Question for 1999+ owners only
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 46
Likes: 4
From: Albuquerque, NM
Question for 1999+ owners only
This is not a new question at all but I want to hear directly from S8 or 1999+ owners.
I still have not seen a lot of details about our updated ECU comparing to previous years
Has anyone here run the stock downpipe, an aftermarket cat and cat back on the stock ECU?
I understand that the 3 mods don't matter as long as the boost is maintained no more than 10psi.
My car is bone stock from intake to exhaust. However, due to emissions, I have to run a cat for smog. I think my stock cat is done for. The only drop in option I can find in the US is the magnaflow cat, unless someone knows a different option. The stock exhaust still works OK but got scraped pretty well on the bottom, so I'd like to get the RB dual tip as the replacement. Both of the new cat and exhaust are bigger than the OEM but still restrictive. Would it be safe to run my car in this configuration? Intake will remain untouched.
Thanks all,
I still have not seen a lot of details about our updated ECU comparing to previous years
Has anyone here run the stock downpipe, an aftermarket cat and cat back on the stock ECU?
I understand that the 3 mods don't matter as long as the boost is maintained no more than 10psi.
My car is bone stock from intake to exhaust. However, due to emissions, I have to run a cat for smog. I think my stock cat is done for. The only drop in option I can find in the US is the magnaflow cat, unless someone knows a different option. The stock exhaust still works OK but got scraped pretty well on the bottom, so I'd like to get the RB dual tip as the replacement. Both of the new cat and exhaust are bigger than the OEM but still restrictive. Would it be safe to run my car in this configuration? Intake will remain untouched.
Thanks all,
A usdm cat will bolt into the 99. The magnaflow unit will work as well sure. It seems your question is if overboost/boost creep when making things less restrictive was somehow fixed through a software update. While the vacuum system was "updated" everything is still the same.
The boost creep issue isn't a guarantee, its a potential risk. It doesn't affect everyone the same. With a form of catalyst in place and the stock intake, the odds are very high you will be fine. Without actually seeing your boost pressure, its a guess though. If yours has the stock boost gauge, I wouldnt solely rely on that for data. You would need an independent gauge, if only temporary.
I owned a 99 during my time in Japan. I had it for about a year. It is largely no different than any other FD. There's no need to zero in your queries, whether searches or questions, to only 99+. Unless of course it is specifically a 96+ related item which for the most part starts and ends with the black box.
The boost creep issue isn't a guarantee, its a potential risk. It doesn't affect everyone the same. With a form of catalyst in place and the stock intake, the odds are very high you will be fine. Without actually seeing your boost pressure, its a guess though. If yours has the stock boost gauge, I wouldnt solely rely on that for data. You would need an independent gauge, if only temporary.
I owned a 99 during my time in Japan. I had it for about a year. It is largely no different than any other FD. There's no need to zero in your queries, whether searches or questions, to only 99+. Unless of course it is specifically a 96+ related item which for the most part starts and ends with the black box.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 46
Likes: 4
From: Albuquerque, NM
A usdm cat will bolt into the 99. The magnaflow unit will work as well sure. It seems your question is if overboost/boost creep when making things less restrictive was somehow fixed through a software update. While the vacuum system was "updated" everything is still the same.
The boost creep issue isn't a guarantee, its a potential risk. It doesn't affect everyone the same. With a form of catalyst in place and the stock intake, the odds are very high you will be fine. Without actually seeing your boost pressure, its a guess though. If yours has the stock boost gauge, I wouldnt solely rely on that for data. You would need an independent gauge, if only temporary.
I owned a 99 during my time in Japan. I had it for about a year. It is largely no different than any other FD. There's no need to zero in your queries, whether searches or questions, to only 99+. Unless of course it is specifically a 96+ related item which for the most part starts and ends with the black box.
The boost creep issue isn't a guarantee, its a potential risk. It doesn't affect everyone the same. With a form of catalyst in place and the stock intake, the odds are very high you will be fine. Without actually seeing your boost pressure, its a guess though. If yours has the stock boost gauge, I wouldnt solely rely on that for data. You would need an independent gauge, if only temporary.
I owned a 99 during my time in Japan. I had it for about a year. It is largely no different than any other FD. There's no need to zero in your queries, whether searches or questions, to only 99+. Unless of course it is specifically a 96+ related item which for the most part starts and ends with the black box.
Yes, I will also be installing an independent boost gauge to monitor it. I've been hearing and just reading about the "99 specs" too much, so that everything starts with new updated stuff starting in the 99 in my head.
The updated stuff is aggressively minor and non influential on the car as whole. It makes for an overall nicer machine but they are "0.5" level updates. The care is still version 6.00 lol
They break the same, mod the same (mostly), have attitudes the same..... its all the same. The most major difference is engine electrical because of the 16bit stuff but its rare thats its relevant during troubleshooting.
Mechanically, all concepts from all year and versions of FDs cross besides the obvious to include the location of the steering wheel. Just something to consider when looking for information.
Redbul will be here shortly to tell you about the ignition system lol
They break the same, mod the same (mostly), have attitudes the same..... its all the same. The most major difference is engine electrical because of the 16bit stuff but its rare thats its relevant during troubleshooting.
Mechanically, all concepts from all year and versions of FDs cross besides the obvious to include the location of the steering wheel. Just something to consider when looking for information.
Redbul will be here shortly to tell you about the ignition system lol
For Version 4 and newer FD, Mazda changed the position of the coils. As a result you need to know how the coil harness and spark plug leads hook up to the newly positioned coils.
Failure to hook up in the right order may result in the plugs firing at the wrong time and can cause serious damage, even engine failure.
This emerged as a big problem, even in Japan, as mechanics were so used to hooking up the coils and plugs the previous way.
Therefore you need to be cautious any time anyone works on your car in the area of the plugs and coils.
Failure to hook up in the right order may result in the plugs firing at the wrong time and can cause serious damage, even engine failure.
This emerged as a big problem, even in Japan, as mechanics were so used to hooking up the coils and plugs the previous way.
Therefore you need to be cautious any time anyone works on your car in the area of the plugs and coils.
Here is a download with all the updates to the original FSM. The password is part of the file name.
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-gen-gene...002-a-1127911/
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-gen-gene...002-a-1127911/
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Post up some pics of your RHD adventures here.
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-gen-gene...ition-1148527/
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-gen-gene...ition-1148527/
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 46
Likes: 4
From: Albuquerque, NM
Sudden loss of compression? Don't drive it anymore!
You want to protect as much of the internals as posible.
And your turbo impellers.
You want to protect as much of the internals as posible.
And your turbo impellers.
Last edited by Redbul; Jan 15, 2026 at 01:36 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 46
Likes: 4
From: Albuquerque, NM
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 46
Likes: 4
From: Albuquerque, NM
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