y2kse

iTrader: (1)

According to Brian, the flex section issues in Cattman Y-pipes are ". . . far from a universal problem". Let's find out.

ericdwong

Oh yeah http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=107471

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

Question is, if someone found a problem w/ their non-cattman flexes, don't you think people would post about it? I wouldn't know if mine original cattman flex crumbled or not, it leaked in few months and I replaced shortly after.

BTW is a realy pain in the neck to get under the car and peer inside your Y pipe. I even have ball joint flanges and still it would be a pain.

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

I'd say the issue's important enough to take your vehicle to a mechanic or a muffler shop, have them pull the cat, and then inspect the flex section of the Y-pipe. FWIW, that's exactly what I intend to do.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

O man. I don't have that kind of time or $ to waste on that. Hell, now you got me curious! Thing is I have another flex identical to the one I have on my car now. I should peer into that and see how the inner lining is welded on.

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

I'm guessing a muffler shop would drop the cat and reinstall it for around $20.00 to $30.00. IMHO, that's a cheap price to pay for some peace of mind, especially if the Y-pipe is still under warranty.

PS: The invoice on my Cattman Y-pipe is dated 6/18/01. You'd damn well better believe I'm going to have it inspected before 6/18/02.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

Plus the 1 hour of standing around time that I don't have.

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

Then obviously it's not enough of an issue for you to deal with. But I'd suspect you're in the minority on this one. Still, I'd be happy to run another poll to find out how many Cattman Y-pipe owners aren't going to get their Y-pipes inspected if you need convincing.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

Nope, hopefully I'll be chucking that thing soon!

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

Come on guys. I know more than six of you have Cattman Y-pipes.

Cast your votes.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

Didn't vote yet but just to let you know, I installed some 315-25-17 that were only s rated on my 17x6 rims.

Seriously, glad you're keeping the fight up about it.

Blackgums100

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jeff92se
[B]Didn't vote yet but just to let you know, I installed some 315-25-17 that were only s rated on my 17x6 rims.


OMG Cattman is in a world of hurt with Y2 on them. He will prove the exhaust restriction is somehow related to 235's on 7 inch rims.

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

Don't get me started!

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

So what's the plan for those of you who think you have a problem with your flex section but haven't had it inspected yet? Are you going to get your Y-pipe inspected or are you going to keep driving around with a defective Y-pipe? And if you are going to get your Y-pipe inspected, when are you planning to do that?

Don't be shy. Speak up!

BriGuyMax

iTrader: (1)

I purchased a Cattman y-pipe February 2001, I had the flex replaced becuase of leakage by Cattman UNDER warrenty in Sept 2001. I realized a power loss in November 2001...I found the crumpled lining in my flex section in February 2002....I bought another use cattman y-pipe off a local member for really cheap...it had been used for 3K miles..and the flex was fine....last night after less that 1K miles on my car I disconnected the cat...and the y-pipe (took 5 minutes) and peered inside....and guess what I found......you got it...my NEW Cattman y-pipe was having the SAME problem as my old one!!!!!!! So I now have TWO busted Cattman y-pipes sitting in my garage....and my stock y-pipe on my car....boy does my life suck right now...

sbslacker

iTrader: (1)

I voted that my pipe seems okay and I haven't inspected it yet....but I'm getting a new catback in the next couple of weeks so when I put that on, I'll pull the cat & check the y-pipe for any irregularities.

Jeez, a shrinking flex section? I would've never guessed that this of all things would become an issue when I bought the pipe. I'm so sorry I didn't keep my stock pipe just for piece of mind.

omax

I know I'm having a problem just not sure if thats the cause but I will be taking mine off and putting the stock back on anyway

VeeTec

Mine, as most of you know, had the innner flex lining come loose and clog it up.

Looks like the problem isn't very isolated.

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

I assume you'll inspect the flex section of your Cattman Y-pipe before you put your stock Y-pipe back on, omax. If the flex section is OK, will you still remove the Cattman? And if so, why?

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

It may be a bit early to declare results, but among those who have had their Cattman Y-pipes inspected, 2 out of 3 stated that they discovered a problem with the flex sections of their pipes. While these results may not be indicative of a "universal" problem, the condition appears to be much more widespread that Cattman might care to admit.

