sauceyI986

Well i have about 2000 miles on my midpipe and i dont have a cel, well i did when i first put it on, then i took my car to get an oil change this week a for some reason my car felt a little different i dont know why put it did, and i been havin flames come out the pipe without a cell but is this normal

peterisurhero

the shooting flames is VERY NORMAL. hahaha the rotary engine juss doing what it does best hahaha as for the cel light, thats actually for your benefit. you dont want ur cel light going off. it SHOULD be off tho becuz u dont have the catalytic converter. i dont think there is anything wrong wit ur car tho.

mysql101

I think to get a CEL you have to hit specific tests that the car performs. That means a number of driving conditions at various speeds. I would always get a CEL after about 10-15 miles. If you're not hitting those conditions, I guess you could avoid the CEL. Maybe there's another explanation..

ddub

No CEL here. Got one after first 100 or so miles, then it disappeared for 200 miles, back for another 100 miles, and since then it hasn't come back. It's been 2.5k since the last time I got a CEL.

Brettus

iTrader: (2)

No cell ever - after 30,000 km without cat.

max5roadster

Had a CEL on and off for the first 1000 miles, though mostly off. Have had no cell for the last 4000+ miles. The difference I think was outside temp affecting O2 sensor temp. I have the spacer on the O2 sensor. Since the warmer weather has moved in, I have not had a CEL in any drive cycle or driving condition to date.

ddub

Ok sorry but this is annoying me. I gave the thread starter the benefit of the doubt and said MAYBE they made a typo, but now another person does it.

CEL = Check Engine Light. This is what I hope you all are referring to when you say "cell."

cell = something you call from, a room in a prison, a microscopic structure, etc.

jstkilntim

^^

mysql101

What really annoys me is when someone describes "CELL" but fails to include the Cell processor. Damn that roasts my peanuts.

kartweb

So for those who have actually installed a cat-free midpipe, what's your opinion?

Is there less heat radiating from the console?

Any change in fuel mileage?

How much louder is it?

I've seen the Dyno graphs, what does the Butt dyno say?

mysql101

I don't notice any change in heat inside the car, no changes in fuel economy, and can't feel any hp gains from the butt dyno.

With the stock exhaust, it has a nice sound to it. With an aftermarket exhaust (like the borla) it is way too loud, and has a very annoying rasp to it. I heard the B&B with a HKS exhaust and it wasn't nearly as loud as with the borla though - so it can work with some aftermarket exhausts okay.

Here's my videos of various combos of the exhaust/midpipe:

http://tyrannical.org/page-17



In conclusion, it's a cheap way to get better sound if you don't want to spend $600 on a catback. If you're going turbo, the catless midpipe is also a good thing to get. Otherwise I wouldn't recommend it.

Senna

Thanks for the link to your vids. So why exactly wouldn't you recommend it?

mysql101

So you want me to repeat what I already said?

Senna

Never mind, I was thinking in terms of your opinion about it causing a CEL not so much the sound. But thanks anyway.

mysql101

It's more than that. You'll be performing an illegal modification to your car, your dealer may start to be less cooperative since you're messing with powertrain stuff. Your car will smell of raw fumes, which will get in your car at every stop light if your windows are down or your AC is taking air from outside. If your state has inspections, you may also start failing them.

The gains for a non FI car are minimal and in my opinion, hardly worth the trade offs. But as I said, if you don't have an aftermarket catback installed, you can pick one up for 200-250 and get a better sound without spending $600 on a catback.

The Mighty Red

I'm right there with you.

Pros:
I did notice a little more power and quicker response.
Sounds pretty darn cool.

Neutrals:
No change in fuel economy

Cons:
Illegal
Dealership warranty work issues
Noxious exhaust fumes at every stop or while in traffic
Check engine light
Won't pass emissions inspections

I had one but in the end decided the cons outweight the pros and sold it.

mysql101

yeah, I bet somewhere around 50% of the people who buy midpipes end up selling it off on the forum. There's always someone with one for sale here.

Also keep in mind there are stiff fines for shops who mess with emissions hardware, so chances are, you'll also have to do the install yourself.

Terrance26

What about a high flow cat, are there any gains with it or is it useless? Do you still get a cel with a high flow cat?

mysql101

you can avoid a cel with a hf cat. it's technically illegal to install too, but you'll also pass emissions and avoid the bad smells.

Senna

Thanks for elaborating. I take it air fuel ratio/running lean is not an issue with a mid-pipe, catback, and intake?

dtorre

hmm actually purchased Mighty Red's midpipe....may be a little loud with an aftermarket exhaust but as long as you stay light on the throttle its not too loud. Love the flames that come with it ....as far as emissions go, not to worried can swap it off with my cat in no time, took 30 minutes to swap it off the other day to take my car in to the dealership to get my visor fixed =). Smell, don't really notice it unless I stand behind the car, then it smells like i've been driving a gokart all day =P

Terrance26

What about the gains with the high flow cat, are there any?

Senna

Did you have any CEL issues?

mysql101

The car automatically adjusts in closed loop, and in open loop it's rich as hell, so I wouldn't worry about it.

peterisurhero

hey guys becuz we are talking about the CEL light i was juss gonna ask something that is kinda relevant to it. i was gonna get the AEM cai. But i htink somewhere in the forums i read about the cai giving the CEL light. what is kinda funny is that i went to a dealership and asked them if the mazdaspeed cai will set the CEL light off and they said it wont. So i dotn get it, the AEM and mazdaspeed cai's are indentical are tehy not?? only difference is the name. thnx