Region: SFR/Cal Club
Car #: 15
Year : 1990 Posts: 22
Status: Offline
posted
We are in the process of finishing up our 1.6 and the one thing holding us up is the exhaust downpipe. The current one off the car had the mounting flange cut off for an aftermarket catalytic converter. We are wondering if it would be rules compliant to mount to this with a slip fit or if we need to find another downpipe with the flange on it. If anyone can help that would be great!
Region: southwest
Car #: 14
Year : 90 Posts: 739
Status: Offline
posted
Related question, the flange on my downpipe is slighly warped, thus causing an minor exhaust leak. Is this repairable? Can I just cut the flange off and use a slip fitting of something like that?
TIA for your feedback
-------------------- "The problem with Socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money." ~Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher "A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have." ~Thomas Jefferson
Region: WDCR - 042
Car #: 75
Year : 93 & 95 & 99 Posts: 3727
Status: Offline
posted
It must be stock. You cannot cut or alter.
They rust like crazy and are brittle from the factory. They are cheap enough to buy new.
-------------------- Mike Collins MEATHEAD Racing http://www.SHEETZ.com The MEATHEAD Racing 2010 Calendar is up!!!! www.MEATHEADRacing.com SMAC Member WDCR-SCCA SM Drivers Rep. ALL OPINIONS ON RULES OR SPECIFICATIONS ARE JUST THAT, MY OPINIONS!
Region: WDCR - 042
Car #: 75
Year : 93 & 95 & 99 Posts: 3727
Status: Offline
posted
quote:Originally posted by TimBuck: Rust? what's that?
Its an east coast thing
You wouldn't understand
-------------------- Mike Collins MEATHEAD Racing http://www.SHEETZ.com The MEATHEAD Racing 2010 Calendar is up!!!! www.MEATHEADRacing.com SMAC Member WDCR-SCCA SM Drivers Rep. ALL OPINIONS ON RULES OR SPECIFICATIONS ARE JUST THAT, MY OPINIONS!
Region: NWR/Oregon
Car #: #26
Year : 1991 Posts: 334
Status: Offline
posted
Somewhat of a related question....what is the deal with the heat shield. Mine keeps rattling like crazy. I have had it welded once and it is loose again. Must it be retained or can it be removed. And is its' purpose to protect the starter from excessive heat?
Thanks ------------------- Bill (WA)
-------------------- William Bonsell SCCA/ICSCC #26 SM/ITA
Region: Cincy / Great Lakes Div
Car #: 10
Year : 1991 Posts: 503
Status: Offline
posted
I'm reasonably sure that there are several individuals out there that have dozens of downpipes from when they were flowing them looking for that little advantage.
Just keep asking.
Jerry
-------------------- Just driving SM until the F-1 car is ready.
The heat shield can be removed. Up here where I live, the rust usually removes it for you. I had the same problem you did, and the first time I removed the tranny, I removed the heat shield.
12.6 Exhaust System The stock down pipe must be used. However any single exhaust pipe may be used, providing that it has a maximum outside diameter of 2.25 inches (+ 0.0625 tolerance). The stock muffler may be retained, discarded, or replaced with any other muffler, providing that it serves no otherpurpose than to quiet the exhaust. All exhaust must exit aft of the rear sub-frame. Stock exhaust heat shielding may be removed.
-------------------- Tony Senese SM#99 2008 NASA-NE SM Champion NASA-NE SM Director 2008 PRO-IT SM 3rd place http://www.nosenseyet.com/coppermine
Region: chicago
Car #: 72 and ?
Year : 90 and 90 Posts: 1051
Status: Offline
posted
Do not remove the heat shield. It may be legal but you will cook your right foot without it. Use a simple radiator hose clamp around the pipe where the welds are broken. Fixes the buzz without baking your toes Dave
-------------------- Advanced Autosports, The Midwests leader in Spec Miata Service, Parts and Rentals 608-313-1230 Authorised Spec Miata service center www.advanced-autosports.com
Region: STL
Car #: 35
Year : #795 SRF Posts: 1209
Status: Offline
posted
What dave said. Spend some pennies and buy a new one from Mazda and they come with the shield on them. I had one with no shield for a while and got 2nd degree burns on my foot from it, even with reflective tape and insulation in the footwell.
