Anyone know if i can still pass emissions if i were to remove the a.i.r. system and got some headers without the air fittings and keep the cat. What are the chances id be able to pass?

 

It depends alot on how strict the emission laws are in your county/state, as well as how well your vechicle runs. If it is tuned well, runs a little on the lean side at idle, and you have looser emissions laws, you will pass just fine. On the other hand, if you live in CA, or a state with similar emmissions laws, and/or your car is not running well or rich at idle, you will not pass easilly. Its a gamble, so what I would do (if they give you two runs for one fee) is run it first with a little tinkering, then if you fail, tune the mixture at idle towards the lean side and run again. However, if you fail a second time, you are looking at some serious time trying to figure out a way to pass. (You might just have to slap the AIR on just for the test). If you have a friend who is a certified mechanic/technition, he may be able to write you a waver. Check it out.

 

yea im not real sure how stiff they are here in Colorado, they just do the ol tail pipe test. Where they hookup a tube to the exhaust pipes and then they test the gas cap. The car runs good i keep it tuned, but its got 97,000 miles on it n smokes a little on startup.

 

I just passed my emission test without any smog crap besides a cat, however, I did have prom tuning on my side. On the other hand, my motor is no longer stock. As long as they don't have a underhood visual, you should do fine.

 

Sounds like you have the same test as we do in Ohio. As in they don't check under the hood. All they look for here is the converter, and they do that with a mirror.

A fresh air filter and an oil change will help. Also, be sure your choke is operating properly...you will test badly if it is sticking closed even a little. Raise your idle speed about 100 RPM and set your carb a bit leaner than normal. Above all make sure you drive the car for at least 1/2 hour before getting it tested to be sure it is nicely warmed up. Your smoking at startup won't hurt it a bit unless your spark plugs are fouled. A friend passed on the first try with a Caravan that had bad cylinders (smoked all the time.) Save everything you take off your engine just in case the laws do get worse, you might have to put that stuff back on. It's also a good selling point to be able to say, "I have all the parts to return the car to stock." , even if you don't think the car will ever be collectible. It just adds to the car to have all the original parts.

One more thing, use the lowest octane gas you can get...the lower the octane the easier it burns. The easier it burns the less pollutants it produces. So if you have a tank full of 93 empty it out and put 87 in it.

Let us know how your testing went.

 

You will not pass the visual inspection, and may not pass the sniffer.

I'm not sure where you got your information, but the first thing they do after entering the VIN into their machine is open the hood and start down a check list. A.I.R. is on that check list.

The dyno test is more than "hookup(ing) a tube to the exhaust pipes". The engine is run under varying loads, simulating typical driving conditions, and the A.I.R. system can be instrumental in helping the cat do its job. The factory A.I.R. system routes the flow to the manifolds/headers in open loop operation, and directly to the cat during closed loop - the dyno test is 100% closed loop. But, you'll still fail visual if you remove the system from the manifolds/headers, and like I said, may fail sniffer with the system removed completely.

 

When I had a 147,000 mile 305 in my t/a, it passed just fine with no AIR system. My mechanic said there was no reason to do it,m and my car came through very easily, with less emmisions than my 20,000 mile 2.8 in the camaro. I dont have AIR on my t/a now, and will not put it back on. It doesnt seem to need it. Besides, my headers dont have provisions for it now anyways.

 

Colorado is as strict as California for visual inspection/equipment requirements. The dyno test is comprehensive and actual emissions allowables are tight.

Without A.I.R. (if so equiped from the factory) in the Colorado front range metro area, you will fail emissions certification.