I'm glad (and relieved) to report that the "legendary" Cattman y-pipes for the 1995-2001 Maximas (both types) are back in production for the first time in 4 years. There are two types:

1. YG4 y-pipes are for all 95-98 Maximas/I30s and 99/00 Maximas/I30s with Federal-type emissions. [on the bottom in the picture - production y-pipes will not be labelled ]

2. YG5CA y-pipes are for 99/00 Maximas/I30s with CA/NLEV ("Cali") type emissions and all 2001 Maximas/I30s. [on the top in the picture]

Here's what they look like, sorry for the bad pic. Will have more and better pics soon.


The re-introductory price is $349.99, exactly what we were charging 4 years ago, despite huge increases in tubular and plate steel prices. I saved some old steel for these, but there isn't much and once it's gone prices will have to increase, so get in on the good deal now.

We take orders (and answer questions) by phone at 800.759.9920 (US exc AZ), 888.296.5153 (Canada and AZ) or 520.575.6195 from elsewhere. We're open 9-5 MST/PDT (3 hours earlier than the east coast), Monday-Friday. There are no online sales; all orders are taken by phone to ensure you get the right part and information every time. We know exactly which parts fit which cars and will NOT try to sell you exhaust parts that don't fit your Maxima.

Performance results are spread broadly across the entire RPM range, with peak #s between 11-14whp, depending on the transmission and engine type (slightly better results with manual transmissions and/or DEK motors). Despite any claims to the contrary, that's about as good as it gets with y-pipes on engines with stock internals. Headers aren't right for everybody, and these y-pipes represent a very cost-effective (price and labor) substitute.

A customer asked which generation these are, but we've revised and improved the design so many times since we made the first Maxima y-pipes in 1997 that I have no idea. I call them "Type 10" y-pipes to mark the year.

Since its bound to come up, I'll mention that some who are unfamiliar with our exhaust systems may ask why imported products can sell for much less and how they'll benefit from the difference in quality. I don't want to get into a long rant about that, and this thread is not the place of others to debate it either, but if the question is put accurately - "How can the US-made, robustly constructed, perfect-fitting Cattman y-pipes be a good value when its possible to buy thin-walled, poorly designed and fabricated, ill-fitting and/or short-lived knock-offs (or worse) ordered from Chinese catalogs and relabelled, for half the price?" - then it answers itself.

I'm glad to have these back in our inventory. Please feel free to write or call with any questions.

Brian C Catts
Cattman Performance

 

Well said, well said. I actually plan on getting the Y-pipe as soon as I get a little money in the bank. How often do you update your website? I've been looking around and have pretty much decided to order a lot of my performance parts from you (if you still offer the stuff on the site). Also your descriptions of the Y-pipe are backwards. The yg-4 is the bottom one. The yg-5 is the top.

 

We update the website every decade, so there's a couple years left to go. No, that's a lie, we don't update it at all - that thing is so primitive its not worth messing with, though I keep talking about throwing up a new one.

Feel free to call and order or ask questions about our parts. We're very reliably available on the phone at 800.759.9920 (US exc AZ), 888.296.5153 (Canada and AZ) or 520.575.6195, and are open 9-5 MST/PDT, M-F.

Thanks, I've fixed the description.

Brian

 

Wow! Im glad that you are back on the market but that price is a little steep. The quality steel you are using is negligible in comparison to other companies who are priced from $200 to $250. Nonetheless, I dont want to bash a thread. I am happy you guys decided to continue making the y's. Always good to see more 4th gen performance parts on the market from a quality company. Good Luck!

 

Price is steep yes, but man, if I post up pics of my warpspeed compared to these, the warpspeed will be put to shame, these Y-pipes look top-notch in quality, and one day I hope to afford some of Brian's stuff because I only hear good things from him.

You'll be hearing from me one day when I begin exhaust work on my car.

 

[I want to point out that since the focus is on steel quality, the following comments are directed towards y-pipes imported from outside North America. Since most of the steel used for performance exhausts in the US and Canada is 16 ga., the primary differences between Cattman y-pipes and others made in North American are design (more performance), components (longer life and better sound), and build quality (fitment and reliability).]

If you think the difference between 16 gauge (.060-.065" thick walls) stainless tube from a US mill and 20 gauge-equivalent (.035-.040" thick) stainless tube from a Chinese mill is negligable, then you must be unfamiliar with the comparative metallurgical and dimensional properties of these materials.

Let's recognize a cheap copy for what it is without being fooled by cosmetic similarities. Quite the opposite from being negligable, the differences in fitment, durability/longevity and performance are like night and day, and make a substantial difference in the value of each part.

When thin-walled exhaust parts have to be forced on a car, often with a pry-bar and/or a torch, severe stresses are created that will only be relieved when the tubing cracks. I don't make this stuff up, I hear the stories every day from customers who are buying our parts to replace cheap parts that have failed. Even when severe force isn't required to install, these parts are under a lot of stress and thin-walled tubing has a much higher rate of failure.

Its not just a matter of strength; thin tubing (often 18 gauge minus polishing, resulting in about 19-20 gauge thickness) radiates heat like its practically transparent, while 16 gauge tubing has heat retention capabilities that are almost as good as ceramic coated mild steel. Lost heat = lost horsepower and a much hotter engine bay.

Finally, the weakest link in the entire exhaust system is typically the y-pipe flex (the exception would be stressed steel). Based on what we hear from customers, some of these fail in less than a year, and many fail before two years. Some of these flexes are absolute junk. No one wants to try re-welding a y-pipe in a thin-walled stainless part - too easy to burn through the tubing - so a failed flex is usually the kiss of death for a cheap y-pipe.

Bottom line, its expensive to make a high quality manufactured part like the Cattman Y, but what you pay goes straight into the product and the difference in value is much greater than the difference in price. The profit margin on the $200 imported part is significantly higher (%-wise) than our margin on the US-made part.

No one else in the market is willing to set the same standards that we do - that might make us crazy, but its the customer that benefits.

Brian

 

We look forward to hearing from you!

Brian

 

Yeap his name is on it and they are putting out the best quality I wanted a cheaper exhaust like a Megan or something but then i said F33k It you only live once go with that 3in'' everybody's been talking about!!

 

Hey wanted to say Thanks B for the help today..BEST Y-PIPES hands down..

 

Thanks, we're getting some excellent feedback on this latest round of y-pipes, AND THE ARE IN STOCK NOW!

Brian