Upgrades to my '81

[Yoda]

81@16,

I'm sitting here thinking about this... your car is almost 23 years old :eek and.....

• How many miles do you have on your 81?
• Have you changed any of the fluids, e.g. transmission, rear end, radiator flush, brake master cylinder and total brake fluid?
• How is the steering and front suspension?
• How are the shocks and front springs and rear cross spring (is the rear spring a mono spring or a steel spring)?
• How are the tires and tracking, also the wheel bearings and spindles?
• Have you driven it enough to KNOW how it handles?

I guess what I'm trying to say is, before you start spending $$$ to mod you car, make sure it is road sound and ready. Would you trust getting behind the wheel this weekend and driving to Texas or cross country? Just a little advice from ole Yoda... Check a few of the things I've listed above before you start thinking about exhuast and sound systems

It's not only down right embarrassing to be sitting at the local hang out and your car won't start, not to mention how frustrating it is too

Bud

 

[Dave L.]

It sounds to me like you have at the least a visual inspection. So the answer is definitely no,unless you install a system like BobChad did on his 77.

 

[cmegga]

Im kinda surprised at all the emissions concerns. I have had my 81 running straigh header and pipes with no emissions for 3 yrs now with no issues. And I live in NY. I think you tend to get a little more leniency with older cars like this. Eigher they are sure what years had emissions or not or they just understand its the way a mussle car should be. The only concern I would worry about is having a friend or good shop to get you that inspection sticker. Not to hard to come by if your really looking.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

It sounds to me like you have at the least a visual inspection. So the answer is definitely no,unless you install a system like BobChad did on his 77.

I put on true duals with dual cats, headers, x-pipe and Flowmaster Delta 50's. Would I pass a visual inspection? Maybe. The law says original equipment, which this is definitely not. However, the car is old enough that I would guess that almost all of the inspectors would not know what is supposed to be under there and would pass it.

This was my 5th or 6th project. I agree with Bud. Fix up the brakes, suspension, etc., related to safety and reliability before going on and fixing things that aren't broke.

 

[AUSSIEVETTEMAN]

Dual exhausts

Some good responses to your question, I seem to think you couldn't go wrong listening to Bud & Bob.
It is a shame you couldn't get around the Cat thing (maybe Bob's suggestion), I had an exhaust shop here on the Gold Coast (Australia) re-do the exhaust from the original header brackets to the rear mufflers. True twin system with no cat in the exhaust. What a difference it made in sound and HP increases. It is a little easier for us Aussies as the rules are if the car is an 85 model with a cat in the exhaust, then when the new exhaust goes in, so does the cat. Pre 85 vehicles are ok to do the mods.

Bobchad, I like your headers! I am thinking of doing the same, but I now have a steering box on that side as she is now right hand drive. There isn't much room to be doing stuff with the exhaust, but I may have to 'bite the bullet' and spend the time and money (about $1000 Oz Dollars).
Bud is right, do all the checks first, cause once you start on the mods, the wallet gets empty real quick.

Cheers

Tony

 

[76L82]

"The catalytic converter, being one of the most important emission devices, needs to remain on the vehicle and in it's designed location."

I would guess with this statement, an easy glance under your car with the new dual exhaust system that you're talking about here and you're busted...that would be an expensive way to learn that you have to have a system with a catalytic converter.

 

[dsagers]

Isn't that the reason hollowed out cats are used. But, with the high flowing aftermarket cats available there is no reason to go to all the work of modifying a cat.

 

[atmmac]

Thanks everyone, its great driving it into a High School parking lot. Everyone looks and asks questions. I was voted best car in the yearbook!! All thanks to the powers a corvette.

im 17 and i think im gonna win best car too. Dont you just love the looks on their faces pulling in!

