DIY: Gutting out your Catalytic Converter
gutting the cat tonite
Okay so I just bought my 04 rx8 the cel is on. Come to find out the coil packs r bad. So I replaced em and the plugs and wires. Still the cel is on. So tonite im gutting the cat because the mechanics r telling me its clogged. One question. Though. What the hell is the seafoam treatment? And help would be appreciated.
Im debating the worth of my stock cat. Last time I took it off the smaller 3" portion of the cat was smashed to bits, the bigger chunk after the sensor is still in tact. I was able to pass smog with the small portion smashed to bits...but since then I emptied out that junk and all that is left is the honeycomb after the o2 sensor. Would I still be able to pass smog here in CA with just that portion of the cat? I have the accessport so im not throwing a cell.
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Boca Raton, FL
Any tips on removing the Cat bolts on the front 3 hole flange? I snapped the bottom bolt and i was loosening and tightening using a breaker bar cause it wouldnt budge. it got about 1/4 the way off and snapped the bolt in half.. Can i replace the bolts or what do you recommend?
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 141
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From: Boca Raton, FL
I called my exhaust man to see if he could just cut the bolts off. He usually does that for free on my cars and he told me my exhaust is under warranty. Im taking it to mazda (Already spoke to them) and their going to replace the Cat for free. Also good to find out that my engine is covered by the extended warranty as well.. Kinda made my day but changing the coolant tank i broke the radiator.. GD it
Title should be changed to:
Gutting out my families future because I would rather be cheap, selfish, **** in my own nest bastage rather than spend $200 to protect a limited resource required for human life.
Gutting out my families future because I would rather be cheap, selfish, **** in my own nest bastage rather than spend $200 to protect a limited resource required for human life.
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Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Central NJ
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Central NJ
Its not hard to do.. I ran a 1.5" pipe threw the center of mine, Left what ever Honeycomb on Sides.. Only Code Im throwin is the 2559,Which I've done the Solenoid connector cleaning and it still throws it 
Hollowed my cat on the weekend, at first I didn't feel much increase and holy crap did the exhaust ever stink for the first two days. 5 days later the exhaust stinks a lot less and I can definitly feel the power increase 
I think mine might have been slightly clogged and it had some cracks running through the honeycomb filter
Car sounds even better, doesn't seem any louder then before with stock catback
MPG hasn't changed, it might go up with MM tune for no cat,
Exhaust temps went down a bit as well
Be prepared to change all three front studs with basic bolts and nuts, all three broke when taking the cat off, unavoidable even when heating them with torch first
To me the worst part of this mod is the smell, luckily after a few days the stink will come down but if you like to cruise with windows down you will be smelling awful exhaust when coming to a stop, or if the wind is pushing from behind you, maybe with a MM tune it might stink a little less.
I think mine might have been slightly clogged and it had some cracks running through the honeycomb filterCar sounds even better, doesn't seem any louder then before with stock catback
MPG hasn't changed, it might go up with MM tune for no cat,
Exhaust temps went down a bit as well
Be prepared to change all three front studs with basic bolts and nuts, all three broke when taking the cat off, unavoidable even when heating them with torch first
To me the worst part of this mod is the smell, luckily after a few days the stink will come down but if you like to cruise with windows down you will be smelling awful exhaust when coming to a stop, or if the wind is pushing from behind you, maybe with a MM tune it might stink a little less.
i actually dont mind the smell lol ... but then again, i enjoy the smell of pumping gas.
if you want to smell something ruthless, turn off the air emissions pump and turn the car on during a cold start ..... now that will make your eyes water like crazy lol
if you want to smell something ruthless, turn off the air emissions pump and turn the car on during a cold start ..... now that will make your eyes water like crazy lol
Hollowed my cat on the weekend, at first I didn't feel much increase and holy crap did the exhaust ever stink for the first two days. 5 days later the exhaust stinks a lot less and I can definitly feel the power increase I think mine might have been slightly clogged and it had some cracks running through the honeycomb filter
Car sounds even better, doesn't seem any louder then before with stock catback
MPG hasn't changed, it might go up with MM tune for no cat,
Exhaust temps went down a bit as well
Be prepared to change all three front studs with basic bolts and nuts, all three broke when taking the cat off, unavoidable even when heating them with torch first
To me the worst part of this mod is the smell, luckily after a few days the stink will come down but if you like to cruise with windows down you will be smelling awful exhaust when coming to a stop, or if the wind is pushing from behind you, maybe with a MM tune it might stink a little less.
I think mine might have been slightly clogged and it had some cracks running through the honeycomb filterCar sounds even better, doesn't seem any louder then before with stock catback
MPG hasn't changed, it might go up with MM tune for no cat,
Exhaust temps went down a bit as well
Be prepared to change all three front studs with basic bolts and nuts, all three broke when taking the cat off, unavoidable even when heating them with torch first
To me the worst part of this mod is the smell, luckily after a few days the stink will come down but if you like to cruise with windows down you will be smelling awful exhaust when coming to a stop, or if the wind is pushing from behind you, maybe with a MM tune it might stink a little less.
I Also Used PB blaster and let it soak in for a good 3 hours, I think it might be because of the harsh canadian winters my car has been through its whole 9 year life :/
These bolts break for most people from what I been reading, if they come off easy consider yourself blessed :D
While I agree with your general sentiment, i.e. clean air, the fact that we are driving internal combustion engines is primarily bad for the environment. I also think if you are suggesting buying a $200 cat, from what I've read so far, is they don't last. So how much industrial waste and pollution is being introduced into the environment by manufacturing sub-standard cats that will shortly be useless? Also some of our most favored trade partners, Mexico and China, are notorious polluters, therefore our buying large quantities of goods from them is exponentially causing more harm. So when I get around to installing my BHR midpipe I will have very few qualms about it. Just sayin.
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Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Shelby NC
What i did was, I went to Advance and bought a 2 1/4 in exhaust pipe....it comes about 18 inches longs for 8 bucks. Drove it through and cleaned the pipe out. Then bolted the cat back on. So far i've been 400 miles with no cel. It throughh a pending code once...but it went away on it's on and didn't trigger the light. I bought a new cat from advance for 235 bucks...i'll just put it on if i need it to pass emissions. Forgot to add if the pipe rattles just use some of that muffler putty stuff to seal around it at the inlet side.
I have a 2004 with around 81,000 miles on it..
I have a 2004 with around 81,000 miles on it..
Last edited by wiesel42; Mar 22, 2013 at 01:49 PM.
