Terminology?

Okay, I'll probably take the heat for being ignorant, but...I hear the terms Y-pipe, B-pipe, catback, etc.

There was a recent post that explained exactly what the Y-pipe is and I'm thankful that someone helped clarify that term, but can someone take a moment to explain what the various parts of the exhaust system are and what modding them accomplishes (read the rest of this post before sending a biting reply)?

The catalytic converter to me serves the purpose of burning off gasses. The muffler keeps your car from being too noisy. Am I being too simple here??

I've had modified exhaust systems on my old V-8's ever since the early 70's (i.e. back before catalytic converters). The idea was always that anything that restricted the flow of the exhaust was bad. Headers were good, straight pipes were better, glasspacks were (illegal) awesome... So I'm basically familiar with the concepts of back-pressure, etc. although I don't fully understand them. To tell the truth, however, I've never heard a modified exhaust system yet on the ricers that run around here that doesn't sound like someone farting in a tin can...and who wants that??? ;o)

What is a catback? Does that refer to everything after the catalytic converter?

Also, when I looked at my exhaust system last night, there is a "bullet shaped" device in the exhaust line just after the catalytic converter. What is that?

My muffler is starting to peel away like an onion. I know I will need to replace it soon. Is there anything on the market that will allow proper venting of the exhaust system without sounding as obnoxious as all these kids running around? I'm past the stage in life where I want my exhaust system to be heard two blocks away when I "goose it" a little, plus I don't like the look of the big round ends (did I already say something about tin cans?) I see sticking out from most of the ricers I see. But I like the looks of the dual tip muffler on my '94 and would like to keep that same look, if possible.

I'm sure I've stepped on a few toes here, but can someone help with this terminology??

Thanks!

cat back means from the catalytic convertor, but not including it, and back. which is just a mid pipe(connects Catalytic convertor to muffler) and muffler, which muffles the noise. they make "high-flow" catalytic convertors but they only show increases of 2 hp or so, so most people just pass. the headers are the exhaust manifold, there's doesn't seem to be much benefit though for maxima's under a 2000.

a lot of people who want to avoid the noisiness get a mid pipe and then go with a stock 2000+ maxima muffler since it has a design that varies the flow to increase low end and high end performance.

Yup BP pretty much said it all.

A catback is just a bpipe and muffler. Headers haven't shown great gains on N/A Maximas, but Forced Induction Maximas will probably see a huge gain from them.

This is how the exhaust is setup. Headers, Ypipe, Catalyic, Bpipe, Muffler.

And you stated your muffler is going. Well I have read that Magnaflows with just stock is exhaust are fairly quiet, and give great notes.

http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/mirrorfinish/gifs/parts/14815.jpg

I love the look of that one! Go here to check out more: http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/mirrorfinish/streetseries.htm

If you decide you want a magnaflow, eBay has tons of them for great prices!

Thanks, guys.

So, the b-pipe is the mid pipe that connects the cat to the muffler. What is the bullet shaped device that sits right behind the catalytic convertor? Is that a resonator or something? What purpose does that serve? Does it have to be kept in the system if I end up replacing the b-pipe as well?

I like the looks of that Magnaflow also. I'll probably check that out. I was concerned initially, though, when I looked at Magnaflows before that they would produce a lot more noise than the stock muffler. Any feedback on that?

The bullet shape device is a precat. There is one before and after the catalytic converter.