RX8 / Rotary Mechanic in Dublin?

BBMcQ · 09-12-2014 11:27am #1

Hi all,

My lovely RX8 failed the NCT last Saturday (after driving half way across the country to get a test before the new laws came in yesterday).

Failed on:
1. Automatic Xenon Headlight Washers - Fuse blown, replaced
2. Front suspension Bushels/Linkages - Fast fit order the parts, no worries. This is most common fail!
3. Emissions - Rotary engine can't fail on emissions but they said my RX8 was high even for the type of car.

So... my usual engine/exhaust mechanic has been uncontactable recently. Does anyknow know of any other emissions specialist mechanics in the Dublin area? The RX8 engine is obviously different to other cars but I am thinking the exhaust, CAT etc would be a common set up?

Thanks in advance!

pippip · 09-12-2014 11:40am

Theres a guy called James in Shadow Rotary*, Palmerstown whos the Dublin expect according to rotary Ireland. My mate got an engine rebuild with him and said he was brilliant.

If you feel like a drive there's also Eddie Doyle in Gorey, Wexford, who's a legend in his own right.

PM'd a number to you op.

*Credit to Dartz below for company name.

Dartz · 09-12-2014 12:01pm

Emissions test always fails. They still perform it anyway, mark it as failed, then post the NCT cert out to you. They pass MOT in the UK regularly enough, but a lot of cars in Ireland tend to be decatted. (Do it. Your car will thank you for it.) There're rumours of emmissions testing coming back in, but the RX8 ECU AFAIK doesn't let it perform the test - it doesn't like being held at an rpm with no load on it.

The other two, unfortunately, are a pain, but happen.

Anyway, another recommendation for the lads of Shadow Rotary in Palmerstown. They really know their stuff, even if finding them can be a little tricky.

BBMcQ · 09-12-2014 4:13pm

Cheers lads,

Yeah I had work done by James and Eoin in the past. I think James is out of the game for the best part of the year, and I can't get onto Eoin through his mobile. Could be on hols or switched number etc.

What's involved in decatting? Eoin gutted the cat at the beginning of the year, is this the same thing?

ION08 · 09-12-2014 5:07pm

Dartz wrote: »

Emissions test always fails. They still perform it anyway, mark it as failed, then post the NCT cert out to you.

When I NCT'd my RX-8 the emissions test was N/A not fail and got my NCT cert there and then. - and that was with a decat!

Dartz · 09-12-2014 5:35pm

Gutting the cat is the same sort of thing. They just smash out the core of the converter then shake the remains out the bottom of the pipe.

Technically, a de-cat is replacing the cat with a mid-pipe. Mid-pipe is generally a better option in the long run, but since the engine's probably getting rebuilt next year, I decided to wait.

Running catless makes it backfire on the overrun and smell like a speeding oil-refinery fire, but otherwise does no harm to the engine. (If anything, the tendancy to spit flame and pop and bang probably explains why the catalysts tend to go chernobyl on them) Tbh, it brings some prope reliability benefits.

ION08 · 09-12-2014 5:42pm

Dartz wrote: »

Gutting the cat is the same sort of thing. They just smash out the core of the converter then shake the remains out the bottom of the pipe.

Technically, a de-cat is replacing the cat with a mid-pipe. Mid-pipe is generally a better option in the long run, but since the engine's probably getting rebuilt next year, I decided to wait.

Running catless makes it backfire on the overrun and smell like a speeding oil-refinery fire, but otherwise does no harm to the engine. (If anything, the tendancy to spit flame and pop and bang probably explains why the catalysts tend to go chernobyl on them) Tbh, it brings some prope reliability benefits.

I think the midpipe also contains a silencer. The 'Racing Beat' decat one mine coupled with a Toyosports Cat back nearly left me deaf after 6 months of driving! ... nice flames though

Ferris · 09-12-2014 8:19pm

Mine backfired in the nct centre, it was gas, I was the only one that didn't jump.

Still passed.

BBMcQ · 16-12-2014 7:26pm

Ferris wrote: »

Mine backfired in the nct centre, it was gas, I was the only one that didn't jump.

Still passed.

How do you get insurance if you have "modified" your rx8 taking out the cat etc?

ION08 · 16-12-2014 7:32pm

stuartmchugh wrote: »

How do you get insurance if you have "modified" your rx8 taking out the cat etc?

Same way you get insurance if the cat is still there. This isnt the UK.

Ferris · 16-12-2014 7:38pm

stuartmchugh wrote: »

How do you get insurance if you have "modified" your rx8 taking out the cat etc?

