CEL after gutting cat
03-13-2007 | 06:34 PM
#1
Thread Starter
dorito spinner
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 167
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From: South Jersey
CEL after gutting cat
After about a half hour of cruising after gutting the cat I got a CEL. So I reset the ecu, and it seems to be fine but.....
In the 8....when the CEL illuminates, does it cause the car to run differently? meaning am i at a higher risk of breaking stuff/running lean with the CEL on other than off. Or is the CEL just telling me somethings wrong.
In the 8....when the CEL illuminates, does it cause the car to run differently? meaning am i at a higher risk of breaking stuff/running lean with the CEL on other than off. Or is the CEL just telling me somethings wrong.
03-13-2007 | 07:39 PM
#3
He's as bad as Can
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,309
Likes: 2
From: Manchester, NJ
Originally Posted by RXSeven1
After about a half hour of cruising after gutting the cat
Originally Posted by RXSeven1
Or is the CEL just telling me somethings wrong.
03-13-2007 | 08:34 PM
#6
Thread Starter
dorito spinner
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 167
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From: South Jersey
I heard that gutting that cat as opposed to a midpipe will reduce the chance of CEL
My best friend has a 8 too. When i need to pass inspection Ill borrow his Cat.
Gutting the cat is insignificantly louder than stock.
My best friend has a 8 too. When i need to pass inspection Ill borrow his Cat.
Gutting the cat is insignificantly louder than stock.
03-13-2007 | 08:39 PM
#7
Thread Starter
dorito spinner
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 167
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From: South Jersey
Originally Posted by mmats69
oh yea, you just voided your warranty in its entirety. period.
WHY is everyone so friggen anti and negative? i thought this through before i did it. As i stated, I have access to more than one spare cat. If the car breaks, i switch it. Additonally, my car will be out of warrenty in about a month due to the fact I have 55,xxx miles.
03-13-2007 | 08:48 PM
#8
We think it's funny that you were surprised that you have a CEL with no CAT 
There are only about 300 threads on this already.........
Just don't ask about an O2 fooler next...or we will reload!
There are only about 300 threads on this already.........
Just don't ask about an O2 fooler next...or we will reload!
03-13-2007 | 09:45 PM
#10
Originally Posted by mmats69
if the CEL is for O2 sensor, then yes it will affect performance. the ECU senses too much emmissions so it will pull timing to get back in compliance.
03-13-2007 | 10:38 PM
#11
Thread Starter
dorito spinner
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 167
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From: South Jersey
I've read all the threads, i searched, i have experience with rotarys.
The reason i asked is because the FD will go into some thing called limp mode. i didnt know whether the advanced ecu of the 8 would do something like that.
The reason i asked is because the FD will go into some thing called limp mode. i didnt know whether the advanced ecu of the 8 would do something like that.
03-13-2007 | 11:21 PM
#12
Rotary Superstar
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 472
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From: Maryland
Originally Posted by mmats69
if the CEL is for O2 sensor, then yes it will affect performance. the ECU senses too much emissions so it will pull timing to get back in compliance. put a high-flow cat on there and be done with it. oh yea, you just voided your warranty in its entirety. period.
I'm almost 100% positive you are completely false. As far as I know, the first O2 sensor is where all the timing advance/retard happen. At the beginning of the exhaust stream (note: pre-catalytic converter) is the only place in the exhaust you can get an accurate reading on AFR, temperature, etc.
The second O2 sensor is AFTER the first catalytic "beehive" section..and would get skewed readings, which could not be used to calculate anything regarding engine performance.
Not to mention, only a completely retarded person (not pointing any fingers here..) would think that the warranty is completely void. That's just not knowledgeable. Under the Magnuson-Moss warranty act, the addition of after market parts alone does not mandate a void of ones warranty. Only if the car maker can prove (at least, to an undereducated judge) that this part caused a problem on your car, can they void the warranty on the part of the car that THAT piece applies to.
If your after market cat clogs up, and caused the engine to fail, they could legally void the warranty on your engine, all of its components, and possibly the rest of your drive train. But it would not void your entire warranty.
03-14-2007 | 04:27 PM
#16
the WANKEL made me do it
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 317
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From: Pittsburgh
Originally Posted by mmats69
if the CEL is for O2 sensor, then yes it will affect performance. the ECU senses too much emmissions so it will pull timing to get back in compliance. put a high-flow cat on there and be done with it. oh yea, you just voided your warranty in its entirety. period.
The o2 sensor responsible for that particular CEL has nothing to do with performance.From Racing Beat's website:
Racing Beat offers a full 304-stainless steel catalytic converter replacement pipe for RX-8 racing applications. This mandrel-bent 3” OD racing pipe is a direct bolt-on replacement for the stock catalytic converter section. This pipe utilizes a genuine OEM rear mounting flange for a secure fit to the stock (or an aftermarket) exhaust system. (See photo below.) The race pipe is equipped with a sensor fitting for the oxygen sensor. (Note: Placement of the sensor in the pipe will cause the “check engine” light to be illuminated, but performance and engine systems will not be affected.)
Last edited by Mazda-Rati; 03-14-2007 at 04:33 PM.
03-14-2007 | 09:49 PM
#18
Thread Starter
dorito spinner
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 167
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From: South Jersey
Originally Posted by mmats69
if the CEL is for O2 sensor, then yes it will affect performance. the ECU senses too much emmissions so it will pull timing to get back in compliance. put a high-flow cat on there and be done with it. oh yea, you just voided your warranty in its entirety. period.
Pwnd
03-16-2007 | 08:44 AM
#21
Stinkin' Evo comment.....
The ECU has a check mode that will find an O2 fooler - this isn't the primitive setup used by an Evo.
A couple of defoulers will probably work for an Evo, but when the ECU checks, the CEL will come back.
....the little 'fooler chip' won't work either, bills to prove.
S
A couple of defoulers will probably work for an Evo, but when the ECU checks, the CEL will come back.
....the little 'fooler chip' won't work either, bills to prove.
S
03-16-2007 | 12:49 PM
#23
Rotary Superstar
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 472
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From: Maryland
Originally Posted by StealthTL
The ECU has a check mode that will find an O2 fooler - this isn't the primitive setup used by an Evo.
A couple of defoulers will probably work for an Evo, but when the ECU checks, the CEL will come back.
....the little 'fooler chip' won't work either, bills to prove.
S
A couple of defoulers will probably work for an Evo, but when the ECU checks, the CEL will come back.
....the little 'fooler chip' won't work either, bills to prove.
S
Well, since your so versed on the subject, I figure I should direct my question to you:
With my resonated mid pipe, my CEL comes on about 50-75 miles after I reset it. If I were to clear the CEL right outside of emissions, and then go inside for the test (CEL is not on), will I pass? Emissions in MD only mandate a OBDII test, where if your CEL if on you fail.
03-16-2007 | 01:19 PM
#25
Cel.....
(Sounds like MM has a fix that might work - it would respond to the fluctuations the ECU sends....)
Your scenario might work with an old OBDI car, but the OBDIIs keep a record of when the light was reset, and "TODAY 11:00am" might ring some alarm bells.
I'm not sure if it's after one or two "start cycles" that the computer stores a "pending" code, it will set a CEL if the fault re-occurs. That could be a fail too, depending on how sharp the tech is....
S
Your scenario might work with an old OBDI car, but the OBDIIs keep a record of when the light was reset, and "TODAY 11:00am" might ring some alarm bells.
I'm not sure if it's after one or two "start cycles" that the computer stores a "pending" code, it will set a CEL if the fault re-occurs. That could be a fail too, depending on how sharp the tech is....
S