-Andy

 

[GotMy81@16]

I have had the car fully inspected and all the minor problems have been taken care of, its a very solid '81. Thats why I decided to try performance increase now, so yea I do think its time for something similar to a true dual kit something with instant horsepower increase. I keep trying to call the number given to me by that website I checked out and the people in the office have no idea what im talking about, so I think im gonna swing by Mark Chase Automotive (they did the minor work on my car) and see if they know what to do about the emissions problem.
Andy, yea the looks pullin' in is great and then all the kids with the imports challenging me to a race and I either laugh or make them wish they hadnt challenged me.
Thanks Everyone for the replies!!

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Christian,

Don't be surprised if they won't give you an answer. If the EPA finds a car without smog equipment in their shop it can cost them 10 big ones.

Bobchad, I like your headers! I am thinking of doing the same, but I now have a steering box on that side as she is now right hand drive. There isn't much room to be doing stuff with the exhaust, but I may have to 'bite the bullet' and spend the time and money (about $1000 Oz Dollars).

Tony,

Does it make that big of a difference? I have one on the other side and it fit fine.

Bob

 

[atmmac]

From this statement, esp the part that says "needs to remain on the vehicle and in it's designed location." It would be impossible to put true dual exhausts on your car.

I really wouldnt worry about not having cats. They really dont care and if they give you a hard time just slip him a 20. A guy in my town with a 77 runs no cats even thought hes supposed to have the cat there. The guy was just like i dont really care but if you get caight you had it on there whn it was inspected. Simplae as that. Its a vette you should have no problem.

Best Of Luck,
-Andy

 

[Yoda]

I really wouldnt worry about not having cats. They really dont care and if they give you a hard time just slip him a 20. A guy in my town with a 77 runs no cats even thought hes supposed to have the cat there. The guy was just like i dont really care but if you get caight you had it on there whn it was inspected. Simplae as that. Its a vette you should have no problem.

Best Of Luck,
-Andy

While this may work in Mass. I think it would be a hard sale out here. I've had my 81 for almost 8 years now and once in those 8 years have I been able to go to a mech for a smog check. All the others have been to a "Smog Only Shop" and they check for single cat, and everything under the hood :eek I asked about using 2 cats to effect true dual exhaust and the answer I received.. If that's what came on it, if not sorry, but it wouldn't pass the visual inspection. I guess I could change exhaust systems every 2 years... I doubt many smog shops would jepordize their lucrative easy little money making for $20

Bud

 

[GerryLP]

It is risky business...

Bud et al,

That reminds me about last summer. I live in Sandoval County, and we have no smog check requirements, so I thought that I would ask a muffler shop about making a slip-pipe with the dimensions of the cat and pipe diameter, so that I could go to the track; drop the cat; install the slip-pipe, and race the car; however, the owner told me that even making the slip-pipe he would chance a fine (he really had just met me, and didn't know who the h#@% I was), and forget about him installing it -no way!, he said. He said the feds could also bust him.

So the rules are even more strict when it comes to muffler shop owners...:nono

 

[GotMy81@16]

Thanks for the help everyone, im still considering the true dual, but does anyone have any other options before I make the choice final on the true duals???
Thanks

 

[Yoda]

81@16,

If your car still has the stock cat on it, my suggestion would be to get a "Test Tube" replacement for it. They bolt up in place of the cat, they are not legal most places because they eliminate the cat, but are sold as "Test Tubes or Off Road Use ONLY"

This will give you more unrestricted flow of your exhuast system

 

[GotMy81@16]

This is my daily driver, so it would need to be street legal, thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[Copdogcorvettes]

Well I guess you must be in the big city. I thought that only the Sea/Tac area had to have the inspections. I live in Ocean Shores Wa. My 80 had the cat removed, my other 78 had the duels w/o cats and my Daytona has Hooker Side Pipes. I have never had to have an inspection on any of my car here in Washington. I know the Sea/Tac people have to have them, but I'm surprised to hear you need them down there. I guess it must have something to do with being next to Portland. It's a shame becuase the cheapest and best thing to start with is a good free flow exhuast system. It is still the best thing you can do, so find a way the free up the exhuast as best you can.


Gary

 

[GotMy81@16]

I want to do something like JHL did to his C3, get an eldebrock intake and carb., does this help significantly, cause it looks pretty nice!