Well, having read about this current issue with the temporary delivery stop, I finally got curious enough and took a gander underneath the chassis. I've GOT to get this baby up on a rack so I can further analyze this complex beast! My DOM is 3/05. I did notice what appears to be some aluminum heat tape wrapped around what appears to be the rear foot well, which also appears to be aluminum. I'm well aware of the fact that the rotary results in much higher cat temps than conventional engines. Seems to me Mazda could have possibly found a different location for the cat or provide additional heat dissipation to mitigate the cockpit heat issue.

But the most interesting find was how the muffler is mounted. Quite an elaborate sorta "suspension" system. The muffler itself is much larger than I would have imagined. Interestingly, I noticed a welded shut center port facing the back of the muffler. I'm not sure if this was actually an extra "in" port or an optional single "out" port. I also noticed a heat shield placed over the muffler; but it doesn't appear to be of a high grade heat dissipating material, but I'm sure it helps a bit in keeping the trunk from getting too hot.

Anyone have any additional info?

Cheers!

 

I am not convinced it works that well. Anything metal in the floor of my trunk is , almost, to hot to handle, after a couple of hours of driving