Hi,

I have placed a deposit on a 2002 Bug wrx today and the engine management light is on, the owner said it has done this since the up-pipe and center section cats were removed for Sti items.

Is this a standard response after decatting ? (the downpipe cat is still in situ and it is still within MOT passable emissions limits) The lead from the original up pipe is disconnected which i think is causing the EML light to come on.

Do i have anything to worry about?

I understand many owners replace the up-pipe cat as if it breaks up can cause other things to break, would it be sensible to re-fit an up-pipe? I am not bothered about more power etc i just plan to enjoy it for what it is.

Any advice appreciated

 

STi up-pipe has no EGT sensor hole........the CEL light is probably lit because the ECU thinks the EGT sensor is missing (which it is).

Dead easy to map out LOL

Shaun

 

PS

Any link to the sale ?

Shaun

 

Hi mate, glad you have finally found a car.

It will more than likely need a remap to ensure its not overboosting due to the cats being removed - the mapper will map the cel light out for you at the same time.

I would be wary of how long the car has been run for without a map, for fear of prolonged overboosting.

Good luck.

 

Overboosting / boost spikes are not a problem for the Bug WRX if de-catted...........the small TD04 turbo can't flow enough air. It's just that de-catting doesn't produce any more power as the ECU goes on it's merry way LOL

The Bug STi with the VF35 turbo which is much bigger did suffer from boost spikes and needed re-mapping.

Shaun

 

thanks for the responses so far,

I have read about the resistor fix to remove the EML - is this the way forward?

 

3k resistor

 

3k

I read it was a 2.2k 0.5 watt resistor ( that was on NASIOC though)

Oh and as silly as it sounds I don't want to go down the remap route for more power etc

Cheers

 

Just to confirm,

I can use the resistor mod to cancel the EML to keep the up pipe decatted (i would change it back but i understand its a pig of a job and also the cat breaking up is a scary thought) and this is perfectly fine?

Secondly i am wondering whether to put the cat back in the centre section or is it ok to run with this decatted too?

 

any ideas scoobynetters?

 

Use the resistor fix to get rid of the CEL and run the car as it is........the DENSO ECU will compensate so no need for a re-map and the downpipe cat should pass the MOT if it's hot enough

Sorted

Shaun

 

Sweet cheers for clearing that up Shaun

I remember reading (back when i had my JDM classic) that the newages were more sensitive to exhaust changes etc in terms of needing mapping etc whereas on a classic you can safely run a turbo back exhaust + fuel pump and not need to worry.

As its my new toy i just wanted to make sure it was "safe"

 

Pete, generally speaking I think you're correct.

Although some Classic STi's have been known to suffer boost creep when decatting and not remapping for.

 

TBH you can almost do what you like to the Bug WRX, it left the factory in a low state of tune and the DENSO ECU is pretty clever. The small TD04 doesn't boost creep or overboost either whatever you do LOL

The STi is a bit more highly tuned with a bigger turbo and tends to boost spike if de-catted and needs re-mapping.

Shaun

 

Hi guys i have same problem,what resistor do i need and where does it go?