Replace M35 catalytic converter with straight pipe

[skinaman]

I took my 2006 M35 to a Nissan dealership because my check light is on. The tech said one of my catalytic converters are bad (B2). I've been searching and the part alone is looking to cost me over $1,000.00 ... A friend of mine said I could probably go straight Pipe and not replace the catalytic converter.

Any thoughts? Would anyone suggest this? how would this affect my car's performance if I went with straight Pipe?

Also, I've notice a difference in the car's performance and there is a clicking noise when i'm accelerating, the tech says the noise is coming from the catalytic converter. I also notice that oil is being burnt up quick. when i went for my last oil change the guy said i had almost no oil left in there even though i was keeping up with my maintenance on a regular schedule. I use Royal Purple synthetic oil

Any help will be appreciated.

[Double E]

Sounds bad.

Warranty period is up? If not, go to the "I" dealer now....yesterday.

It's against federal law to not have the converter installed and if your state does inspections and/or emissions, you won't pass. It should also trigger a CEL

(might not have a downstream O2 sensor? please correct me.)

Clicking could also be valves rattling because of low octane gas.

If warranty period is up, check oil often & find a boneyard cat replacement.

[skinaman]

Thanks much for your reply. I think you may be right about the low octane gas. When i bought the car (used) I was using 87 until someone told me the same thing about it possibly being valves so now i use 93 always. I will visit a junk yard tomorrow and see if i can get an OEM cat converter, otherwise i will just spend the money and get it done

[skinaman]

Wow! thanks for this info... I've seen much cheaper cats than the OEM that one dealer quoted me for $1500.00 but i was concerned about putting a cheaper part on my car that could cause problems later. i will definitely do some research for the high flow cats that you mentioned, but i'm not sure where to start. Most of what I've seen so far all says "universal". Do you know of any particular brands/part numbers i could search for. I called a local auto parts store, Advance Auto parts and they don't carry any but Autozone carries one for $200+ bucks. at that price I could replace both like you said and still end up saving by not getting the OEM part for $1500.00

please let me know if you know of any particular brand cats or part numbers... Thanks much again

[qship96]

First off......READ your owners manual.....it lists the correct minumum octane required for your car, it also goes over the length of WARRANTY for emissions control components {cat. convertor in your case} AND clearly states that it is up to owner TO CHECK and MAINTAIN proper oil level......seems like you failed on all the 3 very important items above!!!!! Take some responsibility as an owner

[atlM35]

Don't let the stealership take your money.

Test pipes go for around $100 for a set. Your car will sound a little sportier and you'll gain some power, but your exhaust will always smell bad. There's a way to pass emission testing even with test pipes using O2 sensor spacers.

The best route in my opnion: You can find reasonably priced high flow catalytic converters online.

Or, you can find OEM replacements.

[atlM35]

Don't let the stealership take your money.

Test pipes go for around $100 for a set. Your car will sound a little sportier and you'll gain some power, but your exhaust will always smell bad. There's a way to pass emission testing even with test pipes using O2 sensor spacers.

The best route in my opnion: You can find reasonably priced high flow catalytic converters online.

Or, you can find OEM replacements.

[skinaman]

qship: Thanks for your negative criticism my friend, but it would have been much more help if you at least attempted to answer one of my questions

infiniti_lineup & atlM35 thanks very much again for the info. I wouldn't mind the increased power and I live in FL so we no longer do emissions testing but I hate the bad smell the car gives off when cats go bad so I'm going to go with the high flow cats instead of just pipe. I will post an update once I get it done...

This site is GREAT! I should have been using it a long time. After this project I'm planning on adding OEM GPS Nav to the car since i have the base model. The dealer told me I couldn't do it and should consider a mobile NAV device but i saw an article on this forum that explains how to do it so I will see if I can get the parts at a junk yard or Ebay. Woohoo!!! SWEET

Thanks again guys :-)

[qship96]

qship: Thanks for your negative criticism my friend, but it would have been much more help if you at least attempted to answer one of my questions



Thanks again guys :-)

Actually, I addressed all 3 of your question/concerns.......the catalytic converter issue, the low oil issue, and the fuel octane requirement........just because I did not SPOON FEED you the answer does not mean you were not lead in the direction to help yourself.........matter of fact, I am the ONLY person here who gave you the advice on checking the emissions warranty length......potentially SAVING you the entire cost {$1000+ } of replacing the converter !!!!!

