Category

my4thgen 95-99

Category

Owner: Paul James

Year: 1997
Model: Maxima 30G
Color: Artic White Pearl (QN0)
Engine: VQ30DE
Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic
Trim: 30G

Additional Notes:

  • Possibly the only Maxima 30G in the UK. Imported from Perth, Australia, the car has been well-maintained and kept in dry storage. 
  • 18″ Work Sporbo Fevore L *RARE JDM WHEELS
  • 168,500 KM
  • Sale Price: £4,500 ($5,715.67 USD)

 

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Member Credit: ViperVadim

The purpose of this thread is to compare the available headers for the 95-03 VQ3x Maximas. I’ve managed to get together the following different headers in the same room and do this comparison.

Click the image to open in full size.I was able to pull it off thanks to:

  • speed racer for SSAuto/XS Power
  • secondtonone317 for OBX
  • M&R MAX for Hotshots
  • Maximariceboi for Cattmans
  • tavarish for the Stock Fed Spec header (thanks to qnzmax too)

Let the comparison begin:

Stock for Stock (Federal Emissions vs California Emissions)

There are the two types of Stock VQ front headers:

  • 95-00 Federal Emissions Header
  • 99-00 California and ALL 2001+ Header

Click the image to open in full size.The California front header is a system that incorporates a Huge pre-cat (cat converter) doing it’s job for the environment.

Click the image to open in full size.

The pre-cat up close is big, and the stock headers are restrictive to the exhaust gasses flowing through.

Click the image to open in full size.

The front headers kinda look similar, until you look inside them.

Click the image to open in full size.

The fed spec has a round exit hole and has superior internal flow to the Cali-spec, the shape of the openning on the cali spec is irregular, and more restrictive.

Click the image to open in full size.Click the image to open in full size.

The bends and rough edges inside the manifold all hinder exhaust flow, creating backpressure.

Furthermore the outlet after the pre-cat on the cali spec is much smaller than the fed, with an oxygen sensor placed directly in the exhaust path restricting even more flow.

Click the image to open in full size.Click the image to open in full size.

Tthe rear VQ header is unchanged from 95-01.(EGR is closed off with a Large Bolt on all 01’s) But in 02+ ALL rear headers also received a pre-cat similar to the california front header in 99.

Here is a pic of 02+ rear header pre-cat, used from BLAKKILLA.GTR, thanks Man

Click the image to open in full size.

Now everybody knows what all maximas come with from the factory. As you can see from the pictures the Stock headers are designed very cost effectively, they comply with auto standards and compromise heavily between good Fuel Economy and power output. (Very Bad for HorsePower)

Before we discuss Aftermarket Headers we need to discuss:

EGR: Which cars have EGR?

  • All 95-00 Maximas Have external EGR.
  • All 01-03 Maximas have NO (external) EGR.

This is the EGR guide tube used on all 95-00.
Click the image to open in full size.

This is how the EGR bolts into the REAR header – and why you need the EGR bung on the rear header.
Click the image to open in full size.

GASKETS

Aftermarket Headers will come with Aftermarket Gaskets (read as: POS Gaskets).

The difference between POS and OEM

Click the image to open in full size.

DO NOT USE the supplied POS Gaskets! They cannot stand up to the heat of the headers. The gaskets are prone to cracking. OEM gaskets are multi-layered Steel and provide the best seal.

Click the image to open in full size.

OEM Multilayer FTW!

Click the image to open in full size.Click the image to open in full size.

XS Power/SSAutochrome/Stone Mountain Racing Headers

These are the very first headers designed and mass produced for the maxima, it has went trough many names, but not so many changes, the latest distributor is XS Power.
This is the only system that can be used with a Budget/Cattman/Warpspeed y-pipe, meaning if you already have a (Fed Spec) aftermarket y-pipe, the headers will bolt right up to it. I still prefer to use the Supplied XS Power Y-pipe (for ideal fitment)

Cost $325 

Click the image to open in full size.

