Ok I contacted Brian Catts of Cattman Performance and if I can get 7-8 of you interested in a group purchase he'll R&D a really nice Catback exhaust for our 7th Gen. So here is a survey please vote if your interested or not. Obviously I don't have pricing but I don't believe it will be much different than the competition (Stillen so far)

I'll volunteer my car (heck he can hold onto it until it's completed) and I'll just have to force myself to drive my Z daily...

So after the voting if we hit 7+ I'll let Brian know and drop off my car....


Here is the email from Brian:

Hi Michael,

Yes, I'm sure we'll release a 09 Maxima catback in the future, just a matter
of finding the right time. We're typically prompted to begin work on a new
part after we see a pattern of requests. I've gotten a few inquiries over
the last several months, but as many as I'd like to see.

If you're a member of maxima.org or other online forums, you might want to
ask around to see if others are interested too. When customers encourage us
to development a new part, my classic reply is that we can make anything if
there's enough interest - if we can find 7-8 buyers that commit to
purchasing the part, we'll make it.

If you can successfully organize a group deal, you'll get a special
discount. If that sounds like more than you want to do, feel free to just
write back with your contact information - name, phone and email address -
and I'll keep that on file and let you know when we do get serious about
this part system.

Thanks for your interest!

Brian C Catts
Cattman Performance

 

You sure about that? All that horsepower and 6MT might be a hassle

That would be sick if Cattman continued his support into the newest generations of Maximas.

I think it'd be cool to see a single outlet 3" on a 7th gen.

 

I agree. Here is a 3" single outlet on my 6th Gen:


EDIT***
Ok fine. Here is my version of single exhaust from a 7th gen owner on here.

 

It'd be sicker if it was TWO 3" tips on one outlet

 

Maybe ur right:

 

I gotta have my dual exhaust or forget it...

 

no way single outlet! no way! First of all the bumper is made for dual..... I would love to see two tips on both pipes, now thatll be an awesome exhaust. And i would like to hear more sound, i heard the stillen cat back in person and i wasnt all that impressed. And if cattman meets all those standards , yes i would love to be involved in a group purchase

 

I just want a system that looks like the stock one, but of course better performance and my biggest thing is the size of the end pipe as long it's the same as stock you can count me in.

 

OOOPS! I forgot to add that I'd rather prefer a dual exhaust system it makes it look really good in my opinion. If it's a single exhuast you can count me out.

 

go 3" or go home! so much better than 2.5".. although i dont know how the pipe splitting on the 7th gens would factor into the pipe diameter...

 

yea i agree 3 inch would be nice

 

Only if it improves performance and the sound is good....

 

so...maxloveraz you have the 7 votes you need, Will you be taking your max to cattman now?

 

I'll be emailing Brian with the orgs responses and see what he says.

 

ok great let us know the outcome

 

Bump

 

 

i like the idea of double tips on both ends, like the Tl-type S.
that is wicked!

 

if they make an exhaust like this i am definetely down, of course I dont want any drone inside the car. this is my worst enemy!

 

I've enjoyed reading these responses because they well illustrate the dilemmas we always face when considering the design of a new part. BTW, thanks to MaxLoverAZ for getting this started.

Single or dual exhaust, single or dual tips per muffler and what size should they be, 2.5" vs 3" center tube diameter... We can only do one design, and the obvious challenge is to determine what configuration will appeal to the largest number of buyers.

I'll touch on a few points.

First, when I say we need 7-8 buyers, I mean 7-8 committed orders rather than 7-8 people posting that it sounds like a good idea. A thread like this begins the process. If there's enough general interest expressed here, we (my exhaust partner and I) will look under the car to determine the general specifications and come up with a target price so we can describe the system features and start taking orders.

Once we have 7-8 orders, we'll find a volunteer in SoCal and bring his/her car in for a half-day measurement session (MaxLoverAZ has volunteered his car, assuming the development work is done in Tucson, but its actually done in Orange County, CA), build a manufacturing fixture, order the materials and components, and fabricate our first batch of 7th gen Maxima catbacks.

