FTO Catalysator change

[Sebastian]

Seeing that most of the FTO's have problems with emissions because of the catalytic converter , and the price of a new one is over 300eur mark can anyone point how the universal ones are fitted and where is the best place to get/fit them ?

[CJ]

I'd also be interested to hear from folks who have gone the new cat route cost effectively.

Has anyone who had had to change a cat inspected the matrix for visible damage? Does it tend to physically break down?

CJ

[Bernard]

I've had a look at an old cat from the escort, not sure if it's the same set up.
The honeycomb was in bits alright, like a baby's rattle.

[CJ]

The honeycomb was in bits alright, like a baby's rattle.

This is a common RX-8 problem, stock cats are low grade, flooding the engine can cause the matrix to break down (cat ends up soaking wet with unburnt fuel). Tell tale signs include a drop in performance, exhaust rattles and a red hot glowing cat (I kid you not).

I would be of the opinion that most FTO emissions issues are caused by faulty lambda \ MAF (non-Mivec and GS) sensors. In the case of that latter, a dirty or fault MAF sensor can cause overfueling which in turn increases emissions. The question is, can a physically sound cat lose its ability efficiently oxidise pollutants when the matrix is intact?

CJ

[colm_mcm]

Cat should be removed as a preventitive measure and fitted only for NCT

[Sebastian]

anyone?

[fatboyfat7]

I found this earlier. It looks to good to be true though... You'd have to suss out shipping but even if it was €50 theres still over €100 saved. I'll just sit back now and wait for someone to correct me, surely this would have been found by now if it was suitable. I have little faith....

http://www.onlineautomotive.co.uk/searc ... se_bt_id=7

[Myfeckin FTO]

Cat should be removed as a preventitive measure and fitted only for NCT

Good advice (if not exactly environmentally sound) - a decat pipe is a good investment for a number of reasons.

[Mustang]

I found this earlier. It looks to good to be true though... You'd have to suss out shipping but even if it was €50 theres still over €100 saved. I'll just sit back now and wait for someone to correct me, surely this would have been found by now if it was suitable. I have little faith....

http://www.onlineautomotive.co.uk/searc ... se_bt_id=7

Looks like an excellent price. If they say it fits I'm sure it does. With a relatively niche car like the FTO there's always a perception that the cars rareity extends to the parts also. Model not listed in parts catalogues etc. When in reality is works on the same principle and shares many common service parts with lots of bread and butter stuff. You get so accustomed to the constant search for parts that are not difficult to obtain/over priced, that when a resonably priced alternative comes along it seems almost too good to be true.

[Mustang]

Here's another crowd -not so competitive on the pricing front, but might be a useful resource for other car models.
They list two cats each for Mivec and non mivec. one with a H attached on the end. Only thing I can think of is H for heat shield?
The model year definition does not really draw any distinction, and I'd expect the cat design to be teh same through teh models life.

The also douniversal cats. Anyone know what the dimensions of the FTO cat are?

[colm_mcm]

I'd say the H is for temp/heat sensor? some FTOs don't have them