Slamrod

iTrader: (11)

Really dont want to beat this dead horse anymore than its been beaten already but I got some questions that need answering lol. Im on the market for a 3 inch catback. Right now Im looking at 2 options:

1) custom built catback.
http://www.trubendz.com/products/00-...stainless.html
https://www.magnaflow.com/products?partNumber=12641
https://www.magnaflow.com/products?partNumber=13288
3 inch SS piping, a 6x30'' resonator, 3 inch inlet/2.5 dual outlet muffler. Looking at a little under $500 without muffler tips. I have no idea what it would cost for a shop to put something like this together and have it fit nice and cozy on my car, but id imagine (based on literally nothing ) at the end of the day Id be looking at somewhere around 800$ at least for a finished product.

2)BRM 3 inch
http://www.brmexhaust.com/ProductDet...e=A33%2DMAXIMA
SS, dual tip, (540$ with no res) but as for the resonator.....

Im VERY much interested in making a "big bertha carltonator" style setup. Im aware that those were made back in the day using cattmans but BRM is more or less the same ballpark as far as performance is concerned. What I am not at all interested in is having my car be obnoxiously loud, which from what I understand any """stock""" 3'' catback with headers will be. Im going to try and get in touch with greg childs (owner of BRM) and see if he would be willing to make one custom using the 6x30 magnaflow resonator linked up above in lieu of the first section of the b-pipe where his 14inch resonator would go. His reasoning for only offering a 14' res on his 3'' catback is that MF doesnt make the larger resonators, which isnt true at least not anymore. Failing that, Id simply buy his exhaust without a res and have a shop weld it on. With the MF 6x30 res this setup would be ~$650 before any labor costs.


To me, going the BRM route seems both easier and cheaper for what Im looking to accomplish. However I could use some clarification, so heres my questions:

The "big bertha" carltonator (using a 6x30 res) - would anyone see a problem using this in conjuction with a BRM 3'' exhaust? I know its a tight fit but its been done with what i believe were cattman 3" (https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...gnaflow-4.html , see post #135 - OF COURSE photobucket has to sht the bed on the final pic). I think its doable, any comments on this?

A more retarded question now - Ill be using cattman headers, and probably a 3" test pipe since I dont get visual inspections and tricking the o2 sensors is a total joke. IIRC the Ypipe for those are 2.5'' - how does this mate up to a 3'' test pipe/catback? Is it really simple as it sounds and im just being a dumby over thinking it? Or do I need some sort of special flanges/reducer piping?

Another Q - Does anyone know the inlet/outlet size of the BRM's muffler? Cant seem to find any info on their website and all I found here by searching was Mr. Cattmann saying something about it not being a 3'' inlet.

Finally - its 2018, we're all getting old and so are our cars. Any members who have experience with 3'' exhausts and all this fun cartonator stuff still floating around to give opinions on how its fared over the years?? One of my main concerns is having the 6" resonator scrape, considering how horrific the roads are around here. However, my max is modestly lowered, and from what I read only people who are going for the noticeably low look had problems. Thoughts?

I know im kinda jumping around here a lot on this topic lol. Hope this all makes sense. As always - thanks.

krismax

iTrader: (15)

I went with this can get it for around $300-340 shipped complete OD is around 2.5. SS complete . You don't need the 3 inch .

Just measured ID it's a hair over 2.25

https://www.ebay.com/itm/CATBACK-EXH...item1e775d0eaa

Slamrod

iTrader: (11)

Im pretty much sold on getting a 3''. Im aware that its total overkill and pointless for the VQ30s but from what I've read there are solid gains to be had with the VQ35. Especially with full bolts ons (NWP TB, 4'' intake, 560cc injectors). I was heavily considering a 2.5'' catback system but with all the mods I plan on doing it seems that a 3 inch exhaust will net me more powah.

freezer

What did you end up doing? I'm just installing Cattman headers on my 5.7 swap now and will be looking to do the exhaust system. Though, I'll probably do aluminized rather than stainless to save some coin.

TallTom

Spend the money and get SS. You'll burn through aluminized system in 1-2 years with the northern climate & salt/corrosion.

