skybluerotary

Hello

I guess I joined the forum while back but never posted anything yet.

I probably bought something in classified thread.

Anyways, I have 2004 model and it's been giving me all kinds of headache because I got jacked from Mazda Dealership.

I purchased the car not long ago, and it was a good deal I thought because the car had 09 re-manufactured engine installed at that dealership.

What an machine. I've owned many other cars before but no other factory tuned car turns, stop, and go like RX8 does for that price level.

I was very happy for about 1 month after the car starts giving me lot of problems due to the crappy engine installation and dealerships lies and scamming.

Exhaust fumes been coming through the cabin and it makes me light headed and now the car is trying to kill me. According to the dealership, it stinks because Catalytic converter is on its way out they say and I barely put 4000 miles in the car for past 8 months.

I take that complete BS. It is possible but I am pretty sure that they didn't install it right.

They messed up on the clutch, so bearing makes noise, I noticed couple nuts and bolts were loosen after I carefully looked at it, and I am pretty sure He didn't install the gasket right or maybe used old one that's not in good shape.

Taking the car to other shop to get the mess taken care of.

BS Mazda dealer only offered me 10% discount on the labor and Catalytic converter and clutch bearing change, they quoted me $3000. LOL

I think if the gasket is bad, I'll just have other shop replace is and maybe change the Catalystic converter to other one from Racing beat.

I am not really down to spend $1100 on the CAT so I was wondering which way would be good.

I searched and found...

1. Magna flow (Cat will not last long)

2. Straight Pipe (Sound too loud, and exhaust gas smells)

3. USED OEM cat for $300~400 (Condition unknown so gambling)

4. New OEM Cat (Price is too high around $1100)

5. Racing beat (Heard good thing but never seen it myself)

6. You guys other opinion

I don't know what is better since this was totally unexpected expense to me, because I made a very bad mistake by trusting DEALERSHIP.

BTW Nice to meet you guys.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

It would cost more than the price of the engine to install a Series 2 engine in a Series 1. You have a reman engine, but it is not a 2009 engine. Significant physical differences that also require significant electronics differences, which means replacing everything electrical in the car since it all runs through the ECU.

I don't really see a specific question here, so if you have one, you might want to clarify so we can more accurately assist

ShinkaEvo

iTrader: (3)

get a aftermarket cat....or just go catless.
Magna flow has cats as cheap as 100 or less, find a shop and weld it in.
Don'[t know if it'll pass smog or not, depends on where u are.
I haven't heard of anything put another OEM cat outside of the warranty, simple cuz' of the price.

skybluerotary

Hello. Thanks for the quick reply. I was editing the post to give more detail.

They said the core is from 2009. I guess according to your post, they lied to me again! LOL

Part number shows N3h3-02-200r-v0 $2101.00

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Also, because they installed a reman doesn't mean you get a new clutch throw out bearing, they just reuse the old one unless a new one is paid for by the owner. They also don't install a new cat converter with the reman so I don't see how the dealer is at fault there either. You bought a 10 year old car and you are having 10 year old car problems.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Did they put that is writing? Who told you this, a sales guy? more than likely it was a reman installed in 2009. You can call Mazda North America and find out.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

I believe he is in California, all though he hasn't entered his location in his profile yet. That means running catless or using a midpipe is out of the question. His only option is a OEM cat of new or used condition (due to state emissions requirements).

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

He should be able to find a Good cat locally...I have 2 in my garage....so simeone in Calu must have an extra

DeaconBlooze

Cats dont fail for no reason. I wouldnt suggest throwing in another until you get it properly diagnosed.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

They don't fail for no reason, obviously there is a reason they fail. But they often fail prematurely on the RX-8 for various reasons.

Mazdaspeed RX8 ver2

Hey hey! Where in CA are you at exactly, northern california or southern california? This is definitely another Mazda Reman horror story and dealerships are just terrible in general. If you're in northern california, i can definitely recommend you to a great shop to have your car looked at.

Also, are there any CEL's popping up on your vehicle? How many total miles are on your vehicle as well? Exhaust fumes definitely could mean bad cat but by the workmanship you described, the exhaust gaskets could be missing causing the fumes to leak out. Were you able to check the honeycomb in the cat as well? I currently am running an RP supercat and passed smog with it in CA.

RP Supercat:
Rotary Performance | Yes, it’s fast.

Definitely have a shop look at the engine installation and i would have it definitely reinstalled by someone more trustworthy and inspected.

mono4lamar

skybluerotary are you in CA? Before jumping to any conclusion and replacing parts try to post a little more information. Do you have any codes or PENDING CEL? Try replacing the gasket before you even attempt buying a new cat or anything expensive. An exhaust leak will really hurt catalyst efficiency...

skybluerotary

thanks guys for posts

I am in socal.

I got myself obd ii scanner and nothing came out yet.

Also dealer didnt say anything yet except for the cat is going bad. But who knows, they are scammers lol

I only had one code poped long time ago, it was secondary intake valve if im remembering correctly.

I didnt know why until I saw rx8 tip, I didntrev the car above 6k rpm regularly.

Car has 51000 milea on the chassis and 4000 miles on the engine. Car was never modified.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

The only way to know if the cat is going bad is to take it down from the front and look inside. If you see a nice honeycomb network, then it is probably fine for now.
Cat's go bad, plug up, because unburned fuel is going out the exhaust. Keeping the plugs and coils in good shape will help with that. They can also burn out if your exhaust is too hot/lean. This is a problem with an improper tune.
If the cat does plug up, you can take down the front and stick a rod in there to open that up. This will get you by for a short time until you can get a new cat.