Hey maxima.org, finally reached my 15 post min so I can say hi to everyone. I just picked up a Black 2000 Maxima SE after my 1998 Acura CL 2.3 got totaled. I love having the 70 more hp and a V6. Anyway I have read the FAQ's and how-to's and I still have a few questions. I realize modding a for performance is like putting a puzzle together and I will see the most gains when I have multiple peices together rather than peice at a time. I was thinking about putting a new exhaust in September so I figure I will have about $1200 (first putting a bunch of loot into a new audio system) to play with if not a little more. I saw on cattan's site an exhaust kit that includeds y-pipe, cat, b-pipe, and axle-back+muffler and on another site I saw the cattman headers + y-pipe. I did not see the cattan headers on the cattman site whats up with that. My question is do you think it would be better to start from the front of the car and work back (get the catman CAI and the header+y-pipe) or vise versa? The other question I have is if all the new exhaust components are 2.5" is the stock exhaust smaller and if so how do larger pipes hook up to smaller pipes???

 

the flanges are made to fit, that's how they fit with smaller pipes. order of install is up to you and what you want out of it. if you plan on doing anything...well then it wouldn't really matter now would it. but relative power gains would be as follows: headers > y pipe > CAI > B pipe > rear section. i suppose the last three could be arguable depending on what you're doing..

 

well i really miss the sound of my CAI in my old whip so I guess the the best thing to do now would be CAI, headers, y-pipe.... thanks for your help

 

headers includes a y pipe in its construction...get one or the other

 

Im getting the headers and full cattback along with the FastCat, hopefully in a couple of months.

 

if you only have $1200 you cannot afford a full cattman exhaust (headers and back). parts alone are almost $1700 then you have to have it installed. I would not try the headers on your own unless you really know what you are doing and have a really good set of tools.

If you have $1200 try to find a set of HotShot Headers, custom maxima highflow cat and a Cattman Cat-Back. The car will be MUCH louder after the headers and Cat-back are installed. If you want a little quiter exhaust get a Frakencar Cat-Back.

Oh and I forgot you still need to buy an O2 simulator for the secondary oxygen sensors $30 from o2simulator.com and I would get all new OEM exhaust gaskets.

EDIT: just noticed you are in NY... I am luck enough that my brother is a NY inspector, your car will be illegal after everything is installed; you better know someone that can get you through an inspection.

 

I say get the full cattman headers + catback....it will cost you a pretty penny...but I'm sure if u spent a little more...$1400 will get u both items...and to answer your main question....its better to start modding closer to the engine than further....it seems like the further u go away from the engine, the less gains u get....example...a downpipe will obviously give u more than an axle-back muffler...an intake will give u more than an axle back muffler...etc etc...

check out my setup... Fully Cat-less 2.5 inch Cattman piping (headers to the muffler)

www.naisaproductions.net/maxrev.mpg *right click save as*

 

How are you on passing smog test?

 

I don't needa pass smog...yet...I've got 2 more yrs until my first check-up....

 

The thing yall missed is that hes a 2k......headers will net him another 5whp over a good Y/b/??? (whatever rear section you like) setup. I say to rmh3093, save some $$$ and get yourself a Ypipe and back and enjoy your newfound HP.

 

I did not miss it.... I just like headers more than just a Y-pipe.

 

well, some smog places out here don't even do visual checks and simply put your car on the machine and start testing emissions. however, i have heard of people getting failed for a visual inspection at a TEST ONLY place....so be as it may, you'll have some work cut out for you when the DMV starts bugging you...

 

I didnt say I could get a full cattman exhaust for 1200, I said I plan on getting it all at somepoint but right now I only have about 1200 and even though its out of stock right now, custom enterprises has the cattman headers & y-pipe for 825 then add a cattman CAI and im about 1200.

Will I pass a NY inspection with just the headers and y-pipe... I though the y-pipe only played a role in cold weather, i just bought the car so I wont have till get it inspected till next july and it should be warm out then

 

Taken from the CA DMV web site:


"Beginning January 1, 2005, vehicles 6 or less model-years old will be exempt from the biennial Smog Check inspection requirement. For vehicles with registration renewals due in the 2005 calendar year, this exemption includes model-years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005"

I am currently on my 2nd renewal (due in Sept. 05), if I am reading this correctly, then that means I have no smog testing until 4 more years, I believe.

 

i will have to read up on the NY laws i guess, there a dyno place near my house that will also test your emissions by the NY inspection method to let u know if u are in risk of failing the inspection... sounds like im gonna go visit him soon

 

see..thats what I mean...I know I got quite a long time until my first smog check....and when the time does come...I just slap on my stock cat (low mileage) and off to the freeway to warm her up...remember I don't have precats anymore...my stock cat has to be fully warmed up in order to pass....

 

do the highflow cats pass emission tests?

 

Only when VERY hot (lots of hard acceleration at low speeds, then leave the car running before getting sniffed)

 

so i guess that means y-pipe or high-flow cat..... i choose y-pipe