My used 98 Se is apparently a Cali spec vehicle from what decoding the VIN is telling me. However the car was orginally titled in NJ when new. Is that a common thing? What is the difference between a Cali spec and other 49 state vehicle? I didn't see anything in the FAQ about this.

 

I don't wanna be a real d*ck because you said you read the faq (congrats ).. but this question was answered already twice today. One thread about it is on the second page as I write this reply.. my point.. instead of posting, read thru a couple pages first.. it's most likely there

but since you did read the faq's.. the difference between cali spec and fed spec is in the number of o2 sensors the car has. 95-98 maxima's have two o2 sensors on the y-pipe both cali and fed spec. 99 maxima's have 3 o2 sensors on the y-pipe. This only really comes into play when you want to buy a y-pipe, because the 99 cali spec y fits different than the 95-98 cali or fed spec pipe. Since you have a 98, you don't have to worry about it.

And just because it's cali spec doesn't mean it is from cali.. cars in cali I believe had to be cali spec, but cali spec cars made it all over the country randomly I believe..

*edit* welcome to the .org and the addiction.. happy hunting for info

 

the o2 sensors are not the only difference. I think it's the only visible difference, but i think the stock cali y-pipe has more (thicker?) pre-cats in it, and other ish pertaining to emissions.

I'm thinking that when it came to distributing the cali-spec cars, nissan gave states with the stiffest emissions laws (CA and NJ are the top 2) the most cali-spec cars. I have the original window sticker from my car, and it was recieved in Elizabeth, NJ, and sold in College Point, NY, and it's a cali-spec.

Edit: noticed you were from NEPA....you should check out the PSU car show

 

No, it's not random at all. NY, MA, ME, and VT were all Cali spec cars if purchased inside their borders (see any commonality, uh like CT being missing, and NH??). NJ only joined in 2004, literally months ago Trenton came on board. But what's the likelihood of someone in North Jersey going across the Hudson and buying a car and titling in NJ? Somewhat likely, which would explain a 98 have California emissions and purchased by a NJ resident. What's the over/under on TX coming on board? I wouldn't hold my breath...

 

Actually I did see those posts but being a newbie thought the Y-pipe reference was to a non-stock piece of equipment. I haven't dug into the info here enough or for that matter looked under the car enough to learn what's what.

Anyway thanks for the info and taking it easy on the newb.

 

The theory on a NJ resident buying the car in NY back in 1998 is most likely dead-nuts on. I actually purchased the car from a dealer in NYC and they transferred the NJ title to me here in PA. So it's very easy to imagine that a similar thing happened back then. Thanks to everybody for the explanations.

 

oh cool.. I really thought it was just luck of the draw outside of cali.

 

I have a 99 se i bought new in 11/98 and found out a few months later, when putting on a y-pipe, it's a cali-spec. I live in PA. Anyone else from PA have the same situation?

 

I bought my 99 SE in Maryland back in 02. It was purchased and owned in MD and its Cali Spec (Has 4 plugs in front of engine bay and Cali designation on the metal tag in the engine bay). So I guess its common to find em in 99's at least.

 

I have a 99 Gxe and purchased it from New York and realized it was a Cali spec when buying a ypipe.

 

all 99s are CALI spec.

 

why would you make a statement like that

you're SO WRONG!

i have a 99 cali, bought it in PA where it was received (original papers) and sold to the only owner (i'm the second)
my friend has a 99 fed. i compared out cars a lot to see just how much more emissions equipment the cali has.

only the 99 california models are significantly different from 99 fed.

your 98 still has the same y-pipe as 95-98 fed.
99s have swirl valves in the lower intake manifold that restrict air and an extra oxygen sensor in the y-pipe to sense if the pre-cat on it is working (that's why cali spec y-pipes are different -- esseintially 3/4 of a fed y-pipe. to keep the stock precat and o2 sensor)

because the cali has NLEV emissions equipment 99 calis are usually considered the slowest maximas.

i'm gathering research on how i can convert my cali to a fed spec. or modify it in a way so that i can use the fed y-pipe.

so far swirl valves have been disabled but they are still physcially there so i'll have to pull the manifolds off and see if i can remove the valves.

since i can't search any input is appreciated
thanks