A slip fit isn't legal, it needs to be the factory part in its entirety.
quote:Originally posted by davew: Do not remove the heat shield. It may be legal but you will cook your right foot without it. Use a simple radiator hose clamp around the pipe where the welds are broken. Fixes the buzz without baking your toes Dave
+1 Ask me how I know? Car i have was missing its heatshield when I bought it. Cooked my foot the first qualifying session in the heat.
quote:Originally posted by Rich: What dave said. Spend some pennies and buy a new one from Mazda and they come with the shield on them. I had one with no shield for a while and got 2nd degree burns on my foot from it, even with reflective tape and insulation in the footwell.
LOL! Exact same experience, reflective tape and burns! Yea, I can laugh about it now....
Region: mid south
Car #: 2
Year : 1999 Posts: 4275
Status: Offline
posted
I had the value pipe on my 94 and w/o doubt your foot will not make it less the heat shield of some sort... If the intimidating corners dont get your foot off the gas pedal, the heat will. I remember it being so bad I would push gas pedal with my left foot on straights.
Region: southwest
Car #: 14
Year : 90 Posts: 739
Status: Offline
posted
Instead of starting a new thread, thought it better to add to this one.
Does the stock narrow band air/fuel ratio need to be connected for the car the run properly at the track? I know it affect street/low speed driving but how about those times when we are not WOT (hence not in close loop mode) at the track?
Since I just ordered a new stock downpipe, will I need to weld in a new threaded port for the wide band or can I just use the factory header port and toss the factory narrow band?
TIA
[ 11-24-2008, 02:37 PM: Message edited by: cam ]
-------------------- "The problem with Socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money." ~Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher "A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have." ~Thomas Jefferson
Region: SF
Car #: RIP #56
Year : -- Posts: 663
Status: Offline
posted
Cam-
I'm pretty sure a new Mazda downpipe has an additional O2 bung in it so you'll be all set. I installed a wideband in my car and ran without the narrowband sensor in testing and the car is unruly when you're going between off and on throttle, even if you attempt to avoid maintenance throttle altogether (which doesn't work well, at all).
Region: NY
Car #: 48
Year : 90 Posts: 74
Status: Offline
posted
Does anyone know the answer to this question. Can I run the INNOVATE air/fuel sensor in my car in a race. And can we install the bung in the downpipe. How far into the pipe should the sensor protrude ??
-------------------- JEFF GRUTER SM #48 EXCELL MOTORSPORTS PARAMOUNT TOOL & EQUIPTMENT http://www.ptetool.com/
Region: central nj
Car #: under construction
Year : 1996 Posts: 42
Status: Offline
posted
this might be a stupid question but i just bought a springfeild dyno exsaust do you have to get a new downpipe for the rear o2 sensor or can you leave it out
Region: central nj
Car #: under construction
Year : 1996 Posts: 42
Status: Offline
posted
im trying to install my exsaust and it is on a angle does the new downpipes compensate for that or do i have to move pipes around to make it fit
JIM DANIELS
Guest
Status: Offline
posted
quote:Originally posted by johnh23: im trying to install my exsaust and it is on a angle does the new downpipes compensate for that or do i have to move pipes around to make it fit
Should bolt right up.
Assuming you do not have a CA emissions car, it will bolt right up.
quote:Originally posted by johnh23: IT JUST SEEMS TO BE ON A ANGLE AND HITTING THE TRANS TUNNLE
Welcome to the club. Make sure your motor mounts are intact and then take it to a shop and have it rewelded at the correct angle. My springfield dyno exhaust had the same "not even close" fit.
-------------------- It really makes my week when nobody crashes into me.
Region: NWR / Oregon
Car #: 88
Year : 95 Posts: 2000
Status: Offline
posted
I found I could get SD to go from not fitting well at all to dead on. It doesn't appear to work for everyone but I found a lot of variability with the way I could get it pointed too far up, down, right, left or just right with some patience by just twisting and giggling (the exhaust that is).
-------------------- Keith Novak (Will work for tires)
Region: Great Lakes/Detroit
Car #: 51
Year : 1994 Miata Posts: 401
Status: Offline
posted
Same here. SD exhaust angle was way off. The explanation I received is that there seem to be a couple of different down pipe angles from the same Mazda part number on the 94-97s. Some cars it will bolt right up and others it won't. SD said they were considering selling a unit with the front flange tossed in the box for your local shop to weld up. They sent me a new flange and I had a local shop line it up.