Hi everyone,

I have an '82 Trans Am with a computer controlled quadrajet. The car is virtually factory everything except it is minus the AIR system since it's been right hand drive converted and also no longer has the cat installed. For a factory car, it doesn't do too badly down the track, my best time being 16.0s.

I am suspect that after 21 years, the emissions gear isn't working like it once did and for the sake of having my engine bay simple, I thought about removing things since I also don't have to worry about emissions tests. I also am not too keen on having to replace hosing that may be giving me vacuum leaks.

From searching through this board, I'll be keeping the EGR valve, but can I remove all other emissions equipment and not cause disruption to the computer or how the car operates as a whole? When I remove things, is it a simple case of bunging up holes?

Thanks in advance for your help

 

Although developed primarily to reduce emissions, the computer controls also help improve economy. Most of what people refer to as "smog equipment" is actually input the to computer, though, so you need to be a little careful. Exceptions are the A.I.R. system (which is already removed, it sounds like), catalytic converter, air cleaner (thermovac warm air system and charcoal pack), EGR valve (wise to keep, since ignition timing assumes it's there and working), and charcoal evaporation canister.

From the exhaust standpoint, the O2 sensor is vital to function of the computer control. Don't even think about eliminating it.

The evap canister provides the vent/breathing capability to the gas tank - not a good idea to remove that and cap off the vent line.

As for all the hoses running around, you might be able to clean them up a bit and route them more sensibly, but they really need to be there. There are sensors that provide input to the computer, and other functions (heater control, cruise control) that need the vacuum power. You can't simply remove the hoses and plug where they went. Sorry about that, but that's the way it is.

The two real performance improvements on that system are the exhaust and air cleaner - both are terribly restrictive. Headers with 3" exhaust all the way back will make a big improvement. Getting more air to the filter than that single snorkel thing can flow will let the exhaust do its thing. If you don't do anything else, do those two.

 

Originally posted by five7kid

From the exhaust standpoint, the O2 sensor is vital to function of the computer control. Don't even think about eliminating it.

Yeah I was aware about the O2 sensor, I was going to definitely leave that in place.

The evap canister provides the vent/breathing capability to the gas tank - not a good idea to remove that and cap off the vent line.

Can a small filter of some sort be placed over the end of this line instead, to stop stuff from entering the tank but still allowing it to breathe? Or, can a breathing point be set up somewhere else? Does the cannister need replacing at any stage of its life?

As for all the hoses running around, you might be able to clean them up a bit and route them more sensibly, but they really need to be there. There are sensors that provide input to the computer, and other functions (heater control, cruise control) that need the vacuum power. You can't simply remove the hoses and plug where they went. Sorry about that, but that's the way it is.

I was just interested in removing some emissions related things, I know the cruise control etc requires vacuum. What emissions components (apart from the O2 sensor which I know about), need to be replaced from time to time?

The two real performance improvements on that system are the exhaust and air cleaner - both are terribly restrictive. Headers with 3" exhaust all the way back will make a big improvement. Getting more air to the filter than that single snorkel thing can flow will let the exhaust do its thing. If you don't do anything else, do those two.

I ended up getting a 2.5" exhaust all the way to the back because of various holes in the factory one, and I had two high flow mufflers installed to keep the factory look. I wish I'd discovered this forum before I got that done, I now would've gone for a 3" system. I'll get headers one day, but for the moment I've got a 700-R4 out of an '89 Camaro that I'm getting prepared for installation. My 200C is a little tired.

In addition to wanting to clean up the engine bay, I'm wondering perhaps if I have a vacuum leak somewhere because my economy has all of a sudden got bad and I can't be bothered replacing hoses, I'd rather remove stuff and keep things simple.