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smog pump purpose???

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Old May 30, 2002 | 09:57 AM
  #1  
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smog pump purpose???

Ok, yeah I know where it is and all, but what exactly does this thing do? And why does it have all of those metal bars going to me exhaust manifolds. I know it decreases horsepower, but dear ***.... WHAT DOES IT DO!
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Old May 30, 2002 | 10:14 AM
  #2  
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I've heard 2 things.....

I'm just as confused as you. These are some of the explanations I've heard.

1. The tube connected to the Cat sends exhaust back through the intake to provide extra heat to reduce emissions. (Hotter=more fuel burn). But we all know cooler=horsepower. The AIR tubes and smog pump are a part of this system.

2. It pumps cool air into the manifold to keep the CAT from overheating. If the tube is broken off at the CAT or leaks, it can burn your cat up.

These explanations contradict, #1 is airout of the exhaust, #2 is air into the exhaust.

In either case, the extra pully that drives the pump eats HP.

RB
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Old May 30, 2002 | 10:47 AM
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Wrong on both counts.

It's called the "Air Injection Reaction" system, or A.I.R. The intent is to add oxygen to the exhaust to complete the combustion of any unburnt hydrocarbons in the exhaust, thereby lowering pollutants.

The system has two modes in our cars: When the engine is cold, the air is sent to the manifolds, where the exhaust is the hottest and the conversion of the unburnt fuel is the most efficient. When the engine is warmed up, it is sent to the cat to increase the available oxygen in the catalyzing action.

In a seperate system, exhaust gas is routed under certain conditions to the induction to lower the combustion temperature, thereby reducing the amount of nitrogen oxide compounds. That's called the EGR system, and on some vehicles (like TPI Vettes), a tube is used from the exhaust manifold to the intake manifold because the heads don't have a cross-over passage like our cars do. Again, though, that is completely separate from the A.I.R. system.
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Old May 30, 2002 | 01:41 PM
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From: webster, ny
so now i know what i took off then.....haha
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Old May 30, 2002 | 01:46 PM
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Originally posted by johndo1707
so now i know what i took off then.....haha
Well, see I took of almost everything also, so I wanted to know if my car would still run after this. heh, heh, Now I know it will. One more question, if I was going to take of those pieces of **** that are attached to my exhaust manifolds, would I need bolts to go in there place? Thanks for ya'lls info. Specially 57kid.
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Old May 30, 2002 | 02:02 PM
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From: webster, ny
well make sure the bolts dont go directly into the exhaust manifold tubes. one of my friends just cut all the tubes and disconnected them and removed the pump. then he just capped all the open ends off.
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Old May 30, 2002 | 02:08 PM
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From: Houston, Tx.
Originally posted by johndo1707
well make sure the bolts dont go directly into the exhaust manifold tubes. one of my friends just cut all the tubes and disconnected them and removed the pump. then he just capped all the open ends off.
with what? where do you buy the caps?
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Old May 30, 2002 | 02:09 PM
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Just get some pipe plugs from your local hardware store. Even better buy headers.
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Old May 30, 2002 | 02:26 PM
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From: Ontario, Canada
Car: 1988 Firebird S/E
Engine: 406Ci Vortec SBC
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Axle/Gears: 7.5" Auburn 4.10 Posi-Traction
Takes about 1 hp to turn a A.I.R. pump if it's in good condition.
So removing it won't make your car go faster.
The EGR system only comes into play under part throttle cruise
conditions so removing it won't make you faster either.
You're car may detonate (ping) after removing the EGR too.
The only way to make more power is to make more air and fuel
burn in the cylinders. Removing emissions equipment will not
help.
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Old May 30, 2002 | 02:34 PM
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Originally posted by 383 rocket bird
Just get some pipe plugs from your local hardware store. Even better buy headers.
Alright, thanks, I suppose buy metal ones, right. I was also just thinking of buying 8 screws that have the same size, and thread pattern as those stupid things. That might work too. Now the only question is how to get to the hardware store.

