The person before me has removed the cats and I removed the smog pump, does anyone know how much weight this saves, and how much horse power it adds if any, along with any other advantages? I also plan to do remove the A/C completely, How much weight does this remove and again what are the advantages and gains? Are their any other mods of this caliber to add small advantages in weight and HP to my Formula? i heard adding an aluminum drive line helps along with more PSI to the injectors(rumor). I do like cheap and easy improvements I'm not made of money here but I do know my way around a car and can do my own work.( I have already done a full tune up; wires, plugs, cap, rotor, air filter, sensors, cleaned t.b.i, and some other small things I forget.)

I'm new to T.B.I and plan to redo the intake and exhaust soon and first. Later on I will be asking for help on cams and such to wake up my T.B.I. So thanks for the help now and in the future.

 

Removing the smog pump makes very little HP. The car may make a few horses. Nothing to write home about. The smog system removal maybe frees up 20 lbs. The a/c system about 50-80 lbs. A scale can show you for sure.

Change the air cleaner.

Upgrade teh exhaust, headers, pipes, muffler etc.

Advance the timing to 6* BTDC this is free and cheap

Those are good basics and will increase the HP of the car and are some of the most limiting parts to these cars.

 

Yeah im going to do timing in the morning, just going to get some fresh rubber first.
Can you recommend a good open air element?

And what about the cat removal?

 

dont recomend it. But it might free up a few horses and make your engine a little louder.

 

They were removed before I got it. Good thing Im in Alabama where we don't do emissions XD

Can timing fix running slightly rich?

 

umm; no

you are asking if ignition can fix a fuel delivery issue

O2 sensor and the computer. Try a new O2 and see if it runs better. Anyway, why do you think it's running rich? You might be smelling the result of no cat.

with respect to open air, just go get one at adv auto, offer $20-$25 for the dustiest one they have on the shelf. I got a 14 x 2 Mr Gasket chrome unit for $20.

 

Ok thanks, I thought it might be running rich, but your right im probably just smelling the no cats part.

 

i also hear that removing the cats kills mpg as well

 

I dont know about that

 

Yeah I have never heard that one. My mileage isn't that bad for what the car is and how I drive it.

 

As long as a Catalytic converter =/= Afterburner removing the cat does not decrease mileage.

All the cat does is burn excess fuel remains from the exhaust gas. All your AIR does for that matter is delivering air to burn that fuel.

As long as AIR is connected t the cat you can discard (and close off) the AIR tubes on your headers.

Headers is a good place to start anyways as the stock units are terrible. It's where you're going to find some of the potential GM robbed from the LO3. Some of the rest is in a part not mentioned before. The heads.

Anyways, back to topic, removing cat, AIR, smog pump and A/C gives you 10 HP if that much.

Does give weight savings as well.
Combine with alu heads, a set of Hedman shorties, lightweight valve covers, alu accessory belt setup and fiberglass hood you have lost almost 200 lbs. It's worth considering if you do not have smog tests in your area and some pocket money at your disposal.

Move battery to the trunk and use a mini starter for further gains.

 

cant get much lighter than the stock valve covers but i agree with everything you said

 

Appreciate the info Solitaire