Based on the data collected so far, it seems wise for EVERYONE who owns a Cattman Y-pipe to inspect the flex section of their pipes, particularly if the pipe is within one year of purchase and still under warranty. I certainly intend to have my pipe inspected. And if I find that the flex section is defective, I will have Cattman repair it at Cattman's expense.

Please keep voting. The more votes we get, the better the results. And if any of you who have not gotten your Y-pipe inspected decide to do so, please post a thread as to the outcome of your inspection. Thanks.

breaux124

iTrader: (1)

I've had my Cattman Y-pipe since around September and I looked at it this past weekend. Mine is fine, no problems.

But who knows how long it takes for the flex to come undone. I'd also like to know how Nitrous or a SC effects the Y-pipe. Are most of the people with flex section problems boosted in some way?

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

You and I are thinking somewhat in parallel, breaux124. I'm also interested in determining if there's a pattern to the flex section problem. My question is, how hard are the cars driven that have the problem? In other words, does the problem occur more frequently if the vehicle is raced or driven aggressively?

Speak up guys. Let's see if we can figure out why some flex sections collapse while others don't.

MAX2000JP

My flex section got a hole in it after 2 months of use. On my car there is a hangar right in front of the flex section. It is welded on the Stock Y, therefore it couldnt be removed. My Cattman y-pipe didnt have this hangar, so my flex section basically drooped. I sent my y-pipe back to Cattman and he welded this hangar on and supposedly he changed his design to include the hangar. All free of charge, but it did take about a month for them to fix and ship it back.

I am gonna check and see if the inside of the flex section is starting to fray and report back to you.

BTW...Y2kse I got a tire question for you. I will send you a PM later on tonight.

MAX2000JP

FYI.....Cattman sent me an email a while back describing how Nissan engine mounts are notorious for failing. Could this be part of the problem. People could be riding around on damaged engine mounts and not even know it.

I drive my car hard. The first flex section I had lasted me 2 months. Everytime i shifted hard into 2nd or 3rd I would get a loud bang. I took my car to the Track 2 weeks after the y-pipe install and when my friends saw me run they said it looked like my B-pipe/Cat was gonna touch the ground. This was caused by the hangar missing that I described above.

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the detailed post, MAX2000JP. I'll look forward to hearing the results of your inspection.

Oh goody, goody!

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

That's an interesting statement. I've had more than one flex fail(one Cattman and another a different brand). It could have been the motor mounts. BUT my oem Y pipe is in perfect condition. If my motor mounts were indeed bad, would not the oem flex be damaged also?

It's my theory that the flex sections are too SHORT. Not enough "give". That's the only big difference I see between the Cattman and oem flex sections. Note: my 2nd one(currently wrapped in header wrap to reduce noise) is also very short. The Cattman Y doesn't alow room for the installation of a longer flex.

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

I subscibe to your theory, Jeff. My guess is that the incidence of flex section problems is much higher among those who regularly race or drive their Maximas aggressively. I don't race my Maxima nor do I tend to drive it that aggressively most of the time. So I'll be interested to see if my flex section is collapsing when I take it in to get it inspected.

Having said that, I do understand that the flex section should be able to withstand racing conditions. After all, that's really what it was made for, right?

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

Well yes. That should be understood as the Y is a "performance" part. The question is why are the aftermarket ones failing and not the oem ones. Surely the extra 10hp is not enough to make a significant difference in the area of motor mount deflection. Let's say it's enough to make the motor mounts flex another 10%. Can't the flex accomodate that??

Here is another sidenote. My brother had a custom Y made. Redesigned down pipes into the stock flex and output flange. Diameter is slightly smaller than aftermarket ones(oem dia vs whatever Cattman is). So let's say it gives my brother 90% of the gains that a Cattman would. That would reduce the amount of motor mount flex to what, 9% deflection? But he has not experienced ANY leaks whatsoever. Now you can't really say the performance difference inbetween the two aftermarket Y pipes is the difference. Doesn't make sense. To me it MUST be either the flex itself, the design of the flex, or the length of the flex. I am tending toward the length for now. As I believe budget and Warspeed use longer versions of the flex and have not "apparently" experienced any problems.

