I tried the links in the sound clip thread and none of them work, so I was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction because I will be looking into an exhaust in the spring and will either go custom or Cattman...but cattman is a little pricey and loud from what I recall, which is why I would like to hear it again.

Oh and does the cattman come with 14815 or 14816 magnaflow mufflers? And what kind of resonator is it that comes with it? Lastly what is the stock diameter of the piping in the exhaust?

thanks much guys
DAN

 

Bump. Me too. also does anyone have any idea how much a custom exhaust would run with a couple of magnaflow mufflers?

 

When you don't know what the volume level was when the clip was recorded, or what it should be when you play it back, how will you be able to tell how loud the Cattman exhaust is from a sound clip?

The resonated version of our 04-06 catback isn't particularly loud, and the stainless resonator we use is larger than what you'll find in an exhaust shop.

Sure you can get an OK custom exhaust, but its very possible that you will spend a whole lot of money on a headache, and we've sold many exhausts to customers who wasted their money on a "custom" exhaust first.

You will not find the Cattman level of performance, material and subcomponent quality, workmanship and fitment in any other exhaust system, custom-made or production. Believe me and our customers, its worth the extra money.

Brian C Catts
Cattman Performance

 

Brian,

Aren't you working on a new catback for the 6th gen? I like the old one with the dual tips but I think I've read somewhere that a new one is comming out soon. True?

 

We initially produced them in Sport (non-resonated) and Touring (resonated) versions. The Touring version was much more popular, so we only make the resonated version now. No need for a new design, this one fits and performs great.

Plus, its currently featured in our annual Cattman December Exhaust Sale.

Brian C Catts
Cattman Performance

 

Duly noted. I am still collecting money for this mod after recent purchase of grill and rims. Its definitely on the list, hope I can get the $$$ before end of December. Maybe Christmas will help.

 

Brian, I am not sure if PrjtMax is looking for sound clip in order to see the loudness of it or simply get a feel of the tone it generates. I would also like to hear one, preferrably in person but sound clip might help too.

 

I just installed the Cattman resonated catback on my 04 SE about a week and a half ago. I would not consider the volume so loud, but it drones and resonates in the cabin at cruise rpms under load (1800-2700 rpm). Under accelaration it sounds great but the drone is punishing to the ears on long cruises. I am hoping that I did something wrong during the installation, but the kit did not come with directions so I did the best I could. Cattman do you have any suggestions?? I love the system as it looks great and is of great construction, but I have to get rid or tone down the resonance under cruise.

 

yeah i've heard that too and edxactly at those levels too...are you running CAI on the motor? cause if your not...and you put one in later its going to get louder.

so brian any suggestions at making the droning a bit more hospitalable...i've heard someone achually cutting out the resonator and putting in a custom magnaflow res...which i think is a strong possiblity that i might do if it is too drony...sorry

 

Not to hijack the post, but this is an interesting topic. I had a 2006 Altima SE that I LOVED. I traded it not long ago for a 2006 Maxima SE.

The reason for the trade was the NISMO exhaust I had installed was BRUTAL at around the 2000RPM range. Which = most HWY or cruising speeds. I could tolerate it, but it drove my wife and any passengers CRAZY. Keep in mind, it wasnt "ricey" sounding or overly loud, but just a constant and annoying drone.

It looked and sounded GREAT at idle and WOT and there was some performance gain, but cruising, there was no way to stop the drone. I tried everything from foam carpet pad under the seats and trunk to dynomat in many areas. There was no way to defeat it.

The problem I have now is the Max stock exhaust is pretty lame, and it could really use a few more ponies from better breathing. I have the NISMO CAI installed, but unless you hammer it, the Max sounds like a 4 cyl to my ears.

Someone could make a LOT of money in aftermarket exhaust finding a way to stop the drone at cruising speeds.

Sorry, back to the topic at hand.

 

Any input Brian?

 

I am going to spend some time on the exhaust this weekend. I am thinking of adding weight in certain areas of the tubing. This may change the rpm at which the system goes into resonance. Most of you have probably seen these mass dampers on stock exhaust systems to reduce drone and resonance.

 

I guess my first question is why do you assume the magnaflow resonator would make a significant difference? We use an excellent quality, long resonator. To reduce the sound further, the resonator would have to be substantially longer and larger in diameter.

In response to a different post, I'll also mention that there are not typically installation instructions with an exhaust system. If it fits properly, its installed properly. As long as its not rattling, I don't think the installation could influence the sound.

There are a few inherent issues at work here that are difficult, if not impossible, to completely overcome in a dual exhaust catback attached to a V6 motor.

First, anyone talking about droning almost certainly has an automatic transmission. Designing exhausts for any car with an automatic is difficult because no matter which exhaust performance exhaust you're talking about it will drone somewhere in the same "rev zone" that an automatic keeps the engine within while cruising. [FWIW, that's why Jim Wolf doesn't sell catbacks.] Exhausts don't drone at high or low rpms, and it doesn't really happen during accelleration, its always in the range you're talking about when the engine is loafing, which is exactly the way it operates about 80% of the time with an automatic transmission.

Another issue is a dual vs single outlet exhaust. Interestingly, we were discussing that topic at the Nissan dealership earlier this evening. A couple of the mechanics were telling about how loud the drone was on the Titans that had dual, vs single, aftermarket exhausts, and the point was made (and all agreed) that dual exhausts droned more than single exhausts on any vehicle. With dual exhausts, the "natural" drone is amplified by two sources of that noise oscillating slightly against each other because they're inevitably a slightly different pitch (or maybe that's harmonics, is there an acoustical engineer in the house?). This is an inherent feature of dual exhausts (particularly when there are 2 separate mufflers); it will differ by vehicle, engine, and exhaust system, but its always there.

