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smog!missing catalytic converter

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Old 02-29-12 | 07:30 PM
  #1  
Armorgreen's Avatar
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From: Oxnard
Unhappy smog!missing catalytic converter

hey i was looking for tips or help to pass smog, i just bought my first rx7 and when i took it in to check smog it failed with poor results with the output buring twice the amout of gas and releasing twice the amout of something else ahah i forgot what but the point is when they took a closer look they informed me that my 7 is missing two other catalytic converters and my EGR valve is not woring.
pleass if anyone has tips help.
thanks

ps how bad is it?
Old 02-29-12 | 09:46 PM
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From: San Francisco
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Armo,

If you hit the red "Search" button at the top of the page, you will find dozens of smog-related threads with solutions to your problems.

I'll help you here, though. You need a functioning EGR valve to pass Cali smog, so that needs to be replaced. You can buy one brand new or place a "WTB: FD EGR valve" post in the classified section. I replaced mine 2 smogs ago, and that's what got my car to pass.

The stock FD has a precat immediately after the turbos and a main cat next in line. The precat is not necessary to pass the sniff test, but you do need to have a working main cat and a working smog pump, otherwise the chances of passing would be extremely low. One smog ago, I got a fresh new "OEM replacement" cat welded in place of the stock rusty rattlecan heatsoaker for ~$200 for cat and the welding. Any muffler shop should be able to do this for you, and it's usually a Magnaflow brand cat, which will flow better and is also about 25 lbs lighter than the stock cat.

This should be where you start.
Old 03-05-12 | 11:26 PM
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For clarification, replacing the EGR valve got rid of my check engine light, which the smog tech was noticing. It probably doesn't actually affect emissions very much.
Old 04-05-13 | 06:29 PM
  #4  
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From: SF Bay Area
I'm in the same situation. Just got mine last week. But I'm missing the catalytic converters. I have thought of getting magnaflow direct fit main converter. Glad I did a search prior to posting....
Old 04-13-13 | 02:14 PM
  #5  
Koguma's Avatar
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From: Orange County
Yeah you are pretty much limited to replacing the converter
Old 04-14-13 | 01:34 AM
  #6  
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From: Smiths Falls.(near Ottawa!.Mapquest IT!)
You would help others by Posting Which CAR you have so they do not keep on Guessing.
S4,S5..FB,FC..FD...F-me?
Old 04-15-13 | 11:02 PM
  #7  
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From: Minnesota USA
On my 86 RX7 Non Turbo when I pull off the vacuum line on the EGR valve and push the plunger up with my finger, plug the vacuum port with my other finger and let go of the plunger, it doesn't hold vacuum. I see the diaphragm is a little weathered but no huge holes. Is this a problem? Also My exhaust system is pretty shot and am wondering what catalytic converters I need to keep everything running good. The car is pretty much stock. I was told the 6 port actuators run off of exhaust backpressure. Do I need all 3 cats to maintain a good running engine or which ones can I remove if any. I don't need to pass any emissions tests, I just want the car to run good. Thank you very much for everybody's help!
Old 04-17-13 | 09:41 PM
  #8  
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From: Minnesota USA
Any and all help would be much appreciated!
Old 04-18-13 | 11:26 AM
  #9  
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From: Southern, CA
Originally Posted by ncds_fc
I'm in the same situation. Just got mine last week. But I'm missing the catalytic converters. I have thought of getting magnaflow direct fit main converter. Glad I did a search prior to posting....
pick up a SARD catalytic converter, valve and call it a day. lol.
Old 04-23-13 | 10:31 PM
  #10  
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From: Minnesota USA
I hate to beg for help but this is the only place I can find people who know what they're talking about.
Old 04-23-13 | 10:58 PM
  #11  
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From: San Diego, CA
dude honestly, this is the white trash way of doing things, instead of blowing all that paper, find the most shady looking smog place, pay $250, and get a "special smog". thats what ive done and would do again if i ever had to register my FD in Cali
Old 05-19-13 | 07:56 PM
  #12  
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From: sacramento
Hopefully you pass soon. When I first bought my fc it had a clogged cat and the car was barely making any power. And it passed smog. Lol I don't even know how that happen. But crazy as it sounds it passed.
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