This may seem a little bizarre coming from Cattman Performance, but I'd like to see how much interest there's be in the remaining Custom Enterprise y-pipes at $199/each for these Maxima applications:

- 1995-1998 Maximas (all)
- 2004-2006 Maximas (all)

The pipes are made from type 409 stainless steel with carbon steel flanges and full mandrel bends. The flexible couplings have inner braid liners, and the overall workmanship is good. Be aware that although the stock y-pipes for 04+ Maximas include the primary catalytic convertor, these performance y-pipes do not.

Although these y-pipes were originally made for Custom Enterprise, I want to make it clear that we'd be purchasing them from the manufacturer, not from CE. No, they're not equal to Cattman Performance y-pipes, but I think they're good enough to rank second best and its a great deal for $199.

Interest?

Brian C Catts
Cattman Performance

 

that is a great deal, I'll pass it along Brian

 

how long before your 6th gen y pipe is ready? is that coming at the same time as the headers? that will greatly influence my decision.

also, do you know how many are available for the 6th gen?

 

Well, to be honest, competing with the upcoming Cattman 04+ y-pipe application is one of my concerns. We're beginning that process this month, and its our intent to actually spin a y-pipe out of the project first, followed by the manifolds. Unlike our 95-03 headers (which don't permit it) the y-pipe can be used by itself, or with the manifolds.

Hard to say on timing, probably 2 months for the y-pipe and 3-4 for the manifolds, and I'd note that any development project is speculative until its actually completed and on the shelf. Bottom line is that development timelines are very difficult to estimate without looking foolish in the end.

I'd say to go with this part if price consciousness is a big part of the buying decision. One thing I can predict is that the Cattman y-pipe will cost considerably more than $199. It will have equal length downpipes and other features that go with the header system. Perhaps more importantly to some, our y-pipes will include high performance, EPA-approved catalytic converters, which will add quite a bit to the cost.

How many are there? Both varieties are available (one for 04-06 5-speed autos, and the other for 4-speed autos and 6MTs), and there are "lots" of each. CE really left them holding the bag.

Brian C Catts
Cattman Performance

 

Any info on your Altima applications, or updates? Thanks.

 

the 02 up y-pipe yields minimal gains as you are not losing any of the pre cats like in the 95-01. i have a y on my 02 and for what i paid its not worth it. the fit and finish was great, but the 5-10WHP i gained for 350+ shipping was not worth it...headers is where its at for the 02+ 3.5s

 

interested in the one for the 04 max 6 spd!

 

are the any possible problems in the ones for 95-99? bee sound?

 

The flex is lined, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Brian

 

Its my opinion that the 02/03 y-pipes make less power (our tests showed 7-9whp) largely because the stock y-pipe was improved and flows better than previous designs. Leaving out the pre-cats only makes about 3hp difference.

The CE y-pipes do not fit 02/03 Maximas, and the 04+ CE y-pipe is an entirely different design - not comparable to the 02/03 Maxima because the stock y-pipe has the main cat in it and the CE y-pipe does not.

Brian

 

I think I might be sold.. can always upgrade later when the better one comes out gotta order some other things too, so I'll call soon.

 

i'd get one, i just cant afford a cattman for $300+

would be great if you had them for a 99

 

I might be in in march. What are the thoughts on quality compared to the other pipes. I never heard much about the CE pipe since most people don't have them. Anybody know?

 

well, Cattman pretty much hit it on the head in the first post.. at least from what I've heard from other owners... and there's actually quite a few people that have them.

 

that why I asked. From what I've heard I think they are pretty good quality. Just not sure since not many members have them.

 

I read a lot about 02+ not gaining much from a y pipe but if it is indeed 5-10whp it may be worth doing for the price. Headers for the 6th gen are like 700+ then the install is a major PITA, just doesnt seem worth it even though I know its the biggest performance gain from any single mod.

 

Again, I think that 7-9hp is what you can expect on a Cattman VQ35DE y-pipe (on an 02/03 Maxima). Let's just call that 8hp, and figure that you'd typically spend $360 for the pipe, about $15 for shipping, and perhaps $120 to install, for a total of $495 or $62/hp.

OTOH, let's say a header set will make 22hp. Price is $800 + $35 to ship + $560 to install (assuming 7 hours @ $80/hour). That's a total of $1395, or about $63/hp.

