Your cat will not last as long with a stage 1
 

Is that correct? How much will a new catalyst cost?

It is my understanding that the Stage 1 will not damage the CAT very much if at all. Since the Stage 1 doesn't really "kick in" until the 5000 or 6000 rpm range and you don't spend that much time at those RPM's I don't think the CAT would suffer to much.

Maybe instead of 120,000 out of the CAT you might only get 100,000 or 75,000

Some one please correct me if I'm wrong

Yes, it's probably correct. But I believe (someone correct me if I'm wrong) we're talking about 50,000-60,000 miles with Stage 1 vs. 100,000 miles without. I have no idea how much a replacement costs, but 50-60,000 is a long way off!

I think previous EPA regulation for cat longevity was 60-75k. Mazda tweaked it to last 120k. So as a guess, Stage 1 brings our cars closer to what Mazda had in mind in the first place.

And the way I'm looking at it, if I can get more smiles per mile in that 50-80k, it's worth the price of a replacement cat (which, the factory one is *always* going to be more expensive than an aftermarket one).

Plus, when that happens, it will be a good excuse to get a high-flow cat with cat-back exhaust! :)

Canzoomer has the Random Tech high-temp high flow cat with resonator for about $750.

Replace your worn out cat with that and get an increase in HP to boot!

How difficult is it to replace a cat yourself?

It is only a few bolts on each side a short piece of pipe, granted one that easily rusts bolts tight, but still not hard.

I would not really be concerned about it at all though until someone finally does report that it has become a problem and needs replacing which could be years. Not a big deal.

So here's the question. We know the stock system puts in way too much fuel without O2 to burn it. We see this as exhaust grunge/gunk. Anyone here think this wouldn't limit the life of the cat.? Stage 1 reduces this by quite a bit, as reported so far. Maybe the increased temp. vs extra gunk cancel each other out?

Just something to wonder about as you are enjoying driving for the next 5 - 10 years.

I don't have my car with me right now, but I was thinking that the manufacturer had to warranty the emmissions for like 75,000 miles. I have not seen any fed regulations relative to a 120,000 mile component life, but I will take what I read here as true for now. So, my question is- If the feds say the cat must last for 120,000 miles, and the manufacturer must only warranty engine emmissions for 75,000 how does any of this make sense? Seems as though Mazda has to extend cat warranty beyond the emmisions warranty under these circumstances. And, my second questions is- Since emmissions are warranted for 75,000 miles why do we think that the cat wouldn't make it that far since Mazda would have a hugh liability otherwise?

Further to above post, I just read and re-read the warranty relative to emission control parts. The Federal (U.S.) regulations require manufacturers to warrant the catalytic converter for 96 months or 80,000 miles - whichever comes first.
Now, where did all this dialog about 120,000 miles get started?
Sorry if this has been digested herein before, but long emission component warranties are not new. My '95 Dodge Ram had a 70,000 mile cat warranty, and I got a new one free at 65,000.
It's starting to smell like the "bean counters" made the decision to de-rate rather than face warranty liability or the added cost of a proper high-temp cat.
Love the car anyway. Wanna bet that the '05 or '06 models get what we lost?

I believe the 120,000 miles is going to be a new regulation, I think Mazda was just a year early in the way they designed the car, however I still don't think they warranty the current emissions that long.

The 120K cat durability requirement is new for 2004. For what it's worth, the EPA doesn't work on model years - their requirement change dates are between Nov 1 and Jan 1. Mazda wasn't likely to offer a different spec for the first 5 months of 2004 model year production, so they all got the tune for the new spec.

In Europe, the new EuroIV emissions requirements kick in for 2005, so it's the EuroIV spec that Mazda is meeting a year early.

Regards,
Gordon

I don't think that a new high-flow/high-temp cat is necessary with the stage I mod. Now when you are talking of the stage II that will be a different story. That is not to say that there won't be any benefits to upgrading your cat with the stage I but it can't be the only upgrade that you do. You would need to do the cat back and exhaust as well since I am sure that the new cat will have a 2.5"-3" diameter tubing. That means that it won't be bolt-on to stock components. If you were to open up the exhaust system you will cut back on back flow pressure which will allow the car to breathe better. This means more hp with the stage I.

Of course if you are like I am you might question what the stage II has to offer and how long the new cat might hold up... and... well when you are going to admit that this is really the mod you want. :D

Car engine light went on today...took it to Mazda garage for diagnostics. It needs new catalytic converter and whole new exhaust. Apparently the cat is breaking up and sending ceramic bits into the exhaust (creating a rattling noise - I thought that was normal..!!) Good news is that it is all covered under warranty..

Why are you guys so worried about the cats life? Realistically by the time you get to about 70k miles or so, there will be many other aftermarket HI flow cats available for the 8. Those are usually much cheaper than factory.

I've only done 3,500 miles....that's why..!!

Pillman,

Your cat is definately under warranty. Those items are now required warranty items with the manufacturer. That is what the EPA standards are all about. You shouldn't have to worry about it. That is unless you were taking it apart and smashing up the inside with something like a broom handle.

:D ssshhh! Don't worry pillman, we won't tell!

I hope my tires don't either!!!

Just a quick clarification:
"Pillman" is NOT running with one of our Stage1 kits!

To hell with the cat

If your cat goes, be sure to hang on to it for the shell... someone (like me) is likely to want to buy it to wrap around a high flow/temp cat to make it look stock! :D