I was gifted a 97 Maxima that needs a little work. It drives, but on hard acceleration she will sputter and then die. It'll restart just fine with a little gas. I took it to Autozone to get the codes ran and I have P1447, P0100, P0400.

The person who gave it to me says it'll the catalyic converter but I rather try cleaning or replacing smaller things before getting to that. Suggestions on where to start?

 

Looks like you need a good mid-life service.

P1447 - Evap System - Check to see if the canister is leaking charcoal into the evap system.

P0400 - EGR tube most likely clogged. Check out how to clean and gasket the EGR system.

P0100 - Mass Air Flow.

 

If you are gifted the car and plan on keeping it for a long time, then buy an oem original nissan mass air flow sensor from amazon. You will be trouble free for a long time. I did the same for my maxima. heres the link for the sensor

 

go to a junkyard and find an oem one off of a lower mileage motor if possible. aftermarket ones are touch and go.

 

Do this first. Then buy a new one if you cant find one.