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Smog Legal Headers?

  • Thread starter Thread starter BigBrakeFuelie
  • Start date Start date
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BigBrakeFuelie

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Are they worth the $$ and effort? What is the difference? Just the the hook up to the AIR System?Here in Cali its very scrict on Emmisions.I want some more HP but don`t want to fail the Smog Nazis.Does the smog hook up decrease HP too much?A guy recommended Headman Smog legal headers for my 80.Any insights?
 
If they don't have a C.A.R.B. E.O. number on them, they won't pass the inspection; the A.I.R. pump only pulls 1-2hp at most. The carb jetting and the timing and advance calibration is where the power is lost.
:beer
 
Does anyone know where I can get the emissions crap for my car? I have nothing. Does anyone know where there is a complete kit available? My inspection sticker is from January 2001. Its a little over due.
 
mmvette80,

I had to start nearly from scratch on my '75 in order to replace the original smog equipment. Most of the pieces I was able to locate on Ebay a part at a time until I had a complete system. A number of the parts are available at your local auto parts store. Pieces such as thermal vacuum switches, etc.. There are some Corvette salvage yards around that are helpful also.

Hope some of this helps . . .

Ron
 
JohnZ said:
If they don't have a C.A.R.B. E.O. number on them, they won't pass the inspection; the A.I.R. pump only pulls 1-2hp at most. The carb jetting and the timing and advance calibration is where the power is lost.
:beer
It sounds like it would be worth it then.How much HP would some headers add to the car?Ballpark?Smog legal?
 
mmvette80,

It's hard to tell exactly, simply because some of the components that I purchased came to me in lots with items that I did not need. So, I ended up paying for more than I needed and sold the rest to recoup some of the costs. However, I was patient in looking for the items that I required. I don't think I spent more than a couple hundred dollars, not counting the exhaust system, probably less.

When I bought the car, the smog pump was there, however that was about all there was. There was no belt on the pump and no control vacuum hooked to it. The exhaust had been changed over to true duals, no cat. The heat riser had the butterfly removed, so it was junk. The down tube for the A.I.R. injection was missing. The EFE was missing as was the mount and spacers. The thermostat housing had been changed to one that did not have provision for the thermal vacuum switch. The TVS that goes into the intake manifold had been removed and replaced with a pipe plug. More than likely this was all done in an attempt to add power. As JohnZ mentioned, these items really are not the reason for the lack of power in these years of cars. Blame it on the lack of compression, lousy heads, carb calibration and timing, 'smog' cam, etc.

Mine has all of the smog equipment in place and operating correctly now and the car still builds appreciable power. Most importantly, it builds that power and still is able to pass the very tough California visual and sniffer inspections. If you'd like, I can give you a bit of a run down on what I am currently running - although that may change at any time the whim hits me :D
 

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