Click the image to open in full size.

They are derived from the stock header design except they have a nice flow improvement. every runner is separate, and merges into a 3-1 collector. They have much better flow over stock.

Click the image to open in full size.Click the image to open in full size.

This is the flow improvement, you can see the 3-1 collector.

Click the image to open in full size.

The rear header has longer runners than the front with EGR bung as well

Click the image to open in full size.

Fresh from vipervadim’s paint shop

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However when comparing them to the header system from OBX you can clearly see the difference between long and short runners.

Click the image to open in full size.

With short runners, peak power is delivered earlier in the powerband. low-end and midrange is emphasized. (at top-end the headers are choking the motor)

with longer runners, peak power is delivered later in the rpm range. Midrange and Top-end power are affected better since the engine has less backpressure and less restriction for exhaust gasses.

Stats:

Header:
A. Runner Inlet (oval) 1 3/4W x 1 1/4H
B. Runner Diameter (outer) – 1 5/8in
C. Runner Length – Front (5, 5 1/2, 10 1/2) Rear (7, 8, 8 1/2) in
D. 3-1 Collector Diameter (inner) – 2 1/8 in

Y-Pipe
E. Y-Pipe Diameter (outer) – 2 1/8 -> 2 3/8in.
F. Collector Diameter (inner) – 2 1/4
G. Not Equal Length W/ EGR

OBX

OBX is not new to Maxima headers, they used to have this (below) header system for the 95-99 Maxima, 3-piece design, however they had a big fitment problem: the front header was right in the way of the front motor mount bracket (needed to be cut), and the rear header joined the y-pipe in a 90 degree bend (bad exhaust flow).

 I WOULD NOT Advise buying it because of Bad Fitment.

OBX has however smartened up from ^^those times^^ and completely redesigned their New Maxima Header System (fits 95-03, same VQ block) and this is what they offer:

Cost – $325 

Click the image to open in full size.

They have improved from the original header design, redesigning the whole system. the new design is now 2-piece. It incorporates long runners in the front header, with the mount issue solved (similar to hotshots design), and a distinctly improved 2-1 collector, eliminating the previous 90-degree bend. the rear header (with EGR bung) is integrated into the y-pipe as one piece

Click the image to open in full size.

This is how the system looks put together.

Click the image to open in full size.

Notice there are 4 o2 bungs for the front and rear oxygen sensors (ideal for 99+ cali spec), there is also 2 small flex sections instead of a single.

Click the image to open in full size.

I am very impressed with the OBX, they officially put themselves back on the map with their new redesigned Maxima headers. for the price and the end-result, this is the ideal header system for a ‘budget minded’ maxima enthusiast. I think the SSAuto/XS Power have met their downfall, because the OBX are in a similar price range offering a better designed system similar to (cattman and hotshot). I still have yet to find out how well they fit or how well they perform.

However the new OBX has it’s one drawback. unlike the Cattman and Hotshot and even the SSauto/XS Power Y-pipes, the inside diameter of the y-pipe outlet is only 2 1/16in, (outside diameter 2 1/8) smaller than stock.

Click the image to open in full size.

If you can replace the flex section and the outlet piece with 2.5in piping more gains will be had in the midrange and top-end.

Stats:

Header:
A. Runner Inlet (oval) 1 3/4W x 1 1/4H
B. Runner Diameter (outer) – 1 5/8in
C. Runner Length – Front (9 1/2, 11, 14 1/2) Rear (9 1/2, 10 3/4, 12) in
D. 3-1 Collector Diameter (inner) – 2 1/16 in

Y-Pipe
E. Y-Pipe Diameter (outer) – 2 1/8 -> 2 1/8in.
F. Collector Diameter (inner) – 2 1/16
G. Not Equal Length, W/ EGR

Hotshot

Hotshot is Out Of Business, so the Headers are no longer produced. There are some resellers who still have the last remaining stock, and of course the people who bought/installed them.

