. My 2 main concerns are fitment issues and the O2 sensors, will they need to be relocated at all etc. Any feedback with knowledge/info would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

edit: @NmexMAX i saw you said you ran this setup as well

 

If you're not going for performance, then just gut the stock ones (unless you don't want to deal with the rust and snap all the bolts off lol). The only difference should be EGR, iirc.

If you want headers, then contact Thomas Perdue on facebook. You can send him altima headers and he'll fab it for 5.5. Price is very reasonable from what I remember.

 

thanks for the input! Yea im not as concerned about performance as i am getting rid of the precats, but it would be nice lol. i have seen him in the FB group and people say he is the go to guy for Y Pipes. I was concerned about the fitment of Altima headers which is why i didnt mention going that route initially.

edit: not even sure which brand of Altima headers to go for etc (manzo?)

 

I was just going to say to get ahold of him. Yeah he’ll hook you up.

 

Yes, Manzo.

 

nice to see you around dude =)

 

Thanks for the input, looks like ill try out the Altima headers and hit him up for a custom Y Pipe then.

 

Plenty of headers out there...

 

5.5gen OBX headers are still for sale on eBay.