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Thinking of downgrading!? Talk me out of it!

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Old 03-03-12, 07:48 PM
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Thinking of downgrading!? Talk me out of it!

Sup guys -

I have an 89t2 with the following mods:

60-1
Haltech e6k
1600cc secondaries
550cc primaries
Supra rewired FP
3in downpipe
RB midpipe/catback

All emissions removed. I did these upgrades approx. 5-6 years ago, and now i'm at a point in life where I want something more daily driveable.

The car runs great, but the issue is the exhaust fumes are really overbearing. It doesn't make a difference whether I drive with the windows up or down. I'm really considering downgrading back to the stock turbo/manifold and replacing emissions(air pump/highflow cat), but i'd really like to explore any possible fixes for my situation before I take the plunge because I enjoy the power LOL.

On my current list of things to do are replace:

Tail light seals
Shifter seal
Moon roof seals.

Any help is very much appreciated!

Thanks in advance
Old 03-03-12, 07:57 PM
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you could put a cat in it, and retune....
Old 03-03-12, 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted by j9fd3s
you could put a cat in it, and retune....
Wouldn't he need everything else like smog pump etc?

I hate that smell as well. Sounds like a good tune will still produce that fume smell.
Old 03-03-12, 08:28 PM
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If you're getting the smell with the windows up, you're going to need to tear apart the interior and find the leak.
Old 03-03-12, 08:45 PM
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Get a 3" cat and install the air pump. Retune for better emissions/gas mileage, etc...

Sounds like you have an exhaust leak if it's in the car though.
Old 03-03-12, 09:06 PM
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thanks guys for all of the answers. valkyrie: will there be any fitment issues with aftermarket turbo with the air pump.
Old 03-03-12, 09:15 PM
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Originally Posted by cptpain
If you're getting the smell with the windows up, you're going to need to tear apart the interior and find the leak.
+1 My fumes were coming though the shifter, a new seal fixed the issue.
Old 03-03-12, 09:25 PM
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MA

Originally Posted by Jibaro 12A
+1 My fumes were coming though the shifter, a new seal fixed the issue.
That is usually the culprit. A new boot set from Mazda can help fix it.

Odds are though, a catalytic converter is going to be needed to help solve his problem.
Old 03-03-12, 09:31 PM
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Can it be that you removed the pulsation damper? Some people told me that it smells a lot if you do so.

If it really is exhaust fumes, putting a catalytic converter will help a lot. That problem is with all cars modified with straight pipe. Changing the boots and the possible leaks will surely help, but a high flow cat is the best solution.

You will also need an airpump if you do so. I can't remember the name of the brand, but you can buy an electric one, if you don't have the space for the stock one under the hood.
Old 03-03-12, 09:33 PM
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sorry dont have to much experience with cats. so im guessing i need to replace the midpipe with the hi flo cat.
Old 03-03-12, 09:37 PM
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thanks for the info wankelgrandfather i will look into the electric air pump if i find out for sure that the stock one will not fit. someone else with the shifter as the culprit i will definitely be looking into that asap.
Old 03-03-12, 09:43 PM
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or the tune is rough.

i can't even smell anything from my car unless i stand at the rear while the engine is running.

edit: i do believe sometimes i do smell some exhaust when i use the sunroof though, but i rarely use it.
Old 03-03-12, 09:48 PM
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karack: how would i know if my tune is "rough"
Old 03-04-12, 10:26 AM
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Do you have any way of measuring AFRs? Excessively rich ratios are very obvious on a wideband. For example, low load showing 11s, boost showing 10 flat, idle in the 11s, highway cruising in the 13s.

Or if don't have a wideband (why not?!) then pull the plugs and read them. Black and sooty = way too rich.

I agree with others, why not just install a high flow cat and retune if necessary. Your Haltech supports closed loop, so use it.
Old 03-04-12, 10:54 AM
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Thanks for the all of the info so far guys
Old 03-04-12, 01:07 PM
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Don't forget to replace the grommets and reseal where all the wiring comes into the engine bay.
Old 03-04-12, 01:15 PM
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or how aboutj ust fix the exhaust leak you have since thats what it sound like you have a wery bad one at that.
Old 03-04-12, 04:38 PM
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When I had that problem it was due to exhaust leaks. Put all new gaskets on and made a huge difference. And it was quieter, way better to drive daily. Shifter seal stuff is a good idea too...
Old 03-04-12, 08:03 PM
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highflow cat = no need for an air pump .... and it just sounds like you have an awful exhaust leak somewhere because there is no way you should smell exhaust while driving
Old 03-04-12, 08:30 PM
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Check the seal around your hatch too!
Old 03-04-12, 10:32 PM
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Alright!I got a nice list to start .I'll let you know what I find
Old 03-04-12, 10:34 PM
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My PO did major mods way back when the car was new and threw all the emissions equipment away. He installed an HKS Sport turbo,all the HKS electronics, exhaust and FMIC, then later went to the sport turbo upgrade, a T04B turbo. After 2 engines and then Kali changed the way smogs are done in '97, it was very difficult to get a "smog" certificate. In '98 he had the original sport turbo put back on, emissions air pump and stuff put back on with a high flow cat and that is the way the car is today. True, the car ran great before, but I hated driving it back then(very strong at the track, by the way...TT of the Day car each time out...) because of the smell and I didn't know how he was going to sell it to me(12 years later) if we couldn't smog it.

Anyway, the engine is out of it now, but the set up is still with the sport turbo(T04e) and FMIC running 10-13 lbs of boost. I recently switched to an Rtek 2.1(720/1000) instead of going to a stand alone, simply because of the emissions equipment. From all indications, it should work out great.

Last edited by Wms10th; 03-04-12 at 10:48 PM. Reason: finish the story
Old 03-05-12, 11:49 AM
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Obviously the seals will help. Drive any car without tailight seals and its gonna stink. I do wonder what you afr's at idle and light cruise look like?

My car has zero emmisions and unless I told you you would not know it has an aftermarket ecu and no emmisions.

You need to spend some time with your tune.
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