[I could suggest converting to single exhausts, and it would make a big difference in the drone and possibly make more power, but I don't think that would be very popular. Consider the hard-core JDM systems for the current Zs and "Skylines" - rip out the dual exhaust, bolt on a huge titanium single-tip catback. Maybe a new exhaust design that uses one real and one dummy muffler - I'm sort of joking, but that would be a solution that preserves power and significantly reduces drone.]

Some would argue that although 4 cylinder motors are known for that really buzzy droning effect with a performance exhaust, V6 (but not I6) and V8 motors are prone to something called "rifling".

I think the combined effect of a dual system, with the rifling tendencies of the V6 motor, is causing the droning effect being discussed in this thread, and that's reinforced by the report of the Nismo exhaust on the Altima. These are not particularly loud exhausts, but the drone is a common and inherent feature (with automatics) that neither Cattman nor Nissan have been able to overcome with their performance catback designs.

And of course, all of these effects can be overcome by building the exhaust with massive amounts of sound deadening materials, 4' log-like resonator, baffles, tubes, etc. - and pinching tubes halfway shut, let's not forget - but you'll lose all the performance that way. Those are the design features that Nissan used for the stock system.

But I'll also toss in that although it might not be effective, the idea mentioned about clamping a mass to the tubing in the right spot to alter the harmonics of the tube is an interesting one, and worth a try. If I had a 6th gen I'd start experimenting with it immediately.

Anyway, its late and I'll finish by simply noting that the Cattman exhaust is, number one, a performance exhaust. Its a straight-through design that makes 10-12hp, an amazing amount for a catback on a modern car, yet its quieter than the other brands because we've implemented everything we can to moderate that sound without losing power. Beyond that, we're bumping into the factors that I've meandered through above.

If you want a little sound, some nice tips, and don't care about any power (because the increase will be negligable - the significant restrictions are not in the mufflers), just clamp on a pair of aftermarket mufflers. We'll very likely make a pair of clamp-on mufflers for the 04-06 and 07 later this year.

If you want a high quality stainless exhaust, with excellent fit (and NO clamps), that makes lots of power on an otherwise stock system (even better with a header), and is as quiet as a true performance exhaust can be, go for the Cattman version, currently on sale. Just a matter of priorities, I understand completely.

Brian

 

What is more than likely happening is the frequency is different between the two mufflers and thus will combine and be amplified. It is a complex equation to figure it all out I would think. Different lengths of pipe, made of material x, at thickness b, at diameter c, etc, etc...All this would equate to a given frequency with a variable pitch. With a dual exhaust it would be two different frequencies with two different pitchs. The idea of tuning it with variable collars or dampeners is an old practice that would work very well. It's a hit or miss game though that would require a car and alot of time adjusting, driving, adjusting, driving. Also remember if your metering vs listening you will get different results at times. Sound is very tricky to measure and different pitchs, frequencies, harmonics, and the likes will multiply at different levels.

Anyway I'm rambling. Hope that cleared it up a little for you Brian.

By the way, do you recommend a true dual exhaust at all.

 

Lots of information here....would buy now, but the money is not just there yet. I guess I'll be forced to pay a full price later on after New Year.

 

very interesting...buh brian don't think what i stated before was a hack at your quality work...Not at all...i'm just saying that if the droning is too unbarable...that replacing the resonator and muffler ends is a option people have...basically if you replace the resonator...you would probably need a longer and larger resonator...buh what i was looking into is my friend just recently purchased a FX35 and his brother has a g35. i wanted to see how those would line up with the VQ35 engines...placement...length....ect ect...i don't know yet. see what happens...

 

yes yes..... a lot of info.....so I am stuck in a dilema....

Presents for the family?????

or

Cattman exhaust for my car?????


Brrwwwahahahahahah!!!!!

 

definately presents for the family and friends! Im doing the same! also I like this brian, he has engineuity!

 

i just thought of what i really wanna do. i need to sit in a max with the cattman exhaust and achaully hear it for myself. cause brian said sometime that made sense...you can't cancel the drone completely on a catback...hense the purpose of it...however its a matter of what kind of drone and how loud of a drone...everybody has a different defination on loudness...

so seriously...someone around hear has to have a damn cattman exhaust...i mean i've heard the SP2s...and they aren't loud at all...they have a droning buh very low and bearable. buh the only thing i don't like about them is the single outlet...i lik the stock dual on dual look.

 

The power increase is so good on Cattman that I can take the drone. I just make sure my rpms are out of the "drone range". I like Brian's idea about a single muffler. I thought abt that myself. Just not sure what to do about the remaining opening in the back. Body shop maybe? Then it'll really look like an Altima. jeez . . .

 

Oh, I didn't take any offense. All we were talking about was sound, not the quality of the equipment or power, and sound is so subjective. If you think yours is loud, imagine it without a resonator - but for some customers, that was just right.

Its hard to find a larger (quieter) resonator off-the-shelf. Our ability to get the sort of 20"+ resonators we needed was so intermittent that I finally put together the specifications for a "perfect" 22" resonator and they're being made for us in batches of 100.

Brian

 

i've searched but i can't see anything that ACTUALLY has the sound clips on it , can anyone post them

 

I am thinking to instal Greddy SP2 in my max, Please advise any other available BOLT-ON catback exhaust system, Thank a Bunch!!

 

Not to bash brian but i have a greddy sp2 and its not loud at all until WOT but no drone what so ever and my fujita is louder when foot goes to floor plus i have a y pipe too and im a highway cruiser and sometimes i forget that i have exhaust on the car