In my used RX-7 search, I found an 86 RX-7 that appears at first glance to be ok, however it is stated that it is missing the catalytic converter and has a pipe replacing it. Such are the blessings of living in Rural Oklahoma, they don't check emissions. Actually, they don't check anything at all.

However, I live in Dallas, and I need to pass emissions, and I am certain that I won't pass without it. Normally, I would ignore this. Next year it will be exempt from having emissions done (cars older than 24 years old are exempt in Texas) so I would be tempted to just try to sneak it around town until then. However, to get the title transferred, I MUST get the car inspected first, since I am transferring it from out of state.

So my question is: Is the S4's Catalytic Converter welded in, or is it bolted in with a gasket? I have been looking in the manual and microfiche found on www.rx7city.com and mazdamotorsports.com respectively, and it indicates it's bolted in. However, I searched through this forum to find a few answers to indicate it's welded.

 

Being a 1stgen guy, I don't have a clue...thread is released, let's see if any 2ndgen guru's are lurking about, late at night.

Mario III

 

Resolved it myself

I got a hold of a friend I know who was big into 2nd gens for awhile. He said that they are bolted in with a 3 bolt flange and gasket.

 

weird, myy friend with his 86 just got his safety sticker no problem

 

You mean two bolt flange and gasket.

 

He said 3, but of course he isn't perfect.

I did correspond with the seller, and the test pipe is bolted in, not welded.

Now oppa637, that 86 that your friend got inspected, was it missing it's cat? I figured that without I would have little hope of passing the sniffer test.

 

There is no sniffer test...its a safety inspection. Long as the car lights work, seatbelts, and so forth...it passed

 

Hmmm, well maybe I will get lucky. The state law says all cars 25 years old and up. Or maybe that was in a non-emissions county. I know Dallas is an emissions county.

 

its actually 24 years

 

The state laws say pretty clearly, all cars from 2 years old to 24 years old (inclusive) shall get an emissions test. Of course if they count 86 as year 1, 87 as year 2, etc, then 2010 would be year 25.

 

yup last time i checked it was bolted on not welded.

 

Checked with the local inspection station I like to use. It's confirmed, as of 2010, 1986 and older RX-7s are now exempted from the emission portion of the Texas state inspection.