We'll probably use the fitment session to design a y-pipe too, since I don't see anything out there that looks very appealing. Any interest in a 7th gen Cattman y-pipe and, ultimately, headers?

I can say right now that the exhaust will have to include dual mufflers and, if we follow the pattern that has been successful on other Maximas, each muffler will have dual tips to look good in the rear valance cutouts. Obviously some would prefer a single muffler and/or single tip style, but the broadest appeal would be dual muffs/dual tips.

I think it might make sense to start out with a 3" design, and not even make a 2.5".

There is no such thing as a performance exhaust that doesn't done a little somewhere in the rpm range, and this is particulalry true with automatic transmissions (and perhaps CVTs). The object is to minimize it.

No idea what the price would be at this moment, but I can safely say that even with the 3" tubing and the other features that typically set Cattman exhaust components apart, it will be no more expensive that Stillen's version (hopefully less).

If anyone would like to provide direct input, feel free to send a PM direct to me or give us a call at 800.759.9920 (continental US except AZ), 888.296.5153 (Canada and AZ) or 520.575.6195, we're open 9-5 MST, M-F.

Brian C Catts
Cattman Performance

 

I don't know if I can fully commit without a price point and some kind of sound clip. We all know how ricey some aftermarket exhaust can sound. I voted yes anyways though on Cattman's rep alone.

 

We'll establish a firm price for the first batch before we start accepting orders. I doubt that there will be a sound clip (I'll point out for the millionth time that sound clips cannot accurately represent sound tone, pitch or volume), but there's no reason for this system to sound much differently from our 04-08 Maxima catback - we don't "do" ricey.

Brian

 

Well how we go about ordering one, call numbers provided? and very important are the tips of these exhaust will they be bigger than the stillens? cuz theirs are small

 

I hope no offense was taken I am just a very cautious buyer. And yes, I am aware that sound clips are not accurate but they still portray an idea of what the sound should and would be.

 

Sorry, it was me who gave the wrong impression - no offense taken at this end in any way. I expect and encourage customers to be cautious about a major purchase like this.

As far as sound clips go - they are subject to faults we'd both agree on, but when its a new part and nobody you know has one on their car, what else can you do to get some hint of the sound?

Brian

 

To me, looks play a huge role as well. Personally I like big aggressive tips, and I think the STILLEN tips are rather puny. I couldn't commit to anything until I saw the final product. This is also why I havn't voted on this poll.

 

Please, no orders yet. I want my exhaust designer to look under the car so we can come up with a price (may not be the permanent price, but it will do for the first batch or two) and generally establish how we'll go about the design. I'll come back to this thread with the price and description, and then we'll start taking orders. Once we receive 7-8, we'll bring the car in for a half-day measuring session.

Do any of you guys live in southern California? It would be very useful to put a car up on the lift ASAP so we can do the initial scoping. Please contact me directly if this is a possibility. If no one following this thread is in SoCal, we'll start a thread in the 7th gen forum to find a volunteer.

Brian

 

I haven't seen the Stillen catback up close, so I don't know the size of the tips. Input from customers is very useful in this regard, so I'm keen to hear your opinions.

My own tastes lean towards simple clean lines and nothing outrageous size-wise. This could take the form of something like the tips we use on our 00-03 mufflers. Those single-wall, polished stainless steel tips are 75-80mm (3.0-3.25") in diameter and slightly angle cut so the "top" edge extends further than the "bottom" edge.

We didn't do this on the 00-03 muff, but I can imagine staggering the tip lengths so that they are not equal to each other, but extend the same distance from the bumper - tips would be different lengths because the rear bumper is curved.

Just ideas, not set in stone. Thoughts?

