My Kakumei Y-Pipe Review

I think the stock y pipes on the maxima had resonators on them, but you're right, that shouldn't cause it to fail smog. It had cai, that's about it.
 
puhahacj said:
I think the stock y pipes on the maxima had resonators on them, but you're right, that shouldn't cause it to fail smog. It had cai, that's about it.
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CAI could do it, which is why some come with CARB stickers (JWT or K&N).

Anyway, you should be fine and you'll enjoy the Y pipe. Go for it!

If you have an intake now, make sure it's has a CARB sticker (am I saying that right?) I just know I got a sticker for my JWT one and my old K&N one.
 
OEM y pipe vs. kakumei y pipe

I put on my nismo cat-back about a month ago, but could not use the nismo y pipe. i reused the stock y. is there any reason or benefit to replacing the stock y with the kakumei y pipe? :confused:
 
wiseguywm said:
I put on my nismo cat-back about a month ago, but could not use the nismo y pipe. i reused the stock y. is there any reason or benefit to replacing the stock y with the kakumei y pipe? :confused:
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Better flow. The Kakumei Y stays ~2.5" throughout (some have dual outlets of 3.0"), where the OEM is pressure bent and where the gases meet, the diameter is very small. I never measured but visually smaller. There is no issue with going from 2.5" to 3.0", which is the case anyway with your OEM.
 
sorry to bring up a dead thread...my stock ypipe is DEAD. holes in it, a crack, a different flex pipe on one side.....so I need a replacement. Is the Kakumei stock sized or is it bigger diameter?

Also...they raised the price to $250 + $100 shipping... any better alternatives?
 
I am not sure but the kakumei is one of the few that offer a y pipe for awd, I bought mines and I can say it is better but it did bolt right up and not problems that I have noticed. I still have the stock y pipe as well but the only thing I had to do was drill out the holes that bolt up to the down pipe to half inch.
 
just bought the kakumei...payed $400 because I need it overnighted. I should get it tuesday.
 
herostar said:
Did you get it installed? How does it sound? Notice any performance gain?
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yeah I installed it myself, it sounds deeper and has more of growl to it, but i didnt really get a chance to hear it because I had to put my car into storage the day after....
There isn't going to be any performance gain with it, maybe 2hp tops. I just did it because my OEM Y had 3456789876543245678 cracks and some holes it it where it rusted through.
 
No issues with mine, comparing the flex on the kakumei looks a little beefier than OEM.
 
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Sorry I actually meant Megan and not OEM. I've seen them both.
 
Y-pipe on Maximas took off the pre-cats. The 95-99 Maximas were early OBD2 cars so they had pre-cats to reduce emissions before the main cat warmed up. Now manufacturers just put the main cats right off of the exhaust manifold so that solves the problem. But on the FX/G/Z, the Y-pipe is after the cats so no emission problems. I had a '97 Maxima and it passed emissions even w/ no cats and a turbo. Just had to reset the ECU and then had a few minute window between when readiness set and when the CEL came on. Wasn't quite as sensitive as modern cars lol.
puhahacj said:
I think the stock y pipes on the maxima had resonators on them, but you're right, that shouldn't cause it to fail smog. It had cai, that's about it.
Click to expand...
 
So my Megan y pipe flex joint is leaking 100% sure. any review updates on if Kakumei's are lasting?
 
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