DigitalSynthesis

Well folks, thanks to your encouragement and the not-so-subtle prodding of the Georgia state DMV, I have decided to embark on a little shopping spree.

Thanks to what I suspect is a clogged, old, and failing catalytic converter, my HC levels were out the roof on the latest test. The guy suggested the cat and the O2 sensor could be to blame, and since I was in the mind to replace them both in the near future anyway I decided to do it now.

I've purchased the Bonez Superflo converter and the RP catback (not a whole lot of $$ to play with, didn't want the Greddy or HKS systems for now and the N1 is too Honda-ish for me right now - I live in rice city), plus a Bosch O2 sensor (yeah yeah I've heard good, bad, and indifferent about it - if it sucks *** I'll get another it was $40 versus $160). I also decided to go with the Bonez high flow intake, and NGK plug wires, too. So that's a reasonable kit, should be fun to play around with, and I'm hoping the butt dyno agrees with my suspicions.

I am sure a compression check would be in order too, but additional expenditures for a tester (even the $30) are a little wearying on the pocketbook after that outlay of cash. I just tell my friends I have 1/5th of a car heading to me via UPS.

Well, wish me luck, and if you have any good tips on putting all this stuff into my car, I'd REALLY appreciate it!

In the near future, I plan to upgrade the following as well:
- All vacuum hoses (with silicone stuff, probably from PFS)
- TB Mod (unless somebody comes up with a good reason not too)

turbocajun

Good luck on the emissions test. If it fails again, run your tank level down below 1/4 and add two gallons of ethanol (denatured alcohol available at hardware stores). You will pass with flying colors. Gas up right after test and turn boost level way down (if a turbo)during test.

rotorboy

Let me know if you need any help with installation of those items, or even a compression test. I live in Jonesboro and can do it all on Sunday. I can understand a tight budget, and my services are very reasonable.

DigitalSynthesis

Rotorboy - Thanks I'll let U know but the parts won't be in until next week (bought 'em from RX7.com) and I'm probably just going to do it myself, for the fun of it. I enjoy working on my '7, and Spring Break is only a week away now. But I'll keep u in mind should something come up!

Turbocajun - Does the ethanol affect my cat or my engine at all? I'm buying a brand new cat and definitely don't want to f*** it up right after I buy it! It sounds like an interesting idea tho... esp. to keep the HC count down.

GlenL

Sounds like a useful tip. Does the ethanol trick work with no cats?

DigitalSyn: Funny coincidence. Someone commited credit card fraud with mine to buy something from Digital Sinthesis in Spain. Good thing mine has 100% no liability.

xxxbadassfoxxxx

no if you have no cats you will fail anyway...thats the whole reason for them in the first place...no cats..no sticker

DigitalSynthesis

I passed the emissions test --- Here's what I did:

1 New O2 Sensor
New Plugs, Wires
Adjusted TPS, Adjusted Idle Speed
New Cat
New Exhaust (not necessary)
Hailers' amazing split air solenoid trick
Good timing
About 1 hour of warmup driving
2 Gallons of Denatured Alcohol in a 1/2 tank


My HC's were at 29, down from 1100, out of 170 allowable. My CO was 0.03% (allowed 1.08%), and I forget what the other stuff was but it was ridiculously low.

Another FC blows away the emissions tests!!

HAILERS

We can give credit to SixRotors to the split air solenoid trick. My original thought on that was to jumper a ground to it, for it to stay open all the time but SixRotors suggested to just remove the poppet and spring (temporary of course). Congratulations. Feels just like you stopped hitting your head with a hammer feeling. Feels so good to pass.

79cid

DigitalSynthesis, I can't believe it, I am in the exact same situation as you. I failed Illinois "Air Team" standards (roller test) and just ordered the superflo cat and RP cat-back. I will also be installing new plugs and wires, 02 sensor, re-setting my tps, timing and using Hailers' split air solenoid trick! Hope I have the same luck as you!!
BTW how does the cat-back sound?

DigitalSynthesis

Hehe... that's cool man... they are a good set of mods I think.

The cat-back sounds AWESOME. I am very very happy with it. I have a convertible and the noise with the top down is very satisfying, and not too loud (for me)... but I wouldn't want it any louder. I did have to turn the radio up a few notches, but conversation is still totally possible (and comfortable), and the car just sounds like I think it should have in the first place, more aggressive... it gets a nice deep tone in the low RPMs and verrry sporty in the high ones, I think someone once compared it to a well-tuned crotch rocket at 6000 RPMs... Oh yeah, with the top up (I guess roughly equivalent to your environment), its even quieter, but still you can tell there is a good exhaust on there.

I'm trying to get a write-up done on it, but school and interviews and stuff keep getting in the way.

I can't say whether its given me a LOT more power, but it feels overall a little bit zippier I guess. I think I will be able to pull a bit on my friend's sport Impala now. But its not like having a turbo, of course!