RedilRed

I'm gonna ramble, kinda to vent. Later to ask a question.

So after years of trying to wiggle my car back into existence.. It's running!

I basically got scammed though. Originally I took it to a shop in town to get it running, and they limped me along for 5 years. I lost a $1100 to them as a deposit for work they never did. After that amount of time I shipped my car down south to another shop that helped piece my project back together. The old shop had lost or broken nearly $1200 in parts just from their poor job of work they did. I've given up on getting compensated for this nightmare. New shop was paid for their good work and I've been trying to move on.

Everything is done now though, old shop is basically gone out of business, and I have a running car again! 1990 RX7 GXL NA Automatic.

Last step to complete the ability to get it on the road is some exhaust repairs to get it to pass CA smog.
CA Smog is brutal from what I know trying to get an old 91 accord to pass. Currently the Rx7 has a set of racing beat headers on it and the original Catalytic converter on it. I'm fairly certain that won't pass smog as it is (visually). I need to replace a muffler too, it has a 3 inch hole in it for some reason I can't explain.

This is where I have a question...
I was able find a used exhaust manifold but it has a little bit of rust on it. Any tips for how to restore it?
Secondly what's the best way to go about the connecting the exhaust manifold to the original cat? Should I commission a shop to build me a connecting piece of pipe I can bolt on? Or is the the pre-cat madness fully necessary? Is there anyway to over compensate the main cat instead of using the stock 3 cat setup? I've read articles that the pre-cats could die after 40k miles and cause back pressure that could damage the engine.

I'm just kinda worried about this last step as I physically don't have the original equipment, the old shop lost it years ago. I'm doing my best to do what I can legally, but at the same time what's best to have my car running reliably for as long as possible. The engine is rebuilt though has only done about 150 miles recently. Sat on the ground after the rebuild for a year and a half.

Any tips or suggestions are appreciated. Sorry for the rambling.

PnoyRx7

iTrader: (3)

for the first question it depends on the metal of the manifold.

if its just a stock cast iron one i would just give it a quick once over with sandpaper to get any loose rust and High temp paint it black.

I have a Ypipe that i picked up used and it was stainless steel and it was all ugly looking. I just painted her black with the high temp and called it a day. Still has not peeled or flaked.


Edit: Trust me you wont ever ever ever get all the rust and crap off of the stocker.... ask me how i know

RedilRed

Yeah, it's a stock cast iron exhaust manifold. Thank you for the advice, I'll just rough it up and see how clean I can get it. I need to do research now on how much torque the manifold bolts require, as I don't want to damage anything. (heck I don't even know if they need to be torqued down to a certain number) But google and other forum posts will help with this. Going to try and go to a local Nut and bolt place to see if I can find something to fit the exhaust manifold end to the rest of the exhaust I need built still.

I wonder how necessary the heat shield is, especially since the cast iron exhaust manifold will only be on for a short while, (warm up, smog, and some basic maintenance)
More research! Hopefully not critical to need the heatshield, as I would have to source another missing part.

PnoyRx7

iTrader: (3)

Yeah just get some sandpaper or even metal wool to loosen off all the crud and spray with high temp black.

I wouldnt worry too much about the heat shield if its not going to be on for long. My car doesnt have one on and i have the stock manifold.