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

My understanding is that it's not a leak issue we're dealing with but a constriction issue. And yes, it could be a problem with the flex itself, the design of the flex, or the length of the flex. But might it not also be the result of recurring heavy stress placed on the flex due to racing and aggressive driving?

Here are a couple of telling questions. Let's see if anyone will respond.

Question 1: If you race your Maxima or drive it aggressively, have you experienced problems with the flex section of your Cattman Y-pipe?

Question 2: If you do NOT race your Maxima or drive it aggressively, have you experienced problems with the flex section of your Cattman Y-pipe?

My guess. . . and this is only a guess, mind you . . .is that the percentage of those who answer Question 1 in the affirmative will far outweigh the percentage of those who answer Question 2 in the affirmative.

BTW, I remember reading something recently from Warpspeed concerning the fact that bad flex can be an issue for ANY manufacturer of Y-pipes.

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

Interesting. I thought at least some of you guys would be willing to stand up and tell us whether your driving habits might be contributing to the problem you're having with your flex section. But I guess it's every man for himself, huh?

UPDATE!

Well I know of at least one person who beats the crap out of their Y-pipe and has the damaged flex to prove it. Check out:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=111817

Kind of makes me wonder if any aftermarket Y-pipe could stand up to that kind of abuse . . . er, fun!

JDwyer2821

So is Cattman redesigning his Y-pipe or not? Thats what I am waiting for.

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

Why don't you contact Brian and ask him, JDwyer2821. You can reach him at 800-795-1513. Then let us know what he says.

Now, is ANYBODY willing to fess up to the fact that beating the crap out of their Cattman Y-pipe may have contributed to why their flex failed? Or do I have to keep digging through other threads to discover the truth?

And has ANYBODY with a Cattman Y-pipe who doesn't race or drive their Maxima aggressively ever experienced a problem with their flex section?

Come on guys. Help me out here.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

I "assume" if it's noisy, it's leaking, thus the lining is broken. Maybe it's a wrong assumption. And yes, he drives it like a *****! hehe

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

And how many of the other people who said they have a problem with their flex sections drive like "******"? And how many people who said they don't have a problem with their flex sections drive like "non-******"?

Buehler? Buehler?

MAX2000JP

I went to the track once with my car and that was last august. I do drive my car pretty agressive. I usually dont launch my car, but rather hit it from a roll.

I agree that the flex section on the Cattman y-pipe might be too short. Compare it to a stock flex and its half the size.

Another theory I have is that "wheel hop" causes deterioration of the flex. I try to avoid it at all costs.

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for stepping up to the plate, MAX2000JP. It's nice that somebody cares enough to respond.

Did you inspect the flex section of your Y-pipe? If so, was it damaged?

breaux124

iTrader: (1)

I drive my car pretty hard, and my flex section is ok. But it's only been on since around september AND I'm NA.

I wonder if welding on a hanger like the stock Y-pipe would help, since it wouldn't move as much.

As for flex section length. I've had both the Warpspeed Y-pipe and the Cattman. The warpspeed Y-pipes have a longer flex section, but they were much stiffer than the cattman flex. The cattman flex on my Y-pipe seemed really loose/flex whereas the Warpspeed flex section was much more stiff/ridged.
Also, warpspeed Y-pipes have only been around a little over a year, so maybe over time they'll develop the same problem?

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, Bryan. Your response would seem to indicate that aggressive driving might not be a factor in causing flex section detioration.

I assume that most people who install a Y-pipe don't drive their Maximas conservatively. I may be one of the few people who do. I don't race my Maxima and I've only launched it hard once from a dead stop. (I'm not a big fan of wheel hop!) But I like to accelerate quickly once I get moving. So it will be interesting to see if my flex section has detiorated when I get my Y-pipe inspected.

Victim64

OMG and yours was just like 2 weeks old?? dang

MAX2000JP

I havent inspected the inside of the flex section yet. If I get a chance this weekend I will. I got a lot of modding to do this weekend. Helping my brother put a UDP and H&Rs on his 99' SE-L and I am also helping BriGuyMax put KYB-AGX's/Sprints on his car.

What do you think about my wheel hop theory? Pesonally I think that the problem might involve a couple of variables such as the length of the flex, engine mounts, and wheel hop. I wish I could load the vid i took of my runs at the track. You can see my exhaust bouncing up and down violently.