Prophecy99

iTrader: (1)

yeap, save some coin up front, spend double coin later !!

ahh the beauty in short term outlooks.

freezer

Well, the stock system has so far only suffered a failure of the welded flange over the rear axle. My Titan had the same failure and my next door neighbor who runs an exhaust shop says those welds in particular are prone to failure. So it would appear that after 15 years the aluminized is holding up pretty good.

Prophecy99

iTrader: (1)

oem exhaust is not the same as aftermarket ! can't compare

https://www.yourmechanic.com/article...stem-made-from

freezer

I was going off of BRMs page which gives conflicting info when compared to the link you provided regarding what most OEMs use. http://www.brmexhaust.com/category-s/1821.htm

BRMs adder for stainless isn't bad, if I end up buying their system I'd likely go stainless, but when I was pricing out some mandrels readily available up north of the border, the cost difference was much more significant.

I wonder what our stock system is actually made of

Prophecy99

iTrader: (1)

yea i tried to look it up, but i am thinking its not cheap aftermarket aluminumized crap....

i agree w u, oem systems last a while even in snow /salt climates . i forget when i first had to replace my original exhaust components but it was def after 6-7 years.

Quickywd01

iTrader: (16)

http://www.mandrelexhaustsystems.com...ng-system.html Paint it with ceramic or get it coated if you have funds. 3" FTW http://www.vhtpaint.com/high-heat/vh...eproof-coating

krest265

i had that same resonator and to me it killed the whole sound until i was above 4k then it opened up a little more, especially with a muffler. if possible go with a 4x24inch resonator, no scraping and with a nice muffler sounds amazing with no drone 😎 unless ultra quite is your thing i think the 6x30 is overkill

colt149

iTrader: (1)

My setup : 1. gutted precat with O2 nonfouler>
2. cattman 2.5 y pipe>
3. 240SX Silvia S12 S14 S15 SR20DE 3 inch test pipe (bought in ebay)
4. 3 inch Cattman Exhaust Catback System

I will replaced the Original Cattman resonator with Magnaflow 12649 to tame the beast.

Test pipe : lessen the drone
With Main Cat : the drone is annoying.

maximatech12

Im lining up a new muffler on this 2001 A/T for 2019.
Basically its stock from 2001 so im going to remove then replace and re-seal.

The original looks fine but could it be rusted bad on the inside?
after shutting the car off in colder weather condensation could build up on the inside and puddle up causing inner corrosion. So it could rust from the inside out right?

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

Hi there! First of all the Resonator I built wasn't 6" x 30" it was 6" x 18" utilizing a Magnaflow resonator P/n: 12649 which allow you to keep the strengthening brace installed under the chassis...The next important thing is to run the biggest muffler that'll fit a 5" x 11" oval muffler either p/n:12580,12586, 12588 or 12590...I would go with the TruBenz 3" SS setup if I were you...The BRM exhaust is hella loud due to it's small 14" rear muffler and small resonator!
I run Cattman Headers along with the Cattman Hybrid 3" catback and you would never know I had headers nor a 3" exhaust!
I teamed up with TruBenz to build the 3rd and 4th Gen Catback exhaust years ago when we had no options and It's an easy kit to install and well built! You just need to mock install, mark everything and take it to a welder or muffler shop and let them tack weld everything then test fit it and return to have it permanently welded if you aren't capable of welding!
I love my 2.5" TruBenz on both my 3rd and 4th Gen Maximas...Great highway and street behavior...It's all about installing the largest rear muffler you can! GoodLuck
Here's my 5.5th gen with Cattman headers and 3" Cattman hybrid Catback exhaust, ***I corrected the Installed Muffler Sizes for the rear Muffler position** :

freezer

Thanks CMax03! I hadn't come across TruBendz or much talk of them and that's really the components I wanted. I've got the bends ordered and now it is just a matter of making the sound I want.

I am going to try fabbing something like Motordyne's Helmholtz resonator for my 5th gen application. If it's too noisy I can start adding in line resonators/mufflers.

Prophecy99

iTrader: (1)

so perfect brother ! nice

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

Just remember that 14" rear Mufflers are too small....I installed 5" x 11" x 22" on both the 3rd/4th Gen and they're roughly the same size as the OEM and Cattman rear muffler assy....2.5"/22.5" dual tip p/n:12580, 3.0"/2.5" dual tip p/n:12588, 2.5"/2.5" dual tip p/n: 12586, & 3.0"/3.0" dual tip p/n:12590...