Applicable to: '90 - '97
Catalytic converter by Rod Millen (looks like someone elses cat with RM welding the flanges on
Story so far -Flunked DEQ on NOX level -Bought Rod Millen cat $140 (good quality welds etc. except bolts too short) -Removed cat after 3 days of liquid wrench on old nuts (old cat was partially broken inside) -Installed cat, easy -Passed DEQ, no worries
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Rod Millen High-Flow cat $149 (Excellent Price)
My '90 was not passing its smog test and my mechanic told me that my cat that had gone bad. So now that i was in the market i thought that i might as well get something that will increase my power. I searched for about a week and finally found Millen Motorsports (which was located locally in Huntington Beach Cali.) I was very impressed at the price of this cat (one of the leading reasons for my purchase). Their shop was very respectable and the employee seemed to know what he was talking about. The cat came in ok packaging with new hardware and gaskets. I took it home and it fit perfectly. the hardest part of the install was taking the old one off. The only complaint i had was that the bolts provided were too short and i had to use the original ones (no biggy). As soon as i could i went for a spin and immediately noticed an increase in throttle response and a slightly deeper exhaust sound especially with the top down. I am very pleased with my purchase!
Great price, quality, and performance. definitely recommend.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to '90 - '97 1.6 liter
Rod Millen Catalytic Converter 1.6.
The old cat is removed and the new cat is bolted in. The fit was perfect. Bolts and gaskets came supplied. The box arrived with cat and gaskets after several weeks. A couple days later, the nuts and bolts came. I don't know if this is normal or not for Rod Millen. The cat is manufactured by another company so I assume the design is by Rod Millen. Anyway, it makes a difference. Five minutes to install and a some smell/smoke the first day. I already had the Racing Beat CAI and Jaskson Racing Sport Cat Back Exhaust for a couple years now so I know how the car performed before this cat. I am also planning a 8psi turbo soon. The exhaust sound is now louder and the car breathes easier than before. I am very pleased with this product.
Good quality feel and welds. The car feels a bit quicker and exhaust sound is better than before. Would do again for the $149 plus shipping. Shipping was slow and I received no notice if unit was on back order but credit card processing was immedate.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter
this product appeared to have very good quality and smaller than the stock cat. the welds were very well applied. it comes unpainted, with included gaskets and bolts.
this product was a great fit. it bolted on like it was a direct replacement. i knew the stock nut would be difficult so a little liquid wrench shower the night before was done, nuts came right off.
took it for a test and i immedietly felt that the respose was improved. acceleration was better than stock. the higher flow resulted in a deeper growl with my newly installed z28 camaro exhaust for the spare relocation. very very highly recommended!! rod millen rocks, they are located in huntingtonbeach california. rodmillen.com
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Rod Millen Hi-Flow Catalytic Converter
My stock catalytic converter was destroyed by a shorted spark plug cable. How, you ask? The shorted cable would not charge the plug and so the fuel mixture from cylinder # 3 was not igniting. This unspent fuel collected in the catalytic converter and overheated it until it was glowing red. The heat was enough to cause the ceramic type material in the converter to crack and eventually shift sideways until it would no longer let exhaust pass through it. My local Mazda dealer wanted an outragous amount of money to replace the converter. I checked with Jackson Racing and Rod Millen Motorsports. Rod Millen had a hi-flow replacement unit in stock for $169 plus tax & shipping. I ordered it and received it 3 days later. The converter was a breaze to install once the jam nuts from the stock converter were removed. As anyone who has replaced their muffler system knows, the bolts that connect the muffler and header to the converter are a real "bear." I had to use an impact wrench on them. These bolts twisted and broke before the nuts would budge. The ruined bolts were of no matter, as Rod Millen supplied the required bolts, nuts and gaskets. The new converter was a perfect fit and was easy to work on since the flanges that bolt to the header and final muffler were more exposed than on the stocker. The engine seems to rev more freely than the with the stocker. I would imagine that those who have purchased hi-flow intake and exhaust systems would benefit the most. Overall, I'm pleased with the purchase. It got me through my smog check for a lot less money than a Mazda unit would have cost me and it performs better than a stock unit. The box DOES advertise that the product is "California Air Resource Board" approved.
The unit was painted black (stocker is unfinished stainless steel). The first two or three short drives will heat-cure this paint, but you will smell it when getting out of your car after the first couple rides.
| Back to Product Reviews | 15 April, 2001 |