A.I.R. System Removal

[skeetimer]

How much would removing the Smog system affect emissions? Is there a way to disable it until it is time to get it inspected again? I drive and 82 vette in Texas.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

From the little I know...

...I supose you could remove the smog pump belt and then re-install it just before smog-test time. The major problem I see with this, is that these systems were designed to run with all of this equipment, and if you remove one you affect another area. I would also be concerned about the smog pump 'freezing up' while the belt is off of it, perhaps requiring the purchase of a new pump.

I think that with the emissions system removed, it would not pass smog. Would certainly fail the visual test.
Heidi

Since we live in a no-smog testing county...it's all gone!
h

 

[JohnZ]

The A.I.R. system isn't costing you any performance to speak of - it's the companion carb calibration, distributor advance curve, retarded timing, and ported spark that's sapping the motor. All of these can be changed with little effort, and changed back again when it's smog test time.

 

[LEEJANDZ]

How much would removing the Smog system affect emissions? Is there a way to disable it until it is time to get it inspected again?

By having the A.I.R. system in place, it effictively doubles the amount of air through the exhaust. So if you had a hypothetical rating of 50 parts per million (ppm) with the A.I.R. system functional, if you took it off you would have 100 ppm through the same exhaust.

If you want to, just get the car smogged then pull the smog equipment and keep it in your garage. Replace with a good set of headers and true dual pipes... and bring some life back into your car.

Just my little suggestion. Which ironically enough, is what I am planning right now.

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JASON

In my home state of CA 3/4 of the air pollution is caused by factories... with little regulation - whereas cars here have to be tested every other year. It makes no sense to me.

 

[mmvette80]

The previous owner is using the emissions from my car for something else. I really, really need it back. Where can I get the emissions parts. Is there a place that sells a complete kit?

 

[silver 80]

corvette central sells a "complete smog kit" for 68-76 might fit an 80 you'll have to look at the pic. my 80 came without smog. the price is $490.00 page 59
part # 303562
good luck.

 

[page62]

Your '82 has cross-fire injection, which is computer controlled. Unlike earlier Vettes, this is not as easy to desmog. Removing emissions equipment messes up the control system.

If it's running good, don't mess with it until 2007!

 

[skeetimer]

What if I was to remove the Cat. Covnverter (until time for inspection) and place a bolt up piece of pipe inplace and had a fitting for the AIR pipe to bolt onto. How would that affect the sytem?

 

[page62]

Better than that: replace the original cat with a modern high-flow cat. Summit Racing (and others) have 'em. Street legal.

You'll also have a hard time finding a shop in your area willing to replace the cat with just a pipe. Illegal.

The originals were very restrictive. The new ones have only a negligible effect on horsepower.

 

[skeetimer]

Well money is the issue...I want just a pipe for now. I can make one. But how would that affect the AIR system? I will have the AIR pipe attached to the new pipe...but will the AIR system know that there is something different?

 

[page62]

I doubt it will know the difference! I don't think the computer measures anything downstream of the O2 sensor.

BTW: High-flow cats are cheap, somewhere between $60-100.

 

[Larry82]

I have been playing with this stuff for years.

Smog pump belt on - off

EGR plugged - unplugged.

I can tell you the performance "gains" are minimal or subjective.

Your car will run "rougher" without the smog stuff, which you will mistakenly think is a performance gain - slightly rougher idle, etc. But, if you hook everything back up, you will notice a smoother performance with no loss in effective acceleration, just how it feels.

Hope that makes sense. But after 100,000 miles of playing around, I am leaving all the original stuff in place.

Just get a replacement cat. All new ones flow better.

 

[skeetimer]

Any suggestions on a Cat to go with? Where to get it? Cost? Won't a new Cat get me a little bit better gas mileage as well?

 

[LEEJANDZ]

mmvette80 --- The previous owner is using the emissions from my car for something else. I really, really need it back. Where can I get the emissions parts. Is there a place that sells a complete kit?

I will be removing the emissions parts off of my 79 L-82 soon. If you are interested maybe we can work something out. I really wont need them. What parts in particular are you missing, it seems kind of strange to keep that stuff to put on another car.

How soon do you need the parts???

Let me know if Ican be of any help.

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JASON

79 L-82 getting smogged, then getting fun!!!

 

[skeetimer]

What is the size of the converter on an 82 vette with air tube? What size are the pipes and the length of the converter?

 

[LEEJANDZ]

skeetimer --- Any suggestions on a Cat to go with? Where to get it? Cost? Won't a new Cat get me a little bit better gas mileage as well?

Get yourself a RANDOM TECHNOLOGY SUPER HIGH FLOW cat. converter. PN 903.006. It fits the 82-85 VETTES.

http://www.randomtechnology.com/index.html

Check out this website, click on products, then click on CHEVROLET.

If they are CA legal they must be good cats. It will make your car and your environment happy!!!

-----------------------------------------------

JASON (No affiliation w/ RANDOM TECHNOLOGY)

 

[mmvette80]

Leejandz- I have nothing. Not a vac hose or anything. I dont know if just cats on the car will pass. It passes with no emissions now but it doesnt pass visual.

 

[page62]

Check this out:
http://store.summitracing.com/
Type the word CATCO in the keyword search box.
There are both universal and OEM converters available. The universals are in the $75 area. The OEMs are about $115. (I remember when these suckers were $800!)

You'll need to crawl under your car and do a little measuring and figuring.

 

[LEEJANDZ]

mmvette80 --- I have nothing. Not a vac hose or anything. I dont know if just cats on the car will pass. It passes with no emissions now but it doesnt pass visual

How soon do you need the parts??? Do you have a L-48 or L-82??? I am not sure if they are the same system. But I have the complete set, so anything you need... just let me know.

My car is actually at the shop for the smog check then I planned on getting a new exhaust from the manifolds back.

Do you have a stock 350, If you do, and have a digital camera, take a picture of what your engine looks like to give me a better idea. When I get a chance Ill take a picture of mine to show you the difference.

Do you need the smog equip. to pass the visual inspection??? Or do you plan on taking it back to "stock"

Let me know

--------------------------------

JASON

(bye-bye A.I.R. system!!!)

 

[Larry82]

I had a muffler shop just put one of theirs on. Turns out it was a Car Sound, which is one of the best ones - As good or better than Random Tech.