i just picked up an 87 T/A 305 TPI with a set of headers on it with out A.I.R and i failed the HC by about 53 points. I know some people passed NJ emission testing without the A.I.R. my exhaust does have a scent of un burned gas to it but shes running perfect with NO CEL so im thinking the previous owner may have gutted the cat but i was wondering what everyone else is doing to pass NJ emissions after removing the A.I.R., it also failed for a gas cap put that easy, but could that effect my HC counts. any help is appreciated, i'll post pics of the car soon

Funny part is....Regardless of your #s, they shoulda failed you, just based on no A.I.R. tubes, so consider yourself lucky there.

I think it is all the newer cars not having the tubes, is what is keeping the inspectors from thinking twice, when the tubes aren't there.

well i lied, i do have AIR tubes at a more in depth glance, i must have looked real quick the first time and didn't see them, on the headers i have they arent as visible as with the stock manifolds, and the air pump is working. so all of my emissions equipment is working properly.


ohh on a side note the previous owner said he retarded the timing a little for improved fuel economy, i would think that maybe this could be a major factor, but since the car is running so smooth i disregarded it.

i just don't want to start throwing things at it, it also just had a tune up so plugs wires cap rotor is ruled out

in case this helps anyone here are the results from my emission test:

GAS STANDARD READING RESULT

HC 220 273 FAIL

CO% 1.20 .82 PASS

CO2% N/A 11.1

RPM: 2572

GAS CAP: FAIL
TAMPERING: PASS
VISIBLE SMOKE: PASS

You need to reset the timing to the factory spec. Having the timing too low can result in incomplete combustion, leading to excessive hydrocarbon emissions.

NJ does not go looking for missing equipment under the hood. I passed in NJ last year with no AIR system and had really good numbers.

i was kind of leaning towards a timing issue...i seem to have a little trouble finding the timing tab....is it visible from the top or do i have to crawl underneath, i never had to mess with timing before on my firebirds and though i am familiar with the procedure i can't find the tab from the top

you should see it looking behind the water pump.

thanks for the help, now i just gotta figure out how to see it with the ram air box and the MAF in the way haha

You'll be very happy when the timing is advanced back to specification, should notice a much more responsive gas pedal.

just an update, passed emissions yesterday with flying colors, set timing back to 6 BTDC and my new HC count is 82!! YAY

to all who helped

I would check the timing and get it back to factory base setting (6^BTDC). The timing has a lot to do with how the car runs as well has how well it burns the fuel. I would start there and see what happens. What is the timing set at now?