So i got a hole in my cat converter the other day and my original idea was to just weld it over. Then i realized it was stainless steel which is a problem so ill prob just have to get a new one. The one i have now is a catco hi flow cat and i have a WSP Y and apexi catback. Is it worth it to get another Hi Flow cat or just get a generic cheaper one or what. Basicly im asking is it worth spending $150 for a cat and what one should i get

 

No one else has replied so I'll try to help you out a little. In general you will see little to no gains from a highflow cat, especially if you aren't boosted. You will gain 1-2hp if that, nothing you will ever be able to feel and it's not going to improve your 0-60 times or 1/4 mile. However I wouldn't get an OEM cat either. Since you have an aftermarket exhaust I'm assuming all your tubing is now 2.5" besides the factory cat which I believe is 2.25". I would keep the diameter the same all the way through if you're replacing the cat to keep things flowing smoothly. If I was in your shoes I'd give budget a call or send an email to Jeff himself and inquire about a cat converter for your max with 2.5" inlet and outlet. It'll give you all the benefits of a highflow cat (if any) and still be cheaper than a highflow or an OEM cat. I'm finally getting a y-pipe soon and think I'll replace the cat while at it so complete my exhaust system and will be going this route and getting both the y-pipe and cat from budget. Hope this helps you out a little

 

Are there any aftermarket cats that are of the same or better quality than the OEM unit?

 

I believe all would be of better quality. I always pay special attention to the Nissans that come into the shop I work at when I have them up on the lift and it's really sad to see Sentras, Altimas, and Maximas (some only 2-3 years old) that have exhausts (including the cat) that already look like they're about to crumble apart. I even was working on a 2003 Infiniti the other day and the heatshield to the cat was already gone. It was hanging by 1 piece of metal and probably would have fallen off when the owner was driving it home so I pulled it off. The aftermarket ones may not perform any better but they all for the most part are made of better materials and living in the North East and planning on having my Max for a long time that is a strong enough selling point for me

 

The stock cat is still 2.5". Since its technically illigal (at least in ME) to buy a used one, just pick up a Car Sound from WSP. I got mine for less than $90.

 

Better quality meaning what? That they rust faster or that they do their job better? There is no aftermarket cat converter for the maxima that is half as good as the stock one in terms of doing it's job. I also can't see how it could have a bad build quality? Yes they rust fast on the outside but the shell is thicker than 1/8th of an inch.

 

I bought an Arvin direct fit from Autozone for $140. You lose the heat shield, but I only had to wait 1 day for it to come in. My original was rusted so bad, that when I tried to take my O2 sensor out, I bored a hole in the theaded area. The drawback is that my Y-pipe sounds louder and you have to tighten the bolts (12mm bolts w/14mm heads) a little at a time for the best fit. Don't forget new gaskets, too.

 

the guy who installed my exhaust put a high-flo on and it clicks really bad when running is this normal

 

By click do you mean tick? If so that's a small exhaust leak. You should replace the gasket if you didn't use a new one and put some sealant on it as well to make things nice and tight