[gr8titan]

Finally got my final exhaust mod completed: My 4x4 rear cats replaced with 2 1/2 inch straight flow T-304 SS resonators.

This is a two sided honest to goodness personal opinion/analysis on this mod.

First the positive. There is a slight deeper tone change, slight improvement of throttle response, and marked imrovement in the "looks" department (see links below my SIG to view my exhaust). After examining the OEM 2nd row cats, I was amazed why Nissan even installed these (1st thumbnail) converters. They are only about 2 inches thick (about same size as the widest portion of the cats) and seem to be very fragile. They appear very restrictive (see thumbnails).

And here's the negative: After spending $312 for quality labor and T-304 SS tubing (plus I supplied the resos too), I could have achieved the same performance goal by punching holes into the "honeycomb" cats to open it up, vacumm all the residuals and presto: OEM looking cats functioning as straight pipes (4x4 models only). Since the O2 sensors are upstream, it would have not affected the computer readings anyway. I could have saved myself 400 big ones just for this mod.

Well, everything is done. I have little regrets knowing that knowledge comes after experience and this is one expensive (though good looking) mod that is not worth the cost (only because of the free alternative--removal of the honeycomb catalyst) and using the casing to act as a straight pipe.

I will be adding the "installed" thumbnails in a few days and will also update my website for the entire installation.