13 replies to this topic

[KiwiMR2]

Hey guys

Have just had a mate take a look under my mini to see what he can do to upgrade the exhaust & we noticed the sensor attached just after the cat, my question is do we really have to have it there or can we bin it?

I'm assuming we need it so if we get rid of the cat (or at least bang out it's honeycomb) are we going to have a problem with it running rich or lean etc.? What is the common practice on the SPI's when you attack the exhaust?

Cheers
KiwiMR2

[df13]

Hey guys

Have just had a mate take a look under my mini to see what he can do to upgrade the exhaust & we noticed the sensor attached just after the cat, my question is do we really have to have it there or can we bin it?

I'm assuming we need it so if we get rid of the cat (or at least bang out it's honeycomb) are we going to have a problem with it running rich or lean etc.? What is the common practice on the SPI's when you attack the exhaust?

Cheers
KiwiMR2

don't bin it it's the lambda sensor it tells the ECU the correct air/fuel mixture thingi lol! plug it back in

David x.

[KiwiMR2]

Sweet, so we can clear out the cat & just pulg it back in etc.? should still run fine?

Cheers
KiwiMR2

[df13]

yer just make sure it's not damaged or anything before u do

David x.

[KiwiMR2]

Super, cheers

KiwiMR2

Edited by KiwiMR2, 28 March 2008 - 12:31 AM.

[the.stroker]

dont forget if you take the cat of the car you will need to put it back on come mot time. have you got theoriginal manifold still attached,if yes i recomend you get a long center branch manifold and de-cat at the same time,i put a maniflow system on my 93 registered cooper spi,kept the cat and it runs so much better,sounds sweet combined with a twin dtm playmini stainless back box,go to www maniflow.co.uk for further info,dont forget you need an injection lcb as apposed to a carb one ( injection one has a hole for the lamda sensor ),good luck

Edited by the.stroker, 28 March 2008 - 12:55 AM.

[KiwiMR2]

dont forget if you take the cat of the car you will need to put it back on come mot time. have you got theoriginal manifold still attached,if yes i recomend you get a long center branch manifold and de-cat at the same time,i put a maniflow system on my 93 registered cooper spi,kept the cat and it runs so much better,sounds sweet combined with a twin dtm playmini stainless back box,go to www maniflow.co.uk for further info,dont forget you need an injection lcb as apposed to a carb one ( injection one has a hole for the lamda sensor ),good luck

Cool, plenty of info there

No "MOT" here in NZ - we are JUST having emmisions added to NZ law at the moment however it will only be in relation to new imports so no issue for my exisiting ride. We do however have a limit on the db's it can put out but I'll make sure it's not crazy loud...it's my daily driver so I'd prefer it to be at a resonable level.

Actual exhaust kit's for injected mini's a either not available or damn expensive here in NZ.....my mate works for Ford so he was going to fabricate something up. Take the cat off & punch it out, then from that sensor back he was going to do a straight pipe up the centre with a resonator & then a muffler at the back...maybe a BA Falcon muffler or something that they have kicking around at the workshop

Cheers
KiwiMR2

[the.stroker]

sounds good,keep us updated!

[Sprocket]

I have a reasonable idea what this sensor is, and its not the lambda sensor that controls the fueling. You will find that sensor on the manifold at the back of the engine.

Any sensor after the Cat is possibly one of two. An overheat sensor. Just a simple temperature sensor, or thermostat. Or. Its a second lambda sensor that monitors the efficiency of the cat.

I doubt its the latter, but if there is a remote chance it is, removing the core from the cat will throw up a fault in the system.

I do however think it is more likely to be the former, a temperature sensor and removing the core from the cat wont bother it.

I have no information on this as it was obviously only fitted to the export models.

While on the subject of cats, the cat fitted to the SPi/MPi mini is very efficient and unlikely to restrict the power levels by any decernable amount. I ran the standard cat last year and achieved 100bhp and 87lbft torque. There is no real need to remove it other than to make the exhaust sound real nice, and annoy the neighbours

If you can tell me how many wires go to this device, we may be able to decide which it is

[KiwiMR2]

I have a reasonable idea what this sensor is, and its not the lambda sensor that controls the fueling. You will find that sensor on the manifold at the back of the engine.

Any sensor after the Cat is possibly one of two. An overheat sensor. Just a simple temperature sensor, or thermostat. Or. Its a second lambda sensor that monitors the efficiency of the cat.

I doubt its the latter, but if there is a remote chance it is, removing the core from the cat will throw up a fault in the system.

I do however think it is more likely to be the former, a temperature sensor and removing the core from the cat wont bother it.

I have no information on this as it was obviously only fitted to the export models.

While on the subject of cats, the cat fitted to the SPi/MPi mini is very efficient and unlikely to restrict the power levels by any decernable amount. I ran the standard cat last year and achieved 100bhp and 87lbft torque. There is no real need to remove it other than to make the exhaust sound real nice, and annoy the neighbours

If you can tell me how many wires go to this device, we may be able to decide which it is

Cool, cheers for the info. I'll try get underneth & snap a few pics to show you

Cheers
KiwiMR2

[KiwiMR2]

Cheers
KiwiMR2

[BoyracerAU]

Credit where credit's due. I rang the bloke in Adelaide, South Australia (www.brickworx.com.au). He's our local Rover Mini specialist.

He tells me this sensor is (or should be) connected to a light on the dash which tells you if your Catalytic Converter is stuffed.

It's not referenced in the Haynes manuals.

[KiwiMR2]

Sweet...so it won't matter if I get rid of it then

Cheers
for your help guys

KiwiMR2

[Aria Aradhea]

Japanese Specs 998cc carb cars have them too, as they're fitted with the cat. As Boyracer said, it tells you when the cat is stuffed and it should be connected to a light either in the dash, or in the lower right of the dashrail (where the fog light switch sits). In Japanese specs cars, this marked with red light that said "EXH" (short for Exhaust?) and will light up for 2-3 seconds when the ignition switched on. The control box is beneath the driver's seat.

This happened to me once, while under heavy acceleration at 90mph, the light goes and easing up on the throttle makes everything normal again. I don't know whether the cat is dead after that though...