The car I bought is from California and it has a smog pump on it. I would like to take this off but I do not know where it is and what it looks like. Can someone please help me?

 

First you need to check with your local smog program (if you have one) and make sure its not required for an exam.

Its below the alternator.

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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

GO #3

 

Give us info on the type car you bought, year, engine size...ect.

I'm assuming you mean air pump right? If not all the rest of this is talking about the air pump removal process.

All f-body cars came with a air pump no matter what state you live in. On my 88 it is located on the passenger side of the engine under the AC compressor. To remove it you need to remove the air diverter valve (has 2 sets of plugs going to it and a metal tube running from it to the smog pump. Next remove your smog pump, remove the air tube going to the cat or just plug it up and cap off the air injection tubes in your exhaust manifolds. You will also need a shorter belt if yours is the Serpentine belt system. The air tubes running from the manifolds to the cat are connected with 2 bolts on the back of the heads and can be a pain to get at so you may be better off just plugging the tubes. If you want to remove the tubes you may have to remove a few other car parts to be able to get to the bolts and the bolt on the driver side has ground wires hooked to them that must be put back on one the tubing is removed.

It's a pretty simple process but time consuming and all the smog/air pump does is pump fresh air into the exhaust manifolds and other times it pumps it into the atmosphere when it's not needed. Thats what the air diverter valve controls. Some people have a code set in the computer wen they unplug the air diverter valve but most don't.



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1988 TA 300+hp 350 w/ TBI and Holley TB unit,
WC T-5, 3.42 gears w/ Auburn posi. MSD 6A, edelbrock TES headers, dynomax 3" cat and cat-back system, ACCEL coil, polyurethane bushings all around, aluminum driveshaft, Mr. Gasket open air cleaner.

1993 S-10 w/ 4.3L V6 TBI, slightly bigger cam, Mild polish job and 3 angle valve job on heads, Edlebrock TES headers, Dynomax cat back, MSD 6A, ADS chip
(bought from my dad)

2000 GMC Sierra Regular Cab Stepside
285hp 5.3L w/ 3.42 gears and locking diff. (sold to my dad..no!!)

 

It is a 1990 RS it has the stock 305 in it still. I am not sure what kind of emisions program is out here, but I know they are trying to change it again. The main reason I want to take it off is to regain the horsepower that was lost when the work was done in order to pass the tough California emmisions.

 

Removing the smog pump will give you virtually no increase in horsepower. 1-2 hp at the absolute most. I don't believe that california cars had any special smog equipment. I think their reduced emissions could possibly have come from a re-calibrated PROM although I'm not sure.

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Do most people think I should not even waste my time doing this?

 

I did it so I could get to my plugs easier. Another reason is to clean up the engine bay. To do it for a HP increase is silly, it would be such a minimal amount it wouldnt make any difference.
On a thirdgen, the california emissons package was just a way for them to raise the sticker price.

 

Neo,

CAFE cars did have a different part numbers for the ECM PROMs. Whether there is any substantial difference in the programming is the $64 question. If there is a difference, you can bet the CAFE cars are a bit leaner and poorer-performing. Keep the AIR pump unless you really need the space. You can probably overcome the CAFE programming with a replacement PROM for $50.00 from GM, or get a custom PROM if you are so inclined.

Incidentally, it's too bad we couldn't re-engineer the crust plates so the "Big One" only takes Sacramento into the Pacific. Come to think of it, the capital city even has a somewhat paradoxical name. One would think the root word "sacrament" would imply some grace and dignity, when it is apparent the the word "excrement" would be a more fitting descriptor. Maybe the Spaniards got confused. Not to flame the good residents of the river city, but the rainbow platoons in the capitol building could use a nice swim, couldn't they? C'mon guys, start drilling those "environmental test wells" around the capitol grounds, will ya? Nice and deep, too.

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Later,
Vader
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"Make Me Bad"
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0

 

Thanks guys

[This message has been edited by Neo (edited October 01, 2000).]