I told my insurance, there was no additional charge. I used a decat pipe so it was visually different.

Dartz · 16-12-2014 7:40pm

stuartmchugh wrote: »

How do you get insurance if you have "modified" your rx8 taking out the cat etc?

That's not a modification. It's a non-safety critical defective part.

coolisin · 16-12-2014 7:48pm

Strange I didn't think they tested the emissions on an rotary engine they just skipped it!

BBMcQ · 17-12-2014 9:27am

ION08 wrote: »

Same way you get insurance if the cat is still there. This isnt the UK.

Cheers for the heads up folks. I don't know the car laws in the UK, just trying to avoid doing necessary work on my RX8 then getting suckered come insurance time.

Viper_JB · 17-12-2014 10:53am

coolisin wrote: »

Strange I didn't think they tested the emissions on an rotary engine they just skipped it!

It's only tested if they guy testing it doesn't know what he's doing, when I had the RX8 after NCTing the first time and having to ring their head office and explain so they could send me out a cert :rolleyes: I made sure to inform them that it was not eligible for the emissions test when bringing the car in for the next NCT, wasn't tested that time and I got my cert at the NCT center.

ARGINITE · 17-12-2014 12:03pm

You can't pass an MOT in the UK without a cat but you can still get insured as long as you declare it to the insurance company.

MetzgerMeister · 17-12-2014 2:42pm

Every 231 bhp model puts out different emissions as does every 192 model. You might have some of them being around the same but it's just not cut and dry with them so that's why they're exempt.

coolisin · 17-12-2014 3:30pm

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Every 231 bhp model puts out different emissions as does every 192 model. You might have some of them being around the same but it's just not cut and dry with them so that's why they're exempt.

I was going to say this ^^^ but wasnt sure where I had heard it, if it was from yourself, there must be some truth in it!

ARGINITE · 17-12-2014 3:40pm

So why aren't they exempt in the UK?

MetzgerMeister · 17-12-2014 3:42pm

Don't know. That's what I know about them being exempt here anyway.

BarLennon · 03-06-2015 12:31pm

pippip wrote: »

Theres a guy called James in Shadow Rotary*, Palmerstown whos the Dublin expect according to rotary Ireland. My mate got an engine rebuild with him and said he was brilliant.

If you feel like a drive there's also Eddie Doyle in Gorey, Wexford, who's a legend in his own right.

PM'd a number to you op.

*Credit to Dartz below for company name.

I've been looking for a number for Shadow Rotary myself, but can't find it anywhere online. Any chance anybody has it? My RX8 needs an engine rebuild so I'm looking up my options. I've heard Shadow Rotary are good

RootX · 03-06-2015 1:22pm

Sent you a pm there.

RangeR · 08-06-2015 3:45pm

Hi, My 04 RX8 has taken a turn for the worst. Are the guys above still fixing doing Rotary engines? My mechanic has been "looking for 6 weeks" for a suitable expert, with no luck.

Until I found this thread, I was just about ready to send her to the scrap yard.

jamiereid · 08-07-2015 9:00am

The guys in shadow rotary are still in Dublin but you should also check out irishrotary.com that's the rx7 and rx8 club in Ireland and plenty of people more than willing to help who are very much in the know.

BBMcQ · 14-08-2015 4:22pm

If anyone needs the number for Eoin in Shadow Rotary let me know.

He's quite the busy man, especially recently, but 100% top lad who has saved me no doubt thousands over the years. Proudly, he says my RX8 is one of the best out there, but maybe he says that to everyone!

eniacon · 28-10-2015 4:35pm

Hi Stuart, can you send on Eoin's number to me please, a friend is looking for some help with his rotary rebuild. Thanks.

Chilli Con Kearney · 09-11-2015 11:49pm

Hi guys

Would anyone have a number for Eoin or the lads in Palmerstown? I was hoping to get in contact with them.

Thanks

BBMcQ · 10-11-2015 12:11am

Chilli Con Kearney wrote: »

Hi guys

Would anyone have a number for Eoin or the lads in Palmerstown? I was hoping to get in contact with them.

Thanks

Sent to you there

am i bovvered · 17-11-2015 2:07am

Hi Stuart,
Could you please send me the number for Shadow Rotary, 'James & Eoin'
Thank you

jenizzle · 17-11-2015 9:31am

Here's a list of rotary mechanics in Ireland, in case you're looking:

http://irishrotary.com/forum/index.php?/topic/2709-rotary-garages-mechanics-list/

RX8 / Rotary Mechanic in Dublin?

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