Cost $639 

Hotshot headers are on par with Cattman. they look very similar and the construction is very good. According to my measurements the Hotshots have the longest header runners and longer equal length runners on the y-pipe. They also have well machined inlet and oulets.

Click the image to open in full size.

The only problem with Hotshots: In the Front header, the O2 bung needs to be welded in another location. The original location puts it too close to the A/C compressor. Also depending on what year maxima you have, you will need to weld in an EGR bung to the rear header, since the Hotshots do not have EGR.

Click the image to open in full size.

Headers put together
Click the image to open in full size.Click the image to open in full size.

Fresh from vipervadim’s paint shop
Click the image to open in full size.

Stats:

Header:
A. Runner Inlet (oval) 1 7/8W x 1 5/16H
B. Runner Diameter (outer) – 1 5/8in
C. Runner Length – Front (15, 15 1/2, 20) Rear (12 1/2, 14, 15 1/4) in
D. 3-1 Collector Diameter (inner) – 2in

Y-Pipe
E. Y-Pipe Diameter (outer) – 2 1/8 -> 2 1/2in.
F. Collector Diameter (inner) – 2 7/16
G. Equal Length (23 1/2in each) W/ NO EGR

The Hotshots like the Cattman headers have equal length runners (notice the round bend at the rear header), unlike the SSAuto and OBX.

Equal length pipes help the sound and they provide less backpressure.

Cattman

Price is somewhere around $850+ ShippedNewest ‘Gen2’ Version of the legendary Cattman Headers. Cattman switched to a 3-piece design like the Hotshots from their 4-piece ‘Gen1’ header design. Cattman is a full integrated system, the most expensive headers for the maxima, they are also made wit the most time and precision. there are no big bends in the Cattman piping, every piece is mandrel bent slightly then welded together to form a larger bend. Header runners and Y-pipe runners too.

Click the image to open in full size.

Cattman does it right: O2 bung in correct location, there are NO issue with the Cattmans. (you get what you pay for?)

Click the image to open in full size.Put together
Click the image to open in full size.Click the image to open in full size.Fresh from vipervadim’s paint shop

Click the image to open in full size.

Stats:Header:
A. Runner Inlet (oval) 1 11/16W x 1 1/4H
B. Runner Diameter (outer) – 1 5/8in
C. Runner Length – Front (12 1/2, 13, 16) Rear (12, 12 1/2, 13) in
D. 3-1 Collector Diameter (inner) – 2in
Y-Pipe
E. Y-Pipe Diameter (outer) – 2 1/8 -> 2 1/2in.
F. Collector Diameter (inner) – 2 3/8
G. Equal Length (20in each) W/ EGR
 

Header Comparison:

Here are pictures of the various headers compared to one another. This is the Group shot after Painting.

Click the image to open in full size.

So here we go: Many people have been asking me about this:

Cattman + Hotshot, just how different are they?First the y-pipes, notice how similar they are the only real difference is in the shape of the bend, the hotshot has a gentler bend, but the cattman is more steeper.

Click the image to open in full size.Click the image to open in full size.

Now onto the headers, you can really see how longer the hotshot runners are compared to Cattman. the Cattman has great 3-1 collectors.

Click the image to open in full size.Click the image to open in full size.Click the image to open in full size.

Hotshot and OBX

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Cattman and OBX
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Cattman, Hotshot, and OBX the 3 top contenders.

Click the image to open in full size.

This concludes my headers comparison.

So which headers are the Best?

You Decide — depending on your price range/preference. Thank You to everybody who helped out.

 

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Credit: Justin Morrison

Everyone I spoke to about this insisted that the entire fuel rail needed to be removed to change the injectors. However, I found a video demonstrating a way to do it without removing the fuel rail. The injector only cost me $2, and now the car is running as well as it did before all the issues. I hope this information helps someone else. You have no idea how happy we are that it’s finally fixed!

 

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