OKay, I am confused what is the correct way to put the random cat on. Should the heat shield be facing up or down? Or it doesn't matter at all!

Thanks

 

I believe the heat shield should be on top shiedling the floor pan.

 

I just installed mines today and thats how I have mines installed..

 

But how come the factory Cat has heat shield facing down? What's the deal?

 

You got a cat from the Pathfinder, complete with a skid plate. Kidding-Maybe someone else can shed some light on this.

 

The shield facing down is there in case you drive over dry grass, you don't want to start a fire

 

 

So I should install the RT Cat with heat shield facing down then?

 

I don't know, I did not. I think the heat shield facing the car is more important then the one facing the ground. I am sure if the shield was supposed to point to the ground they would have put the stickers on that side. Did you read the instructions? It might say it in there, there's a how2 at www.5thgenmaximas.com too.

 

I didn't even bother to put the heat shield back on when I did mine.

 

My oem cat did not even have a heat shield.

 

So the purpose of early 5th gen max with heat shield facing down is not to prevent causing fire!!! since the 2k1 or later, the cat doesn't even have heat shield on.

the instruction on 5thgenmaxima.com says facing down, and everyone else says facing up..that is why it confused me. Anyhow, i think for RT Cat, you need to face up due to that they put sticker and stamped number on the side that is suppose to face down! which makes heatshield faces up to the car.

thanks

 

Russ Vs Everyone else? No way!

How bout emailing RT or calling them?

 

My 95 and 98 had a heatshield aiming down and only down, the reason was to prevent a brush fire!!!

The 5th max skimps out on a lot of stuff, heres a list of my discovery's thus far. No HEAT SHIELD on the cat!!! No fuel splash guard(sand is all over my damn gas cap). There is not a brake dust shieled on my front roders.

 

aim it down.

 

The car has its own heat shield under the car to protect it from the cat. Everyone think for a minute. The stock cat did not hav a shield on top of the cat, it had one on the bottom to protect it from hitting the grass or something. The car has its own, you don't need one on top. The bottom is where you need it. Face the shield down.

 

My 2k1 had a heat shield on the cat facint down.

 

None on 2002's I guess Unless I got the skimp package .

 

u dont have a fuel splash guard on ur 2k2? i do!! i didnt on the 2k1???? just wondering!

will

 

Correction, just got an email back from Dave at Randomtechnology. You should face the heat shield on top between the Cat and the floorboard.

I guess the sticker and stamped # on the Cat is there for you to follow, as according to their installation guide, you should be able to read the stamped # when installing it. Therefore, heat shield should face up!!!

thanks guys!

 

That's kinda funny how they say that, the instructions show it facing down. Sorry but the correct way is down unless you plan on having a fire under your car. Your car HAS A HEAT SHIELD under the body, there is no need for a 2nd one. The stock cat has no heat shield on top.

 

Could you post that instruction??

i dont' remember any instruction that comes with the Cat shows any diagrams?????

 

doesn't really matter... the heat shield on my RT cat was loose so I ripped it off anyways... now I have none

 

Did you experience any noise-level increase with the RT CAT?

 

slight increase after 4k rpm.... but I like it I still have stock b-pipe and muffler though...

 

Me too. I'm trying to keep the sound under control. That's why I just did cobymoby's intake...a little quieter I think. Thanks.