lately my car's exhaust has been getting progressivly stinkier. The exhaust has a few small leaks and is pretty rusty, so I assume the cat is pretty much shot. It's probably just the cat going, but are there any other pieces of emissions equipment that go bad a lot on our cars? I haven't really bothered caring up until this point, but inspection is up in a month. any thoughts?

 

You are probably right about the emmissions equipment causing a smelly exhaust. Without emmissions the exhaust can be smelly especially if it is running rich.

If you state the year of your 7 and the model others on the forum will be able to help.

Good luck

 

If the car isnt a POS... why not just get a new exhaust system?

 

the car is FAR from a pos, 83 S, original 12a 108k miles. Anyway, yes a new exhaust is in order, but I don't have money for that right now. I want a full Racing Beat and thats like $700+ since i have to run a cat. Anyway, I was just trying to see if it might be more than just a shitty cat, i doubt it, just wanna toss ideas around is all.

 

I'd check that the air pump is working, and pumping air into that cat.... but other than that, just get a new cat or a cat replacement pipe.

I'd start by getting a cat that will socket properly into the RB exhaust you want. Just get the cat and hodge-podge your exhaust system back into working until you have the money for the RB.

What alot of people suggest for places that have emissions testing is that you get a cat *and* a cat replacement pipe.. mount the cat when you do the driveclean test, and replace it with the straightpipe after for... *racing* (read: driving) purposes. It helps the cat stay nice and clean for your tests, and it frees up power if you get a cheaper, non high-flow cat.

Jon

 

hmmm, thats not a bad idea, still a cat is like $300+ isn't it? for a high flow one that is. Whats a cat replacement pipe cost? probably a dumb question but how do you know if the air pump is working?

 

If I knew anything about ******* air pumps, or 12A motors, I'd tell you.

I'm still learning all this emissions bullshit, myself. I understand pretty much everything else about the 13B, though.

 

but you can't run a cat replacement pipe, 'cause you have emissions testing.... and to test the airpump, I'd say just pull off the hose and feel if it's pumping a decent amount of air at idle...

 

AFAIK, there isn't a cat that will fit the stock system AND a RB system. However, the bonez cat pipe will fit your stock system and when you want to get a header you can put a Mindtrain header on. It's my understanding that the Mintrane header is a direct replacement for the stock exhaust manifold. To be sure, get in contact with the guys at http://kickyride.com/ They sell the Mindtrain stuff.

 

oh well, so much for that idea, i've got my mind set on a RB header. I guess I'll just worry about it when i fail inspecion next month.

 

Why not just pick up a used RB system? Should be able to find one for $250-400. It doesn't help out your emissions testing, though.