How important are the A.I.R & EGR systems?

[87blackroxi]

Could anyone post any links of threads or give me some insight. searching didn't yield too much.
The reason I ask, I am putting headers on in a couple weeks. My mechanic posed me the question of my long term goals for the vehicle. I never really though of long term. I Want to keep the vehicle semi-legal only for the purpose if someday I move out of state (my current home state (florida) has no emmissions). Please, if anyone has input/info on what each do in a nutshell, how important they are, and the benefits are to keep or remove I would greatly appreciate it.
I need to figure it out before I order them.
Thanks,
Shane

 

[vader86]

AIR is meant to get the cats warmed up soon after engine start so startup emissions are low, once the engine is hot the AIR doesnt do anything. Basically a useless system with todays cat technology.

EGR is just recirculating gases back into the engine to lower NOx, whether or not to delete it is more of a preference. It helps emissions but it also introduces contaminants back into your intake air, lowering power a little. Its supposed to lower detonation when the engine is hot, but this can be corrected for in other ways. I would delete it as well and just install a new main cat with the headers, that'll lower resonance and it'll actually work better than the current cat and precats would.

 

[87blackroxi]

So both are not very important and somewhat hinder performance?
Also, I have no cats with true duals to magnaflows and resonance is not an issue. so not bad there.
So then, A.I.R is now useless since I have no cats. And the EGR pertains mostly to emmissions, which in Florida we don't have. And EGR takes a little away from performance. Is this about right?
shane

 

[Ken]

Probably just about everything you'll ever need to know about emissions control systems can be found here: Understanding Emissions Controls.

 

[AdvancedAutoCC]

Probably just about everything you'll ever need to know about emissions control systems can be found here: Understanding Emissions Controls.

Ken,

Good link! You spared me from a long post by sharing this . I think all of Shane's questions can be answered by it.

 

[87blackroxi]

Wow!

What a wealth of information! More than I ever needed to know about air and egr. Thanks much ken. great info. I think I am going to leave well enough alone and keep both systems functional.
shane

 

[WhalePirot]

Good link! You spared me from a long post by sharing this.

Ditto.

I am in a tiny minority here, and know it, but I have seen the minimal performance gains by going illlegal; removing the smog gear. I believe in having a fast car and being responsible to my fellow citizens, my own health and the earth's environment. I also believe in driving with an attitude of making a positive contribution to Corvette drivers' image in the eyes of other drivers. (Old Fart Alert)

Any clown can remove smog gear, relying on the lore of poorly performing, power robbing add-ons of the early years of such gear. The true challenge lies in greatly improving the performance of my favorite car AND complying with rules that allow my family and yours to have better health. My Corvette 'team' has done just that. My car passed the toughest emissions rules in the world.

I like it less than most of you, my Corvette being tested IAW to the most aggressive group (CARB) of SMOG-cutters on earth. Perhaps the reason lawmakers 'attack' our hobby cars is because so many irresponsible owners choose to ignore the common welfare of the rest of us.

Being older, I see the effect of early choices on the body. Because I have been fortunate to travel the world for decades, I have also have seen how hae and smog are choking our planet, oft from places far away. I am hardly an environmental wacko, as certain folks might think. I have simply learned that my car can kick your car's butt and not contribute to your families' empysema.

Also, laws change and can be retroactive. The nation has followed California's lead in emissions, so it would be logical to assume that will continue, meaning other sections of America will test more aggressively. Retrofitting a car for resale or compliance can be so costly as to be prohibitive. The federal EPA fine is a remote likelihood, but is steep.

Obviously, each of you makes your own choice, but your car too, can run fast and clean with surprisingly little more effort.

 

[Ken]

Any clown ...

Mike, you really should choose a nicer term; no one likes to be called a clown. Hey, you know me and my car -- I'm liable to be offended. :L

 

[AdvancedAutoCC]

Who you callin' a clown? (tapping large prybar in hand)