y-pipe question...

[blackmax23]

I have a 99 max, CA emissions, and I desperately need a y-pipe, but I'm nervous about getting some more codes from o2 sensors and catalytic inefficiency (I have a high-flow cat), and so forth. If I buy a y-pipe, whether it be cattman, warpspeed, or whatever, will I trip any codes?

[Beancooker]

I have a 2001 Maxima and it has cali spec emissions. I use the warpspeed Y-pipe, and have never had a code thrown. You just have to buy the Y-pipe for cali cars, not federal cars.

[blackmax23]

Are all pre-cats removed? I've heard two different stories...one is that all of them are removed, and then the other story is that the front pre-cat stays, but I don't know. Any fitment issues with the warpspeed? And $175 for the aluminized is so much better than $350 for the stainless cattman, any issues I should know about, or is it worth double the money to go for the cattman?

[rxm6]

I would personally go with stainless steel unless you don't care about rust. Thats what the extra money is for. Look at budget too (http://www.lssexhaust.com) They are pretty reasonable. Though I don't know if their pipe will throw a code. I hope it doesn't.

[brianw]

On 89-94s no precats are removed.

On 95-99 CA and Fed-spec, the two front precats are removed. These y-pipes hence are not smog legal, however they should NOT trip a check engine light.

On the 99.5-03 CA-spec there are three precats, the 3rd one is integrated into the front exhaust manifold and is not removed; only two of the three are removed. I'm not sure about the Fed-spec for those years, but I think they have 3 as well. Again you should NOT trip the CEL.

Doesn't really matter-- just make sure you order the right one! If your car has FOUR o2 sensor plugs at the front of the engine, it's a 99.5 CA-spec or something else with the 3 precats.

Is WSP still selling Maxima y-pipes? I know they don't do maxima SFC's very often...

I would see if you can find a used one, since I know a few people have upgraded to full header systems, which necessitate both manifolds and y-pipes...

[blackmax23]

Sounds good, thanks guys! I think I'm gonna go with stainless, especially being in NY, the way the winters are here, that aluminized y pipe would last about a week! I'm just debating whether I want to shell out the extra dough for the cattman or not.

[brianw]

Oooo, yes, with winter snow you DEFINITELY want a stainless steel one. I'd grab a Cattman or a WSP... not sure who else makes nice SS ones right now.

[blackmax23]

Budget (LSS Exhaust) has a SS y-pipe, but I haven't heard much about them. They run around $235 with the Canadian exchange rate.

[rxm6]

I want to go with Budget but I haven't heard anything about them either. Does anyone on here have a budget? What do you think?

[brianw]

They were pretty well recommended as a cheap y-pipe when they first came out, not sure about now... but heck for that cheap, if you're concerned about money, go for it.

[NewfoundlandDude]

When I ordered my WARPSPEED Y-Pipe a few weeks ago, they insisted that their Aluminized will last just as long as their Stainless. She pointed out that most of your stock exhaust is aluminized to start with, and these last long enough. They recommended that unless you're looking for more shine, the aluminized is fine for all other purposes.

I think that they even come with a 4 or 5 year warranty against rust. Don't quote me on that, but i'm sure you could find something about it on their website.

Just my 2 cents......

[blackmax23]

Oh really, I'm just worried about the quality of warpspeed cuz I've heard some people say that when they brought the y-pipe to their local muffler shop, they laughed at the quality and said that they could've built a better one from scratch. But that's just one person, so I don't know. And as far as Budget goes, I don't know anything about them so it would take a lot for me to go with them. I'm so indecisive!

[maxhopper]

I want to go with Budget but I haven't heard anything about them either. Does anyone on here have a budget? What do you think?

I've had a budget y-pipe on my Maxima for at least 4 years, and have not had any problems. It does show some surface rust on the pipe itself, but no leaks from the flex section.

[blackmax23]

With all that said, which one do I go for? If aluminized will last me just as long as stainless (if what is said above is true, and stainless is basically for show purposes), then I should save myself some big money and buy the warpseed one for $175. Or, if I do want stainless, then I'd go with budget cuz they are $40 cheaper than the warpspeed's stainless y-pipe ($235). Any fitment issues with any of these or any problems at all for that matter?

[maxhopper]

It's just a matter of preference on which one to get.

I had no fitment issues with the budget y-pipe. The biggest pain was removing the stock nuts where the y-pipe bolts to the cat.

[brianw]

I haven't seen a current production WSP pipe, everything I've seen is 2+ years old, but the work was pretty decent. Not awesome, but pretty decent.

Given that the power produced is all the same, it really boils down to personal preference.

[NewfoundlandDude]

I haven't seen a current production WSP pipe, everything I've seen is 2+ years old, but the work was pretty decent. Not awesome, but pretty decent.

Here are some pics of the 99.5-01 VQ pipe that I received from WSP this week. It's gonna be sitting in the livingroom for a while until I round up some money to bring the Max to a transmission shop.......

Just an indication of their work.

















You can ignore the old ball hockey gear in the background.

[Beancooker]

The pipe "looks" the same, but you'll have to get some threaded plugs for the o2 sensor bungs you won't be using.

[A.Tech]

^ really? Are u sure there will be bungs that will be un-used?

[blackmax23]

First of all, thanks for the pix, those are some decent welds, not the best I've ever seen, but ok. Second of all, as far as the bungs go, would my cole muffler shop be able to install this y-pipe with the way the WSP y is set up? Is the Budget y-pipe ready for direct bolt on out of the box?

[maxhopper]

As long as you get the correct one for your vehicle, both should be ready to install out of the box. Any exhaust shop should be able to install a y-pipe without any problem.

[lowblocks]

i have a ypipe but every where i go they want to charge me a a$$ hole full of money what is a good price to pay to put it on

[NewfoundlandDude]

Since it's really a DIY installation, it shouldn't be much work. On the other hand, you really almost need a lift. I know a guy that teaches a mechanics course at one of the local colleges, I think that I'm going to get him to do it as a class presentation. What can really go wrong with a DIY installation that comes with its own instruction sheet?

I would look into something like that if you're really worried about the cost of getting it installed. It shouldn't be that expensive since it's just a direct bolt on. Nothing has to be removed except the stock Y & Cat.......

[maxhopper]

I had my whole cat-back exhaust installed for $50. Just call around to some small exhaust shops and ask for pricing.

[lowblocks]

see the problem im having is with the o2 senser every one is saying they are hard to take out is that true

[maxhopper]

No not really. a 22mm wrench and some PB Blaster should do the trick.