Urgent, Catalytic converter confusion on Mazda mx5 mk1 1990 uk import?

General Discussion Forums MX-5 Chat
2

Hi,
Why does my Mazda mk1 have a cat it’s 1990 uk spec, thought pre 1995 where cat free? My question is can I replace it with a straight through pipe as it has a cat at present.
I believe it is the cause of my car loosing power, the exhaust sounds like it’s blowing and it rattles also.  I think the cat has broken up inside.
Any ideas or advice appreciated.

3

 Because your car is pre 1991 it only needs to pass the BET (basic emissions test) the limits are lower for your age of car, if its a 1.6 0r 1.8 Eunos it will have a 370mm cat which was never designed to meet any UK emission specs. 

All MX5s have always had a cat from new, a cat by-pass pipe will cost £45 on ebay or you could just empy yours out with a long masonary drill.

Good Luck

Dr.Eunos

 

4

Hi,

thanks for the info mines a uk model not import  1.6

5

 On UK models, they were built with a Cat, but only a legal requirement k-reg onward