Driving today, i noticed an engine sputter... at 4k and 7k rpm, CEL was blinking so that tells me misfire. I have new plugs coils and wires.

2004 mt, 94k miles. I will buy seafoam tomorrow. I will also clean the maf tomorrow.

Any suggestions? I noticed a little bit of amoke this morning but it didnt last longer than a few seconds. Also i had some sputtering while starting the car last few times.

 

Get the OBD scanned to find out what the code is.
Possibly a bad cat if you still have one.

 

Thank you, is there anything difinitive to tell me its the cat? Something irrefutable?

Also do I need it? I guess i can put in a new exhaust. Im not sure how much I should spend on one...

 

If the catalytic converter is bad, it will glow red(because they get VERY hot), after a hard drive. Take the car out at night, drive it hard(get it up there in RPMs) and then pull into a driveway or parking lot and look at the converter from the drivers side of the car(it'll be on the opposite side). Note: If it is a bad catalytic converter the procedure I just outlined is a risk(car could literally catch fire), so take that into consideration.

 

Ok slow down.
If you have a check engine light on get it read.
A flashing light always means a misfire.

BC I aint knocking your idea but if the OP is still running like this:
https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...9/#post4694371
It could be the Maf going all crazy or whatever.

@Majictoast You can do a visual inspection of the Catalytic convertor, while you can only see the front of the element look for blockage or physical damage.

I've noticed you've posted quite a few threads requesting help lately.
I think you have too many things going on, try and solve one problem at a time.

 

Ill just replace my exhaust with something that sounds more secksy. How much is a good aftermarket exhaust? Any suggestions?

 

Honestly, rotary engines don't like catalytic converters that much(well really no engine does) because the exhaust is much hotter(than a gasoline piston engine) and the rotary burns some oil. The BHR catless midpipe has been the best thing I have bought for my 8, sounds a bit louder and you can smell the gas a little but piece of mind is worth it.

 

And what do you do about the check engine light that comes on?

The OP is struggling with enough problems.

 

If the CEL is flashing, the OBD needs to be scanned to find out why.
If the plugs, coils and wires gave been changed, it may be because it was misfiring before.
If it was, the cat has likely been damaged.
A P0402 code would more than likely confirm it.
Regardless, the ESS and MAF sensor should ne cleaned anyway, along with a new air filter while that's being done, and then the 20 brake stomp.
A bad cat can cause a flashing CEL.

 

Agree all good stuff.
I'm just saying when your setup is this does any of that matter?

 

The way the OP wrote it, I thought the CEL was blinking indicating the misfire detection, not staying illuminated indicating other issues. Sorry if I misread that. Still though gutting the catalytic converter or replacing it with a midpipe will solve the misfiring if the misfiring is due only to the converter being bad/clogged.

 

facepalm...

Please put your stock airbox back on...

 

Wait... Majictoast is that your car wcs posted pictures of?

 

Holy sh*t, it is, I found your other thread. Please PLEASE get either a stock airbox, Racing Beat REVI II airbox, or the AEM cold air intake that you mentioned. What you have now is absolutely terrible for the MAF getting accurate readings.

 

wtf is that ****

 

I agree

Hiya Gravey,
Yes it looks bad but if you read his post here (https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...9/#post4694371), he is really in a jam.
IIRC he live in Hawaii and very limit access to parts and such so he is trying to do his best.

Yes it is from this thread -->> https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...9/#post4694371

I'm not knocking the OP for trying but with so many things going wrong and a good deal of the car being in the condition it is in, it's hard to say what's causing the misfire.
That's all I'm saying.

Someone also mentioned it looks like it's been in an accident, plus there is some weird wiring going on for the radiator fans.

 

Ah so it came with that monstrosity already installed... OP, just for starters, source out a stock airbox, a revi, or an AEM like Love Hounds suggested. That dryer hose may not be causing the Misfire problem, but it IS causing other issues.

The stock airbox is pretty much as good as it gets intake wise, with the other two selections offering a debatable 2 HP gain, all other intakes either hurt your HP and cause problems with the MAF readings

 

Wow... I just read the other thread, I feel bad for you OP... looks like you have a laundry list of issues...

 

Yeah, that's why spamming is frowned upon.
A general question asked in a vacuum gets responses that may or not be helpful.
I read a lot of threads, and can't always remember who's who.