Was looking in to 3-way catalytic converters, and came across this one Random Techs site:
http://www.randomtechnology.com/technical.html

The part that intrested me was:
"With improvements in washcoat technology, and improved control of air/fuel ratios, the need for additional oxygen has been eliminated. Some vehicle manufacturers have continued to use oxidation converters on some models, but typically that has been done to use up inventory. As an example, the Corvette and Camaro Z/28 were equipped with oxidation converters through 1991 and 1992 respectively. But when the LT1 engine replaced the L98 (1992 in Corvette, 1993 in Camaro) three-way converters with no air tubes were incorporated. "

So if I got a new converter with this in mind, would I be able to get rid of all the AIR stuff without adversely affecting my emissions? How much did cam and tune for the LT1 affect the ability to get rid of AIR?

 

Doubtful, even if the Random converter didnt require extra oxygen, you will still need the AIR to pump air into the manifolds to help burn the unburned fuel. Youll put out more hydrocarbons without the AIR and will probably fail your emissions test. I think that Random was talking about advancement in OEM converter technology, Id assume that their converter for thirdgens is still a 3-bed requiring the extra oxygen. BTW, the LT1 has an AIR system, it only pumps into the manifolds and is electric instead of on the beltdrive.

 

I got rid of everything and still passed the emmissions test. BTW I still have cat but everythign else is gone. I also have TF Heads 269 Cam and a superram and passed with no probs. I talked to a GM guy down the street and said every EFI car will pass without them. They are only pumped into the manifolds when cold and divert when in closed loop to the cat. He said the minimal air it pushes does really nothing. I took the AIR off and passed with flyinf colors. Did it both stock and when I had the modified motor.

 

A thought just occured to me... how easy would it be to disable AIR and go run it through the test, just to see what kind of effect it had?

 

remove the pump and get a shorter belt to try, but dont worry if the car is somewhat stock you'll pass no problems.

 

So assuming a stock engine in good tune, is it correct that you can easily pass emissions if you remove all the AIR equipment (to manifolds and cat)? And anyone done this and passed their sniffer test?

 

I did. My friend with a 87 305 TPI did, my friend with a 90 305 TPI did and my other friend with a 91 350 TPI did, and my GF's 91 3.1L did.

 

the way I understand a 3-way cat working, EGR and AIR are completely useless. the rhodium cataylst breaks down the NOx releasing enough oxygen to make the converter burn the unburned fuel more efficiently with regular platinum catalyst. Adding EGR and AIR to this will make it work better perhaps, but you should be clean enough if you're running FI on an SBC with a 3 way (or 2 )

 

Yeah, but the EGR will make the converters job (as far as oxides of nitrogen) half as hard. I guess your hydrocarbon emissions will vary widely depending on your engines state of tune and whether its running predominantly rich or lean. If I had emissions testing, I would most definitly fail due to my lack of AIR and rich-running engine. (Due to the PROM tuners tendency to program rich to save their own *ss )

 

ALso be aware that in some states, they check for components. Cat, Charcoal cannister, restrictor plate in fuel tank, etc. Depending on the laws, you can fail the emmissions inspection VISUALLY, let alone the actual test. Washington state was very VERY bad about that. My last test (Colorado) they noted that all my components were in place, but my A/C was disconnected. So some places do check such things.