Brian

 

Now that I think about it I don't really know what kind of tip would look best on my Max. The only thing that I do know is that it cannot be any smaller then the stock tips, the only exception would be quad tips something along the lines of the GT-R but not a direct replica you know? Anywhos single tips probably along the lines of 3"-3.5"max with angle cuts would be something I would definitely be interested in. Quad tips peak my interest but I would have to see before I go all crazy about them. Hope this helps!

 

When I say big I mean no smaller than stock, and if quad, then something like the TL type-S size I guess? Now that I think of it, I could see how "Big" could mean those gigantic tips you see on honda mufflers at autozone. No way do I mean that. Your description sounds pretty darn good, I'd be very interested to see it.

 

I agree i think dual tips for each muffler would look very nice, If cattman is gonna do single tips, i advise them to make them bigger than stillens version. I woulda bought stillens catback, but the tips are not doing anything for me.Also i want something a little more louder then the stillen, i finally heard one in person and i wasnt all that impressed with the sound. And many other members here agree with me as well. Mreim769 i also agree with you 100 percent, about not fully commiting without a price/pic/ or some kind of some clip. I think in order for the product to be succesful , we need some type of picture and possibly a sound clip to make us buyers buy the item. I also read that cattman might build a y pipe and headers!! That would be great because ive seen the stock y pipe on our 09 and its very restictive. I wouldnt be suprised if the y pipe alone would give us an extra 10-15hp. So yes Cattman i would also be interested in buying the y pipe and headers as well( i bought racinglines y pipe, but their pipe had a defect in it so i ended up returning the item and stuck with the stock y pipe for now)

 

Ooops, I've just discovered that I was talking out of my a$$. I'd forgotten that Nissan had gone back to single tips on the 7th gens, so I was mistaken when I said this in an earlier post: "each muffler will have dual tips to look good in the rear valance cutouts, etc., etc.". Very sorry about sounding like an idiot.

After reminding myself with a hard look at a good picture, I'll revise what I said earlier to basically say the opposite. Short of doing something bizarre and expensive with dual tips that a few people would love, but most would hate, there's no way to make dual tips (per muffler, quad overall) look good with that valance, and nobody wants to have to buy and install a body kit when they put a catback on. So, whatever size or style of tip we choose, its most likely that one tip per muffler (2 mufflers) is the logical way to go, but if someone can figure out a 4-tip strategy that doesn't require any bodywork I'm all ears.

It might be useful for this discussion if someone posted pictures taken from directly behind the car, maybe 15-20' back, with the camera held about 4' off the ground, and a couple of other shots from the side and slightly behind the car. We could refer to the pictures in terms of relative tip diameter, length, finish, etc. It would also be useful to know the diameter of the stock and Stillen tips.

Brian

 

Brian,

I'll email you several pictures this evening...

Mike

 

Actually, I thought it might be useful to post them within the thread, to have a visual common reference for a group discussion.

Brian

 

No problem I'll do both..

 

I would be interest in joining the group to purchase this Cattman exhaust. I would need to know the price and have general pics of what it would look like before committing like some of the other buyers....

Thanks,
Brandon

 

I voted yes to the product as well but depending on the price IDK if I would want to take my Stillen exhaust right away before I heard some customer and real life reviews first.

If you were to come out with a Y-Pipe I would most likely jump on that and headers as soon as my car is outta warranty..

 

Here are some pics, I tried to lighten the shadows so you can see the exhaust more clearly.

 

Thanks, that's very helpful for someone who doesn't own the car. How to you guys feel about oval tips? Would round be OK? Could someone measure the width and height of the opening? I think a round tip with a diameter equal to the width of the oval tip would appear significantly larger, and it would still fit in the valance notch OK.

I think its just the way the last picture looks, but does the left tip extend further than the right tip? I remember that when I brought a new G35C home a few years ago I noticed that the tips were in different positions. Headed right down to the dealership to get it made right but when I looked down a long line of coupes, I realised they were ALL misaligned. Not one car had a pair of tips that were positioned symmetrically.

Brian

 

I would love to see either a round or oval tip that sicks out further from the valance then the stock version. We need something that looks mean from the rear view!