I am new to the mazda world and am replacing my exhaust system with a catback system and know that I need to block off the split air pipe. When I proceed and do this do I need to also remove my air pump and Air control unit or can I just block off the split air pipe outlet?

What year rx?

Rx7 Turbo II 87

this post should be in the 2nd generation section.



someone should make me a moderator https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...DIR#>/wink.png, but look at my magical powers!

Sorry new to this and haven't figured out where everything is located and should be posted. Sorry...

if you replace your cat-back you don't have to touch the ac&cv, that only gets effected when you install a header really. oh and this is a turbo car, hummm yeah you still don't have to touch the ac&cv with cat-back.

Only take out the air pump and ACV if you are removing the CATS for good. Dont' do it if you are just replacing the cat back system.

I was thinking of removing the cats all together and just leaving a catback system without any cats. I do not plan on putting on the cats again. I was informed that I will need to block of the split air outlet. In doing so will this cause damage if I leave the Airpump and air control unints installed or do I need to remove them? What benifit would I receive in removing them?

it simplifies the engine bay, loses some weight, and makes your car stinky.

why stinky?

ac&cv is emissions control device, same with the cat.



remove them and you'll want to avoid walking behind your car, especially at idle.



trust me, so many hydrocarbons will pour out the exhaust it will make your eyes burn. (and it just plain stinks)





at idle, due to the large amount of overlap in our engines (peripheral port exhaust) they run very dirty... our cars don't normally stink in stock form, the air pump, ac&cv, and catalytic converters (why do you think there are so many?) all work to hide this (among other things)



pull it off and you'll see what i'm talking about. The renesis motor will be alot better in this respect, I run my car with no emissions equipment, but man the exhaust at idle it smells so rich.

we measured it a stock fc is like 20-40 ppm of unburned hydrocarbons (fuel), if you take you the cats it goes up to like 1900, and if you take off the airpump it goes up to over 3000 ppm



mike

That is no joke, I have a cat back on, and just gutted the cats, everything else is still on the car, it will make your eyes burn.

So, can I safely leave the aircontrol and air pump on and just put a block off plate on the split air outlet?

yup, but then you have a hole in your cat



mike

Talk about annoying exhaust leak :rant:

I won't have a hole in my cat because I am removing them and replacing it with a down pipe and presilencer.

you're probably better off with a down pipe and rotary compatible high flow cat. (when i say rotary compatible i mean can tolerate the high temps)



unless you don't care about your gf whining about her eyes burning every time she gets her **** outta the hatch with the car idling.

I say get the block off, replace the cats, remove the airpump. That's where I'm headed.

What would be the consequences if I leave air pump and air control installed and working and just block off the split air pipe?

it will run a little cleaner, and idle a bit better



mike