Will this reduce value?

[ladams]

I am a new owner of an '81 and have already gotten some help from this forum. Thanks. I have a new question.
It appears as though my car has had basically all of the emission equipment unhooked and/or not working anymore. I was wondering if I should go ahead and remove the components or leave them on? My biggest question is if it will significantly affect the value of the car or not. I realize it will never be a "show car", but I want to be smart about what I do to it also.

 

[Vette79]

Depends on what your goal is with the Vette. Are you looking to restore your Vette back to original? Show car? A dailey driver? For some, originality is hard to come by and may demand a more significant price tag. For me, I was lucky to have a lot of documentation and my Vette is very original. After some deep consideration and thought, I decided to remove my emissions equipment as it is in the way and is no longer needed due to the Vette's age. I plan to remove the original cam and intake manifold this winter. I have already removed the original exhaust manifold and several other pieces and parts under the hood. Of course, I am saving everything I remove in case it needs to go back to original. I just want and need a little more pep in her step...

 

[LVMYVT76]

Keep the parts that you remove and offer them with the car when or if you sell it. Probably the new owner won't want them on either. I don't see it reducing the value of the car.

 

[melsy]

I owned an '81 new, back in the day. It was a kind of early/problem plagued computer control system. Basically the computer controlled the mixture through an overly complex carburetor, the timing, and the torque converter lockup. That's it. To really awaken the car and keep it very streetable after removing the computer stuff--1. Keep the original intake--it is basically a lowrise equivalent to the early Camaro hot rod manifold (Z28 I think) and one of the very best manifolds you can use on a Vette.(Believe it or not)!! 2. I would switch to the equivalent of the blue printed L-82 cam from someone like Crane. 3. Aftermarket transmission companies make a vacuum actuauted converter clutch lockup conversion--inexpensive and easy to install. Then, IMHO you will have a really great "81 streetcar. Contact me backchannel if you'd like to discuss. Melsy@bellsouth.net Hope this helps. I really liked my '81 when I had it.

 

[pbcanney]

I agree with everyone else. Anything you remove, keep, just in case 81's become overnight sensations.

I love my 81 (except that front bumper) . Its a great cruiser and very comfortable. It's also the most plentiful C3 (80 and 81) ie: affordable.

The computer was long gone in mine when I got it, and the carb I had on mine had obviously been campfired a few times, so it went away in favor of an Edelbrock replacemement.

If yours has upwards of 80k miles, I seriously recommend a timing chain swap before its too late....

like what happend with mine

but, in all fairness, the previous owners of mine were using the parking brake AS the brakes. It was a sorry sad sack when I bought it, but I didn't care... It had been neglected service wise, but it wasn't a rusted frame victim

The only thing I was never happy about with mine was that it was an automatic, and I just love manuals. (my 2006 Mustang GT is a 5 speed manual). So when the automatic started showing signs of age, I used that excuse to swap in a 4 speed from a 79.

Now... I would never consider doing that to a 73 or earlier.

Enjoy your 81 as I enjoy mine.

 

[ladams]

thanks alot for the advice. I got my answer and by the way, pbcanney, that is a great website you have.
ladams

 

[pbcanney]

Thanks.

If anyone else has a website, send me a link and I'll add the link to mine

thanks alot for the advice. I got my answer and by the way, pbcanney, that is a great website you have.
ladams

 

[GerryLP]

Ditto on saving whatever you remove...these parts are becoming hard to come-by, and if you find them, they're a pretty penny (i.e. expect to pay between $50 and $60 for the pump bracket).

The best decision I ever made concerning my L81 was to save all of the parts. :cool

 

[Mr. Chuck]

Emission Exemption due to age is still an issue

Depends on what your goal is with the Vette. Are you looking to restore your Vette back to original? Show car? A dailey driver? For some, originality is hard to come by and may demand a more significant price tag. For me, I was lucky to have a lot of documentation and my Vette is very original. After some deep consideration and thought, I decided to remove my emissions equipment as it is in the way and is no longer needed due to the Vette's age. I plan to remove the original cam and intake manifold this winter. I have already removed the original exhaust manifold and several other pieces and parts under the hood. Of course, I am saving everything I remove in case it needs to go back to original. I just want and need a little more pep in her step...

If you ever want to register your Vette in California you will still need to meet SMOG requirements since the 25 yrs old / exemption was deleted. You now must pass SMOG test every two years, unless your Vette had already been exemp before the law was changed. My 81 was one year short of the 25 yr when the law changed; I now need to pass SMOG every two years as long as it is registered in California. ps: Saving all the parts and info on what goes where would be a good idea.

 

[bmotojoe]

The only way it may reduce the value of the car is if the car cannot be licensed because of todays Emission laws. Personally, I would repair what doesn’t work purchase what is missing and get the car to pass today’s Emissions test. Then once you go through all that trouble you may just want to leave it alone.
I heard a couple years ago that California was to delete that 25+ year exempt law and it looks like they have. At least on the West Coast, California has set the guidelines on Emissions Standards and the other West Coast states soon follow there guidelines. I believe in the not too distant future ALL cars in ALL States are going to be subjected to even stricter Emission Standards then we currently have.
Brian

 

[Vette79]

If you ever want to register your Vette in California you will still need to meet SMOG requirements since the 25 yrs old / exemption was deleted. You now must pass SMOG test every two years, unless your Vette had already been exemp before the law was changed. My 81 was one year short of the 25 yr when the law changed; I now need to pass SMOG every two years as long as it is registered in California. ps: Saving all the parts and info on what goes where would be a good idea.

Forgot all about the smog laws on the West Coast...