since i no longer need to smog the car EVER, is it possible to cut the airtubes from my nice edelbrock ceramic headers? how would it be done, and maybe would a shop in california be up to the task?

 

the only real important thing is that you remove the air pump from the serpentine belt path. Beyond that, people tend to just cut off the air tubes and weld the holes left shut. Lots of people can do this on their own and it looks seamless almost. For some reason i want to say 25thrss did a very nice job but my memory is bad and i could easially be wrong. Run a search and you should come up with all kinds of info on dumping the air tubes.

-chillen

 

I'd just get new headers w/o air tubes and then delete the pump and hoses. Then sell off the headers w air and be done with it.
My .02
Laters,
Conrad

 

There's a sticky about the ill-advisedness of running TPI w/o A.I.R.

 

i have edelbrock TES headers that originally had the air tubes, and i just cut them off with a cutting wheel, crimped them with vise-grips and welded a small bead to close it off air-tight. have had no problems with it yet.

 

but hows it look? i want a nice looking engine bay.
i have taken into account about the bad idea of removing the air tubes cuz of the o2 variable.. but i can live with that for the time being till i get a chip burned.

 

a buddy of mine gave me the manifolds from his car when he got headers.. my carbed 305 doesnt need smog, so what i did was i took the pipes off the top and used pipe plugs in the holes. I could have cut some threads off so they fit flush, but i dont mind the "frankenstein" look. i also plugged the O2 sensor i could take a pic if you wanna see what stock ones look like with plugs.

 

pic of my hookers cut and welded.

 

It's not real hard, just time consuming. First, cut off the air tubes close to the headers, then grind down the remaining bit of air tube to ensure the weld will fill the hole completely. Next weld it or take it somewhere to have the holes welded shut. If they ask why, tell them it's for a "race car." After the holes have been welded shut take a die grinder and smooth the inside and outside of the weld down until you are happy with the results. It should turn out similar to the pic above. Good luck.

 

I have done it. but mine is a carbed 84. i broke them off as said and unscrewed the fittings. The went to the local parts store and spent 6 bux on closed fittings and 'tape' and screwed them back in worked like a charm!!

 

I did it to my SLP's last week. Just chopped them off with a dremel and a cut off wheel. I bought some cold weld (JB Stik). Kneaded some in my hand and shove it into the air tubes holes. I'll let you know if they hold up to the heat, if not im just gonna weld some metal.

 

Get ready for some melted goo. JB weld won't stand up to header temps. You may want to weld them before you run the car. It may save you a mess to clean up from.

 

once it starts melting its gonna smell like ***

 

is it ok to weld them even though they are ceramic coated?

 

Yes it is right next to the sticky for the ill-advised removal/blocking of the egr. Just kidding BTW.

Trash the junk, too many run without any smog without any problems whatsoever on a stock chip.

 

Why take it off just because you dont have to pass emitions? Its not hurting anything by being there, and removing it just might cause problems with TPI.

 

My car came with it already removed. The previous owner cut the hoses and squeezed them shut with pliers/vice grips. I haven't had a problem so far.

 

simple, ever change plugs with and without?