After purchasing my 81 RX7 my intention is obviously to keep it for a very long time. Since purchasing the vehicle I have completed a few upgrades. But the specific two have lead me to post this thread.

1. I have replaced the stock air cleaner with the racing beat canister. Should I have plugged up the four vacuum hoses that lead to the stock air cleaner?

2. I recently purchased a universal RB exhaust and had it installed modifying the piping to 2 and a half and eliminating the cats. Today I experienced the oes light on for a short period of time. I'm sure this is going to occur often due to the elimination of the cat based on what I read here. But this is my daily driver and was wondering if will do anything negative to the motor and also if it's safe?
Thanks in advance
D

 

might have something to do with the rat's nest and the entanglement of wires connecting to it. has it been removed?

 

This car came unmolested so I think it's safe to say that no the "rats nest" has not been removed. Does the 81 rx7 have one? Everything I googled has led me to 2nd and 3rd gen threads only regarding the rats nest.

 

Ahhh nevermind! Just found one by rx7carl. Will give that a go and see what happens . But until then, is the car ok driving the way it is now?

 

None of the hoses going to the air cleaner are vacuum. They are fresh air intakes only. If you cap them the system they feed will be disabled. They all connect to parts of the emission control system. They should not damage the motor connected or not.

 

what is an OES light?

 

The overheated exhaust system light...

 

ah did you take off the big heat shield over the exhaust?

 

I did. I upgraded to 2.5 in piping straight to a universal racing beat exhaust. Should have I somehow kept that?... Didn't think it was needed since I have always done that to all my lil hobby/daily cars.

 

I bet that exhaust is kind of loud without any presilencers. When your hearing
starts to go, you'll learn.

Yeah those heat shields ate pretty much needed on a rotary. The exhaust is
almost twice as hot as any piston engine exhaust ever gets.

 

i never had my exhaust overheat light come on til this last time at dgrr.

 

Pull the gauge cluster out and pop the bulb out from the back of the cluster.... problem solved. My OES light used to randomly turn on.. even when the vehicle was dead cold and I had just started it up.... obviously these sensors aren't the most accurate or reliable pieces of equipment. Plus you have no cats and that is what the OES light is referencing, it is meant to prevent you from melting the cats..... kinda impossible now.

 

Surprisingly the exhaust isn't as loud as I thought it was going to be. That universal RB exhaust sounds nice! I'm going to try the following solutions and see what happens. Today I collected the heat shields from my local muff shop. I'm going to figure out a way of maybe spot welding a few points so that it can be placed over the staight pipe. But at this point will that help? Also removing the rats nest. Hopefully it all goes smooth.

 

Sorry for not adding this to the last post. Furthermore in removing the ratsnest and straight piping the car will not compromise reliability or even safety? I read some other members thread that his exhaust exploded or someshit! Craziness! Anyway thanks for helping me out.