the race flash is not to blame, plenty of people are using it without issue

you shouldn't be modding the drivetrain on any OBD2 car without owning a scanner, just the facts of life

 

Team, you're right. I think a lot of people got the idea long ago that it was/is okay to just disconnect the battery to reset the PCM and, rather than have the proper tools, they just cleared codes without finding out what was originally the problem. Look at how few posts/threads there are regarding which code scanner is worth the money versus how many threads/posts there are regarding resetting the PCM. I have been guilty of the same behavior and only recently have started a dedicated effort to find a good code scanner that can also record in real time so I can datalog both with/without nitrous use. Any suggestions as to brand/price?

 

I'm thinking about getting the ScanGauge II as a scanner and a few other items on it for the $150...think its worth it for my NA car?

 

sg2 is good if you don't need datalogging. built in screen, reset cels, and a few gauges to show.

 

Damn now it makes me wanna get another scanner for my pending code .....

Performance Design has yet to respond to my sCANalyster question .... I need something that works ! :-(

I will wait another few days ~~~~

 

what do you need to know about the scanalyser?

beers

 

^ if they will port it for 64bit XP - which they won't I bet.

 

now if only it did air/fuel i'd be sold...heh

 

Last time I heard was that they are working on a version that works on 64bit windows. but taking some time.

Damn, I emailed but no one reply

 

P0420 - Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold

Dead Cat

Will remove cat tonight and examine.

 

Maybe what RB said was true, Race Flash is for cars without CAT. If you have it, it will kill it, fast.

I think my ECU removed the pending code already.

 

you think that may have affected your dyno? cause I'm seriously considering getting the race flash but your dyno confuses me. better afr = more power but its not showing it. If the cat was starting to clog then that would explane the better afr and lack of power (less flow less power) the lack of documented info is the only thing holding me back from this mod...

 

So if you get the race flash you also have to buy a scanner? Also, with the race flash if you have a catless midpipe will you still get a CEL?

 

I've been looking at the Scanalizer software it looks very nice. You get live gauges displays (including AFR, rpms, speed, timing advance, and MAF among others), vehicle data logging, clear CELs, troubleshoot CELs by "freeze-framing" engine perameters when the CEL happened, and a bunch of other stuff. Pretty slick software.

 

Well, $30 later my RP supercat is now the RP race-pipe. My car is now louder and stinky.

Will re-dyno in a few weeks.

Hopefully that cleared up the loss of horsepower problem.

 

just looking at my first post in this thread, all my "worst fears" have come to fruition.

 

That's just what I didn't want to hear. Damn.

 

Can you give me the site you can buy this from?

 

sweet cant wait for the new results

 

There is a SEARCH button up there buddy.

 

One thing to note, staticlag, is how RB failed to specifically address your follow-up question regarding the differences between the "street" and "race" reflashes. That's the only thing that has ever concerned me about RB; they would help their customers better by reading the mail that is sent to them before sending a form response. I went through a similar dialogue with RB when people asked me if the RB reflash would work with nitrous oxide. I mailed RB, got indirect responses/answers that didn't seem to address my specific question, looked into it further on my own, and concluded for myself that the RB flashes WILL work with nitrous. There are a few members who report being very satisfied with their RB flashes and the use of nitrous oxide along with. Point being that sometimes we are on our own with this performance stuff.

 

Well Im not sure what RB has sent to you, but if Im RB, I would rather be safe than sorry. meaning I probably will not comment on something thats *out of my control*. they probably tried NOS before, but thats not something that they sell. So they will not make any comments about *will it work*

Just my 0.02

 

Is this the first reported supercat failure??

 

lol I thought they ALL failed!! Search "supercat failure", or "supercat problem"

I not trying to downplay the problems being experienced here OR defending RB in any way ---- BUT -----

1) the 8 is notoriously tough on CATs, OEM or otherwise
2) ANY 2004 8 is ripe for a CAT failure, whose to say this isn't what happened here? i.e. pre-existing condition ripe for climax
3) Anyone most likely owning a supercat has had CAT problems already (see 1&2) or is modding with the unintended result to increase their CAT risk
4) historical failing supercat threads/installs shows that the 'super' in supercat means little re:longevity, i.e, most don't seem to last even as well as OEM for whatever reason (abuse, materials, ???)


Charles, I called RB a month ago and asked what was the specific differences between the race and regular flash. The answer prob won't surprise anyone. Basically, the person didn't know precisely, but that one should consider them pretty nearly the same except for a few tweeks (sounds like their web site huh?).

Guessing, but could be what's happening is only the tuner who actually did the flash "knows" what he did technically and to explain that in lay terms to someone in an email or verbally on the phone, well, not so easy in short words, or the tuner may not work their anymore, may have other work not talking on the phone, etc. They could just be selling old development work basically. Those left that do phone support/email answers say what they are told/and or understand about the subject/maybe it's proprietary.

Sure wish there was a technical paper on the subject myself, then we could all 2nd guess their work lol!

 

LOL - I have the first or second one sold to the public and it is still fine. My good luck I guess!