Hey guys I just bought my 03 Maxima VQ35DE 6 speed manual. The acceleration is just horrible, from first gear when i punch it the car just does nothing and then finally kind of picks up after 4,500 rpm. It is almost like its hesitating to pull, and the engine makes a loud air noise wind noise at WOT higher RPM. No CEL codes up, only thing I noticed is whenever im on it i get a foul rotten egg smell coming from the exhaust. Any ideas?

 

Clogged catalytic converter is my guess..

 

I was thinking that as well, but I dunno which one would be clogged it looks like there are 3 cats on this car if im not mistaken? Was thinking to just go ahead and get long tube headers but then I would have to deal with the check engine light.

 

rotten egg smell is a tell tale sign of bad cat. If throwing no codes, my guess is that it's the main cat. It's the only one not monitored.

 

Which one is the main cat?

 

The last one. That one doesn't usually end up clogged. But still there's logic to the thought that if it'ss not monitored it's gotta be the one.

 

the one under the driver's seat.

 

This could also be a failed, or failing MAF sensor. These rarely throw a code. I replaced my MAF on my '01SE after driving the car for about a year not knowing (no SES light) the part was defected. My car was automatic, but the symptom was: hit the gas, RPM's go up, no power through the RPM band until a higher RPM was reached (4000-5000) and then enough power shot through to get into the next gear.

 

^^^^^^ Yes, check your MAF first - clean it, or replace it.