Also, so many people have told me those excuses, taking out your a/c only gives you about 2 or 3 horsepower and the smog pump? 1 or 2. It's not JUST the horsepower, its the weight, the filling up of my engine compartment, and all this stuff heats up also when you are running your car, so it takes longer for the car to cool. But mostly, the weight and horsepower. But to each his own.
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Old May 30, 2002 | 02:41 PM
  #11  
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From: webster, ny
yeah, weight is an issue too. get some headers!
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Old May 30, 2002 | 02:48 PM
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Originally posted by johndo1707
yeah, weight is an issue too. get some headers!
I hear ya brother, I hear....But anyway! An update. I just went and reconnected the negative battery cable, to start it up. Started it up, didn't really ping. But I let it warm for a couple of minutes and VAROOOOM!!! I took off, and it was like dang! I am pretty happy right now, I think I might have put on a supercharger by accident and didn't know it. But I don't know what it's deal is, but it is going, of course it is a little bit louder, because of the exhaust coming out of those tubes and all (just a little bit is coming out). But I am very proud of my baby. You did good. *smooch* lol Thanks for all your help guys. later,
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Old May 30, 2002 | 05:35 PM
  #13  
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From: webster ny usa
thanks

Thanks for the complete explantation 57kid(i think)
I knew i took it off for the extra HP
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Old Oct 4, 2009 | 09:37 PM
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Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
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Re: smog pump purpose???

You will gain a little more power, dont know the exact amount, but I was wanting to do it more for the fact of clearing up some of the engine clutter.
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Old Oct 4, 2009 | 10:00 PM
  #15  
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
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Transmission: 700R4
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Re: smog pump purpose???

Originally Posted by 89WS-6
I hear ya brother, I hear....But anyway! An update. I just went and reconnected the negative battery cable, to start it up. Started it up, didn't really ping. But I let it warm for a couple of minutes and VAROOOOM!!! I took off, and it was like dang! I am pretty happy right now, I think I might have put on a supercharger by accident and didn't know it. But I don't know what it's deal is, but it is going, of course it is a little bit louder, because of the exhaust coming out of those tubes and all (just a little bit is coming out). But I am very proud of my baby. You did good. *smooch* lol Thanks for all your help guys. later,
Congratulations.....You have now violated a Federal Law, by tampering with emissions & rendered your car, unable to pass at inspection time (even if you have a guy that will give you a sticker, the car IS still illegal & he risks losing his inspectors license & a hefty fine on the place he works at. WAY TO GO!!!
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 04:57 AM
  #16  
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Re: smog pump purpose???

Originally Posted by Stephen
Congratulations.....You have now violated a Federal Law, by tampering with emissions & rendered your car, unable to pass at inspection time (even if you have a guy that will give you a sticker, the car IS still illegal & he risks losing his inspectors license & a hefty fine on the place he works at. WAY TO GO!!!
Congratulations..... You have now just responded to a thread that was 7 years old. Even if someone DID read your post and care in the slightest, you still responded to a 7 year old post. Thats like saying "GOOOO HOUSTON OILERS! WOOOO!" WAY TO GO!!!!
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Old Oct 11, 2009 | 08:44 AM
  #17  
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: smog pump purpose???

Originally Posted by 89WS-6
Congratulations..... You have now just responded to a thread that was 7 years old. Even if someone DID read your post and care in the slightest, you still responded to a 7 year old post. Thats like saying "GOOOO HOUSTON OILERS! WOOOO!" WAY TO GO!!!!
I was wondering if anyone would notice the dates!

Regardless of the time, what I said still stands & might make others think twice before doing it.
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Old Dec 8, 2009 | 04:48 PM
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Re: smog pump purpose???

its 2009, most of us are probably exempt from emissions with hobbyist plates 3 or 4 years ago
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Old Dec 8, 2009 | 04:57 PM
  #19  
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: smog pump purpose???

Originally Posted by Sandman22
its 2009, most of us are probably exempt from emissions with hobbyist plates 3 or 4 years ago
No.

#1, 24 years it the typical cutoff for no longer requiring emeissions testing, which means 1986. Only the first 3 years qualify now....That leaves 7 more years productions worth of 3rd gen to be tested, for 7 more years

#2, There are WAY more drivers 3rd gens out there, than collector 3rd gens that are stashed away & only driven occassionally.5

#3, No more testing only means....no more testing. Doesn't make it legal to remove parts.

Last edited by Stephen; Dec 8, 2009 at 05:10 PM. Reason: typos
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