You know the old saying about giving a man a fish and his hunger is gone for a day......teach a man to fish and his hunger is gone for a lifetime?????

[fiveliterbeater]

Take a deep breath qship. Not a very nice way to welcome a new member on NICO.

...you gotta admit qship does have a point though...

[loystock]

It seems early for the cat to fail. And "qship" is correct about checking your emission warranty. Federal Emission warranty is 8 years/80,000 miles, whichever comes first. Warranty repair can only be done at an Infiniti dealership, not Nissan or other shops. But if your car has over 80K miles, you have to bite the bullet. Even so, there is no harm in calling/writing Infiniti Customer Service even if you are out of warranty as there is a possibility of "after warranty assistance."

BTW, what is your OCI (Oil Change Interval)? Oil consumption is more of an issue in the VK45 engine than VQ35.

[Gerald1987]

What did u eventually go with? I have a m35x and have the same issue right now. Trying to find the best and cheapest way to fix it

[svard75]

Your car is a street car which requires emissions controls. If you get straight pipe your SES light will remain on. The only way around this is to illegally have an O2 delete installed or programmed out of the ECU.

Keep our world fresh and clean smelling please.

[cruzad3r]

so when did we all turn into tree huggers?

go high flow cat and skip the OEM. also change your Y pipe while you're in there. Hell go complete with a cat back too

[svard75]

You don't have to be a jerk about my comment. My point was more from a systems issue and the fact that straight pipes stink when you're stuck driving behind someone with them. I'm all for hfc.

[Gerald1987]

Do u have any suggestions on brands and types?

[cruzad3r]

a little sensitive today there bro..

brand - anything that can bolt up to VQ35D engine and the best place to look is ebay. of course you should do a quick search on here or any of the 350z or G35 forum for more info

[TDot]

Even so, there is no harm in calling/writing Infiniti Customer Service even if you are out of warranty as there is a possibility of "after warranty assistance."

No uses, I'm at 85K and they said no.

[svard75]

A bit. Can't stand driving behind smelly cars. I'm always stuck in traffic on my way home and straight pipes drive me nuts.

Anyway there is a thread I started a week ago about HFC and some of the guys here posted up some good info. longer-term-hfc-reviews-t594220.html#p6613419

[fat3oy]

Defiantly go with test pipes - just make sure you do both sides...

The car will not smell any different to you once the steel is heated up... couple of days... unless you sit in your garage at idle.

You can buy extended bungs to pull the O2 out of the stream - and will not trigger a CEL. You have no emissions testing... do it...

If you are planning on tuning it - you can also just delete the secondary O2's and not bother with them at all...

[CPJ LB]

What did u eventually go with? I have a m35x and have the same issue right now. Trying to find the best and cheapest way to fix it

I'd search for used OE cats for emission purposes (to pass) then take them out and put on HFC (hi flow cats) or test pipes if you're interested in performance. You can get everything on the G35 Forums' classified sections (G35 Driver is a good source). Either way you go, the used OE cats, HFCs, test pipes from G35's will fit directly to our cars. Its a lot cheaper than buying brand new...

[josejulio]

What did u eventually go with? I have a m35x and have the same issue right now. Trying to find the best and cheapest way to fix it

I'd search for used OE cats for emission purposes (to pass) then take them out and put on HFC (hi flow cats) or test pipes if you're interested in performance. You can get everything on the G35 Forums' classified sections (G35 Driver is a good source). Either way you go, the used OE cats, HFCs, test pipes from G35's will fit directly to our cars. Its a lot cheaper than buying brand new...

Does the same apply for the m45? or is there another compatible vehicle with the m45? im having trouble finding converters for my m45.