O.E. manifold, no precats...w/ PICS! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

z27ls3 · 01-28-2012, 09:46 AM

so I just pulled the #2 o2 sensor (left side) and can look into the manifold thru 02 hole. theres nothing in there, 100% hollow as far as I can see. A 10" screwdriver can go all the way down & hits nothing.
the pics on this website linked below show the pre-cats right under the o2 sensors, 3 rd and 4th pic on link........
I'll assume my car has already had then "eliminated"? right?
this weblink shows an exhaust just like mine but precats are right inside the holes below oxygen sensors.
weblink: http://www.mr2oc.co.uk/forums/200/122595.html
heres mine:

my engine:

chip:

so what do you all think?
I'll assume I have a car previously owned by someone thinking ahead like I am, as the car was well sorted and modified.
I got the car last summer with just over 40k miles. the previous owner had put a unichip in, TRD muffler, not sure on the rest of exhaust, cold air intake, full TRD chassis and suspension, ect.... too much to list. I believe the previous owner either cleaned the pre cats or "had it done" I can poke a screwdriver all the way down and nothing is inside there.

this car is in the Nashville Tn area, and has been. does anyone on here know of it?

***MR2Jedi*** · 01-28-2012, 11:04 AM

I guess thats a Spyder. You don't mention model or year.
If so,there was a precat issue that was resolved in '03, if the info on this site is correct. So they probably gutted the cat to fix it.
Not really sure what your question is.

z27ls3 · 01-28-2012, 11:22 AM

the question is "if I can poke a screwdriver 10-12" down thru the pictured o2 sensor hole is the pre cat gone? "

i think yes. but not sure.

z27ls3 · 01-28-2012, 11:23 AM

its my wifes 2000 mr2 spyder
45k

***MR2Jedi*** · 01-28-2012, 01:39 PM

I had an '01. I never experienced the PreCat problem. But yes, looks like yours has been gutted.
Is there another cat in the exhaust system?
I'm guessing you're in California, with their strict smog laws.

z27ls3 · 01-28-2012, 05:31 PM

I really dont know if theres a cat or not, the exhaust manifold must be gutted as the prior owner did almost every mod short of forced induction.
I know the exhaust muffler is OE TRD, its got the tag and TRD is stamped in the muffler.
here in Tn., my county does have emissions testing. they even plug in and check for codes, check engine light or P1000 for drive cycles is a fail.
the first thing the emissions tester does is put the big mirror under the car to verify the cats are there, last year when I got tested the tester "checked" under the car in between the front and rear wheels

too bad the exhaust is all in the very rear, basically as long as the check engine lamp is off and no codes you get to ride.

***MR2Jedi*** · 01-28-2012, 06:37 PM

Well , good you don't have emissions tests there. Neither do we , here next door in AR.
Thank God, since I'm am catless.
So what are your concerns about not having a cat?

z27ls3 · 01-29-2012, 02:10 PM

I'm not worried about the main cat, it really doesnt matter. I was just attempting to confirm the precats are gutted, as suspected they would almost have to be. The book of receipts I have shows that exhaust manifold as being sent out for "jet hot" coating. I bet the previous owner had gutted that manifold before sending it out for the coating. I'm really just attempting to address any potential issue as I have a few dollars in this car and want it to last for a long time.
the wife really likes that car and I want it to last at least 6/7+ years with minimal additional investment.

RPAltman · 02-02-2012, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z27ls3

I'm not worried about the main cat, it really doesnt matter. I was just attempting to confirm the precats are gutted, as suspected they would almost have to be. The book of receipts I have shows that exhaust manifold as being sent out for "jet hot" coating. I bet the previous owner had gutted that manifold before sending it out for the coating. I'm really just attempting to address any potential issue as I have a few dollars in this car and want it to last for a long time.
the wife really likes that car and I want it to last at least 6/7+ years with minimal additional investment.

In the 3+ years I've been active on the MR2/Spyder forums, I have not heard of someone sending out the OEM exhaust manifold header for "jet hot" powder coating.. but, just because it's not been discussed on the forum doesn't mean someone hasn't done it.

How is the car driving? Do you have any issues with bogging while accelerating? How is the oil consumption? If you are not experiencing any of the symptoms of pre-cat syndrome -- and the pre-cats aren't there, it seems reasonable to assume that your pre-cats were removed by a prior owner and are not clogging your main catalytic converter or scoring your cylinders.

Rich

z27ls3 · 02-03-2012, 06:19 AM

good point on the manifold, so far no bogging or issues. I basically did the research and wanted to make sure I am ok, its apparent now the previous owner took care of all possible issues.

RPAltman · 02-03-2012, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z27ls3

good point on the manifold, so far no bogging or issues. I basically did the research and wanted to make sure I am ok, its apparent now the previous owner took care of all possible issues.

Considering the powdercoated TRD rear strut tower brace and the custom carbon fiber coil pack cover, at least one of the previous owners seems to have done a lot of work on your car..

Can you post some more pictures of the car?

Rich