1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

catalytic converter?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 1, 2006 | 01:36 AM
  #1  
Ozmodiar-X's Avatar
Thread Starter
Wants Traction!
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Regina, SK, Canada
catalytic converter?

Some one told me that catalytic converter help save the life of a rotary. I'm not sure if it is true or not. My car does not have one right. Should it? Its a 83 12a.
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2006 | 10:07 AM
  #2  
friedrice's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: fl
a catalytic converter burns any gases left in the exaust. it also gives some slight backpressure. removing it will not hurt anything but our poor enviroment. lol
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2006 | 02:36 PM
  #3  
rOtAryIsbEttEr's Avatar
voo doo witchdoctor
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 365
Likes: 1
From: Texarkana, Arkansas
a clogged one can hurt a rotary over time but i dont think that a good one will cause any damage since i had one on my car for about 185000 miles.
if you dont need emissions weld in a replacement pipe or hollow the thing out.
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2006 | 02:50 PM
  #4  
mazdaverx713b's Avatar
Have RX-7, will restore
Veteran: Army
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (91)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,577
Likes: 1,273
From: Ohio
if you dont have to pass an emmissions test, you can leave it off with no ill effects. if you DO have to pass an emissions test, you'll definatly need one!
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2006 | 07:41 PM
  #5  
FirebirdSlayer666's Avatar
Famous Taillights
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 2
From: Hagerstown, MD
All above stated are true and your 83 should have one
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2006 | 10:13 PM
  #6  
TORONTO RX7's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
I took off my convertor and every now and then it Back fires. Will the back firing hurt my engine? I dont mind but it scares the **** out of people on the road. lol
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2006 | 10:35 PM
  #7  
trochoid's Avatar
Old Fart Young at Heart
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 15,145
Likes: 8
From: St Joe MO
Muffler, good chance, engine, no.
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2006 | 12:57 AM
  #8  
Ozmodiar-X's Avatar
Thread Starter
Wants Traction!
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Regina, SK, Canada
so simply put, it is fine that i do not have on if i dont have to worry about emisions?
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2006 | 07:41 AM
  #9  
mazdaverx713b's Avatar
Have RX-7, will restore
Veteran: Army
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (91)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,577
Likes: 1,273
From: Ohio
its that simple.
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2006 | 07:46 PM
  #10  
boxer784's Avatar
Junior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Hi,
A little information on environmental laws,
Series 1 and series 2 RX7's were produced before catalytic converters were compulsory in cars and emmision control laws were passed. Due to this these series did not need a catalytic converter to pass registration or emmision laws. I should state however that this is the case in Australia and i am unsure of other countries legislature.
Secondly an interesting fact about catalytic converters is that they stop working after about 70,000 kilometres so they arent actually doing anything for the environement. All that they are doing is clogging up you exhaust and decresing your power output.
So as other people have stated above, either gut the converter or replace it with straight through pipe.

Ryan
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2006 | 09:18 PM
  #11  
FirebirdSlayer666's Avatar
Famous Taillights
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 2
From: Hagerstown, MD
Originally Posted by boxer784
Hi,
A little information on environmental laws,
Series 1 and series 2 RX7's were produced before catalytic converters were compulsory in cars and emmision control laws were passed. Due to this these series did not need a catalytic converter to pass registration or emmision laws. I should state however that this is the case in Australia and i am unsure of other countries legislature.
Secondly an interesting fact about catalytic converters is that they stop working after about 70,000 kilometres so they arent actually doing anything for the environement. All that they are doing is clogging up you exhaust and decresing your power output.
So as other people have stated above, either gut the converter or replace it with straight through pipe.

Ryan
That's close. Series 1 RX-7s didn't have catyletic converters but rather thermal reactors and an exhaust that was able to subdue emissions. Series 2 infact did have catyletic converters, usually a single but sometimes double.
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2006 | 11:07 PM
  #12  
cptpain's Avatar
Torqueless Wonder
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,020
Likes: 3
From: Texas
Originally Posted by TORONTO RX7
I took off my convertor and every now and then it Back fires. Will the back firing hurt my engine?

no...maybe some ear drums.....backfiring is the result of fuel still being burned through the exhaust that hasnt completely burned when its in the combusiton chamber
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
spokanerxdude
Megasquirt Forum
3
Oct 6, 2015 12:28 PM
Robrods64
New Member RX-7 Technical
6
Oct 2, 2015 07:56 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:01 AM.