nubp00pfa

Hey guys,

First time posting, although I've been lurking for a while. Just bought a 2004 red 8, and I love it. Handles like a dream, the 50/50 weight distribution is fantastic, and I also really like how it looks (didn't think that would matter much to me, but I love it haha). Anyway, I haven't really had any problems with it at all, but today the check engine light came on, and when I took it to Advance, their diagnostic said it was error p0420, the catalytic converter. I really don't have money to deal with buying a new one right now, and I've seen ones for as low as 200-300 online(ebay), so I was wondering if anyone could maybe give me some advice on how to handle this and if I have to buy my own and replace it, if they could maybe give me some advice on how to do it. I know, I know, search through the forums, but I want to know people's opinions on the trustworthiness of these products on ebay, and if someone would be willing to physically help me do this, both of which require an actual answer I don't think I can find in the forums. Thanks in advance, guys!

Ben

www.ebay.com/bhp/rx8-catalytic-converter
‎ 2004-2008 Mazda RX8 Catalytic Converter - Exhaust - Eastern Catalytic 04-08 RX8 Catalytic Converter - 8610-05256060 - PartsGeek

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Adding your location into your profile details is usually helpful when looking for local hands-on help.

That cat should fit (it may not, you can never be sure with EBAY stuff), and it will likely solve the P0420 for a while. However, it is unlikely to last more than a few thousand miles at best. Aftermarket cats typically don't have the ability to withstand the heat of the RX-8's exhaust. Some will blow out in a matter of minutes, not thousands of miles.

The only cheap option that seems to last is a specific Magnaflow part number, which is just the cat elements in a section of piping that you would then have to have welded into whatever cat or midpipe you currently have installed. I'd have to dig up that part number for you, I think i might have it in one of my newbie threads.

nubp00pfa

Oh yeah, duh. I live in Pittsburgh, PA.

Ok cool, I'll probz do some more digging. Maybe even just something to get me by for the next month or so till I get enough money for a legit one would probably be ok, I kinda need the car to drive to work and such. Thanks for the advice, and again, any help is appreicated.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

If you need to solve it because of OBD2 inspections, then there are a few other (more expensive) solutions as well that would block the CELs from appearing and allow you to pass (Cobb AccessPORT or MazdaEdit, both reflashing options with lots of other uses)

If you need to solve it because of odor, then yeah, you will need a cat to eliminate the smell, though tuning can make a big impact on how much oder you have to deal with

If you are concerned about damaging anything, then you can knock out the cat elements to eliminate the possibility of a cat clog, but driving without any cat elements in place is not harmful to the car at all, and will net you a bit of power increase.



Just some other options.

nubp00pfa

Ok, thanks again. I need to put a new one in because I bought the car in Ohio, and I need to get it re-inspected soon, because of that. Granted, I could just drive it uninspected for another month or so till I have 1800 to drop on a catalytic converter replacement, but I feel like there should be ways around this. I would have no problem driving without the elements in, but again, not exactly practical because emmissions test. Which is why I'm thinking maybe to just buy a cheap one right now, install it, and then if it fails, I could always put the old piping back on and remove the elements from it so that I can drive it and be street legal. Sound reasonable enough?

Also, was this the type of cheaper solution you were talking about? Please forgive my ignorance, I don't know so much about cars, just trying to learn. I understand this was used, but I'm not sure I have so much of an option at this point; your advice would be much appreciated, however. Don't really feel like throwing away 250 bucks either. If you'd rather pm me so you don't have to speak negatively about someone's product, that also works for me.
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-parts-s...wnpipe-252728/

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

From the newbie's guide to modding:
Since you only need something to pass OBD2, if I was in your shoes, I'd get a MazdaEdit license and just block the CEL from even having a chance to appear. Lots of other useful tools of being able to adjust factory settings and eventually tune the ECU, and runs you a total of about $370ish for license + cable, assuming you already have a laptop.

You would have to run whatever cat for enough drive cycles to let the system readiness monitors complete, but then yes, you could get inspected and then take it back off to avoid driving on it too much.

nubp00pfa

Ok. So, based on my forum perusing, this is just a tuning program, and will remove the check engine light from the onboard computer? Does it do that by acccessing the onboard computer via the proprietary plug under the steering wheel and simply removing the code? Because I'm confused how this will allow me to pass emmissions test if my cat still isn't working properly

nubp00pfa

From my understanding of the emissions test in Allegheny county, they stick a small probe right up to your exhaust and do a reading on the emissions on there, so although the CEL would be off, I'm guessing this wouldn't save me. Correct? Meaning my only practical solution is to put a shitty one on and hope it works long enough to pass the inspection?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

MazdaEdit and the Cobb AccessPORT are both just reflashing tools. Basically they enable you to access the files on your ECU to adjust tables and settings. One of the things you can adjust is the ability for the ECU to even check to see if the cat is good. The adjustments are made on a computer, but the adjusted file set is transmitted back onto the ECU through that OBD2 port.

So for example, if your county does OBD2 emissions inspections, then the inspection station would plug their computer into the OBD2 port and see if the ECU thinks there is anything wrong. You would fail if the ECU thinks that there is. However, with the flashing tool, you can make the ECU always report "everything's fine here!" even if it's not, because you blocked the ability for it to even check.

If your county is one of the PA counties that only has a visual emissions inspection, then the CEL and OBD2 codes don't matter. In fact, they can't fail you for not having a cat. I live in a visual only PA county, and my MSM doesn't even respond to OBD2 connection (the port doesn't go anywhere), and I'm missing half the emissions equipment, and I pass fine.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

PA DEP I/M - Emission Test Results
Doesn't look like a tailpipe emissions test is the test that is required. Looks like just an OBD2 check.

California is the only state left that does tailpipe sniffer tests, unless I'm mistaken.

(But if you DO have a tailpipe tests, then you should know that the OEM cat is the ONLY cat which will pass the test, the other cheaper options will still not pass on a sniffer test)

nubp00pfa

Ok, it would seem that I was misinformed. Thank you again for all your help. I'll probably end up downloading Mazdaedit and then just prevent the code from appearing. And, in the effort of preventing a clogged cat from damaging my car, would it be a good idea to knock the cat elements out of the pipe until I have enough money to buy another one? You said it might just smell a little worse and I'll have slightly higher hp?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

How much worse it will smell depends on your nose, your tolerance to fumes, and your precise tune. Not all catless RX-8s smell the same, and plenty of people enjoy the smell

But yes, you are otherwise correct.

Read this before you choose a reflashing method: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-eng...b-best-252137/
I'd still go with MazdaEdit, but you should still make an informed decision.

nubp00pfa

Hey so one more question. Before I decide to spend money and buy mazdaedit and knock the cat out of my car, I only bought the car three weeks ago, from a dealer in Ohio. Any idea on if this would be covered for any reason, or any places you can point me in?

nubp00pfa

Also, I'm gonna have to use a torch to take the bolts off the car, and I was wondering if anyone knew what kind of torch I needed to use, or if I could use something as simple as a propane torch.