So, if you're looking at cost per hp, its a toss-up between the y-pipe and headers on an 02/03 Maxima (or 02-04 I35), they're basically the same price (per hp).

Brian

 

that's on the $360 pricetag for the Y though... so, if you're buying this you're looking at a much better $/hp ratio.. almost $42/hp with this deal.

 

I'd guess that the power output of the CE y-pipe on the 04-06 VQ35DE is fairly close to the Cattman y-pipe for the 02/03 Max, so your point is well taken.

Brian C Catts
Cattman Performance

 

To bad the 02' y's are so expensive or i would buy one, even though they don;t make much hp. Maybe if they were under 300.00 shipped it would be more of a deal. Like warpspeeds are!

 

Thats an expensive install... You should not pay more than $350 for them to be installed with anyone that knows what they are doing... Some people can have them swapped out in 2.5 hrs.

I would say it is more like $54/hp...

 

Cheaper, yes. Better deal? I don't think so. If you set a Cattman y-pipe next to a Warpspeed y-pipe, its pretty clear why ours costs more.

Just one example... Here's the racing-grade, TIG-welded, 2-1 merge collector on the Cattman 02/03 y-pipe, made from US-made, 16-gauge, 304 stainless tubing:



This isn't just a pretty picture, the collector plays a significant role in y-pipe and header performance, and if it isn't made this way, it isn't made right.

Perhaps someone can post a close-up of the Warpspeed collector?

Brian C Catts
Cattman Performance

 

Considering that they are at least 150.00 cheaper and there is minimal gain anyway i will take my chances. Some of us are on a budget, not to mention have other toys.

 

too bad. not for a 00...
catman pipes are good quality, daz for sure... someday after i pay off my student loan, i'll def get one...

 

Wanna make me an equal length ypipe

 

We experimented with that concept in 1998 when we were developing the first Maxima y-pipe, extensively testing both equal-length and asymmetric-length downpipe designs on the dyno. Stillen's first Maxima y-pipe was sort of a near-equal length design, but they quietly dropped it a couple of years later (after telling the world that it made their y-pipe superior to ours).

Just looking at it logically, you'd think it would make a difference in performance, and on some vehicles/engines it just might, but it doesn't on this engine. The exhaust pulses are thoroughly scrambled by the time they leave the stock manifolds, so there's really no performance benefit to be gained from using equal length from that point on, as long as there are not unequal restrictions.

So why do the y-pipes that go with our headers have an equalizing loop on the back downpipe? Well, that's another story. I'll just say that header manifolds are different, and there are factors other than performance involved.

Brian

 

I'm interested in a y-pipe for a '95. I'll need both dimensional and actual weight so I can estimate shipping(will be coming all the way to Hawaii).

 

hows the bees in a can problem. any on this ypipe. im interested in one for my 96, so pls send me as much info as possible. thanks

 

If you guys had one for my 2000 I would do it, Im in the market now for a y-pipe.

 

No worries, we can figure that out for you and provide an estimate. I'll probably be posting this as an official group deal next week.

BCC

 

Well, if you want the best quality and the most power, we have our Cattman y-pipes in stock for your car. Give us a call next week, or drop me a PM for more info.

Brian C Catts
Cattman Performance

 

I can testify about the amount of "bees in a can" sound there is in a Cattman y-pipe (none) but I don't have direct experience with the Custom pipe.

That said, the CE y-pipes use a lined flex section, which normally is the cure for "bees in a can".

Brian

 

I'd definitely be interested in a CE Y-pipe for an '04 SE auto... but later this month...

 

how much would a ce y-pipe be shipped to 08882 for a 99 cali spec

 

Sorry, the CE y-pipes were never made for the 99-01 Maximas. If you'd like a top-of-the-line Cattman y-pipe, we can sell you one for $374, shipped.

Brian

 

Is this deal for $199 shipped or $199 + shipping?

 

how long is the GD gonna last, about to replace my exhaust y-pipe back

 

I actually have this pipe on my alti, and it is a great product, well built and gives great improvement in midrange hp. Exhaust note does change quite a bit esp with an aftermarket exhaust.

 

Still wondering... half considering picking one of these up + a B&M.