zerobanger

Maurice...

I read earlier that stage II was on the border as far as timing goes. I read that it wasn't 100 pct safe in terms of keeping the car from detonating. Has this issue been solved? If I bought stage II instead of stage I and run 91 octain is that safe?

Thanks, Im just trying to figure this out

Japan8

That's about how I get it... although many "on road" only people will go to Stage 2, if you have to worry about emissions testing, then Stage 1 is your best bet.

Stage 1.5.... Stage 1 ECU (with low rpm reprogram) and the new cat?


Canzoomer... if you go the above... Stage 1 with the new cat, will the 02 fooler still be necessary? Are your chances of passing any inspection nil, even if you switch off stage 1?

Omicron

Yeah, I noticed the lack of 02 fooler in the cat list too... is it no longer needed?

Omicron

Yeah, I noticed the lack of 02 fooler in the cat list too... is it no longer needed?

Omicron

Yeah, I noticed the lack of 02 fooler in the cat list too... is it no longer needed?

SCiMMiA

At least he can delete posts.

canzoomer

OK, OK, i get the message!! Yeesh!

We are proud to annouce that testing of exhaust and cats is now finished, with a lot of the credit to got to Dave at Random Tech.

Random are manufacturing the mid-pipe units for us and we will have them shipping at month end.

The Mid-pipe Replacement Unit is stainless steel, available in 2.5" or 3" pipe size.
Includes Random Tech high flow/high temp cat.
Optional flow-through resonator muffler.

Cat is mounted on bolt flanges, so may be removed for racing purposes. In this case an optional short flanged pipe takes it's place.
For 3" applications we are offering an extra 3" pipe flange plate to allow the cat-back to be modified to mate to 3"
Stock, Borla, Greddy and other cat-back units come with a mating flange for the mid-pipe sized to join with the stock 2.5" mid-pipe.
Cat back units like this usually utilize 3" pipe, however they have to attach to a stock 2.5"mid-pipe. This flange allows on to correct that matter.

Use of the flange requires the original one to be cut off of the cat-back, and the new one to be TIG welded in it's place. This can be done by most competent exhaust shops.

The 3" offers little benefit on an RX-8 unless one is going to add a turbo or supercharger kit later on, where the added flow capacity would be beneficial.
It is only a provision for this future application.

The resonator is recommended for maitaining a reaasonable sound level. For racing use where sound reduction is not a factor, it can be considered optional.

And now for your answer, Omicron:
With the use of the Random Tech cat, the stock O2 sensors may be used, and no check engine light results.
The flow resistance of the Random unit is low enough that almost no power loss is experienced ( 2HP versus no cat at all).
As reliable o2 fooler for the RX-8 are a complicated and expensive business, we have chosen this as the best path to accomplish the goal.

The Random cat would probably not pass a full, modern exhaust emissions test for EPA2 level standards, as it will not heat up to full operating temperatures reliably within the required 5 minutes.
If you can manage to get by that stipulation it would likely pass, or come close.
In either case replacing the stock cat is not legal for street use as mandated by the regulations, which allow a cat to be replaced only if the original is destroyed, lost, or similar.

Japan8

... yep just like a when you're working screwdriver in the rubber hangers and opps! Looks like Random Technologies' high temp/high flow cat is needed... :D

emailists

Regarding the epa test, in New York I have never seen any emissions test that starts your engine cold. As long as you kept the engine running for a bit before they drove it in for the emissions test, woulnt the cat already be heated and pass?

Any word on when a dyno will be done on stage 2- I haven't received my stage 1 order yet and I am wondering if I should just have the order switched over to stage 2? I would love to see the dyno tests though, as I would llike to see if there is any benefit lower in the RPM range than stage 1.

Thanks in advance.

shebam

Look at it this way -- if you leave the car and they drive it in and turn it off before the test, it ain't gonna restart anyway.

racerdave

I think the primary difference is this...

The EPA2 test is something *manufacturers* must pass. It only applies to getting new cars certified.

It bears no relationship to the emissions testing that states do to register your car.

If I'm wrong, please correct me, but the emissions tests the states do is not the same (nor is as stringent) as the EPA2 tests.

Japan8

New York
http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/vehsafe.htm#einspect

California
http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/stdpage....ck/default.htm

Arizona
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/legtext...ls/hb2190p.htm

New Jersey
http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/cleanair/index.html

Texas
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/VTR/vtrreginfo.htm?pg=faq

Florida
http://www.vidaamericana.com/english/carreg.html
http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/dmv/faqmotor.html

And many more!