o2 sensor help

[96_max]

Hello, I am new here and I just bought a Maxima on monday and I love it. I already put my custom intake in and now I want to move on to exhaust. I was thinking about doing a 2 1/2" from the downpipe back. So I figured I would check to see where the o2 sensors are on the car. And the one on the cat. isnt even connected. So, my question is how should I go about this? Should I just go cat-back and reconnect the o2 sensor or should I go with my original plan and just remove the cat. and not worry about the o2 sensor since it hasnt been plugged in anyways for who knows how long. Any help would be appreciated.

[jltibbs]

welcome to nico.

just plug that sensor back in and get a bolt on exhaust.

just to be completely honest, i had FIVE different exhaust setups on my maxima, and it took this one to make me happy. get something like that or the complete cattman setup. the cattman complete exhaust system will be your overall best performance gains period.

[Mike G]

Hello, I am new here and I just bought a Maxima on monday and I love it. I already put my custom intake in and now I want to move on to exhaust. I was thinking about doing a 2 1/2" from the downpipe back. So I figured I would check to see where the o2 sensors are on the car. And the one on the cat. isnt even connected. So, my question is how should I go about this? Should I just go cat-back and reconnect the o2 sensor or should I go with my original plan and just remove the cat. and not worry about the o2 sensor since it hasnt been plugged in anyways for who knows how long. Any help would be appreciated.

First off, welcome aboard!

Secondly, since I'm an old-timer, isn't a downpipe required on a turbo car and not found on one of these cars? I would have to agree that you need to plug that sensor in, but why aren't you getting a Check Engine Light? You may want to look under the dash and see if the bulb has been disconnected or burnt out... It would be a shame to run into emission issues with your new ride.

--Mike

[96_max]

Well, I would like to get a complete system but I don't really have the money for it.

[96_max]

Your right, my bad I'm just used to saying downpipe because I used to have a DSM. I meant the Y-pipe. The check engine light is on. Since I don't have the money for a complete system maybe I should just get a high flow cat and do a custom 2 1/2" from the cat back? I plan on getting headers and a Y pipe as well.

[Mike G]

Your right, my bad I'm just used to saying downpipe because I used to have a DSM. ....

Gone through two TSI's and a GSX in past three years myself....--Mike

[jltibbs]

i'll be 100% completely honest. if you want exhaust, save up and do it RIGHT. lets add this up for a second:

first muffler- $60install - $20

$80 total. now lets add the fact that i did not like the way it sounded:

removed resonator - $20

$100 total. now its louder, but theres drone, sputter on deceleration, and it sounds a little .

second muffler - $150install - $20

$270 total. looks better, little quieter, still sputters and i dont feel theres enough power.

remove factory b-pipe (pipe after cat to muffler) and have 'custom' 2.5" pipe run - $60

$330 total. little more power, but now the system rattles. muffler is louder and still sputters.

third muffler - $215install with new pipe - $80

$625 total. looks sweet, nice tone, still sputters. then i realize it looks

fourth muffler - $175headers - $300install - $500

$1600 total. looks great again, more power, deep tone, but it still sputters and started rattling again.

add resonator (cheap glass pack run backwards) - $20install and pipe adjustment - $50

$1670 total. sounds 100 times better, looks good.

then i buckle down and realize what i should have done in the first place: get a bolt on exhaust setup.

vibrant performance bolt on cat back - $500install - $50

$2220 total spent. if you break it down, it could have been like this:

vibrant performance bolt on cat back - $500headers - $300install - $550

$1350 total cost. moral of the story: save up, bolt on!