The previous owner of my '89 installed a cold-air kit in my car, and didn't have any room to reinstall the canister, so I am without one now, and have been for some time. For this reason I can smell gas fumes. The car runs perfect. My question is, do I really need one, and What exactly does it do?

Thanks

 

If I remember correctly, it stores unburnt fuel for later use. (Which would be why you smell gas fumes.)

I don't think it's needed, but .. why not have it on there anyways? You could probably just position it somewhere else, there's plenty of room in the engine compartment really. Besides, I don't know if I'd like the idea of random gas fumes floating around the engine bay like that. Say you had a short in one of the sparkplug wires...

You'd have a neat new hood removal tool!

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89 iroc-z 305 tbi
k&n filtercharger, open element air filter. nuffin' else

 

I'm in the same situation...I put cold air induction on my GTA last year and didn't have room to relocate the canister in the engine compartment. The canister has to be upright to work correctly. I'm going to relocate the battery in the trunk and mount the canister where the battery is now. Make sure you use an approved sealed box if you put the battery in the trunk.

 

Just a question about the last post, why does the canister have to be upright to work correctly. I have mine installed upside down under the shroud near the hood latch, just curious, maybe I have to move it now??? PLease email with response if you can. Thanks.

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87 GTA 350 L98
K&N filter, beefed up TH-700r4, Accel Manifold, Ported Plenum and Runners, Fuel Press. Regulator 49.5psi, air foil, modified MAF, SLP cold air box, Hypertech Thermomaster chip w/160 thermostat, MSD 6AL and Blaster 3, B&M shift kit & megashifter, Moser Ford 9in Rear with Richmond 3.50 and locker, Edlebrock TES headers and Cat Back,Gutted cat, removed emissions, Hotchkis setup in rear, Poly suspension and Koni in the front, relocated MAT, bypassed TB coolant, 300 lbs lighter

Fastest ET's
Stock-0-60 6.8, 1/4 15.0 @ 94
Best-0-60 4.7, 1/4 12.8 @ 112
Norm-0-60 5.2, 1/4 13.2 @ 108

 

Would it matter if I plug the hose that connects to the canister? At least this way I won't have the strong smell of gas when I park my car in the garage.

 

Don't plug the line! That line is a vent from your gas tank. I have been running without a canister for about 4 years now, the only thing I did was to put a cheap $.99 napa fuel filter on the vent line and then ran a piece of tubing down under the car right next to the ground effects in front of the front wheel. That was the fumes are vented out and away from the engine bay.

 

wooo, I thought the vent was up under near the rear axle. At least thats where my '82 vent is, and even has a little filter like deal on it.

That canister is more emissions crap, go ahead and flame it you want.

Ron

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'82 Trans Am
'81 Camaro Z-28
'94 Vette LT1 Coupe

 

That would be the axle vent.

 

It's the fuel (vent)ilator located up under there. I don't remember ever seeing a axle vent on my '82 - yet.
The only thing I run is a fuel line to my engine, and the vent near the tank.

I know there like four lines from the tank (Feed, Vent, Vapor, Return) does that sound right ?

Ron



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'82 Trans Am
'81 Camaro Z-28
'94 Vette LT1 Coupe

 

I believe you can plug it if you use a vented gas cap.

 

yep, its emissions, but won't really affect a smog test (well, maybe the visual part). It will cause pollution, as you would be letting vapors escape, but won't fail the sniffer

 

NO. Took out mine and replaced it with a "Moroso Cool Can." Works much better

 

I installed an MSD box in it's place and didn't really notice any gas fumes. I also left the line totally open. Maybe I'm just a crazy bastard, or lazy. I like the fuel filter on the end and a hose to the ground effects idea. Next time I'll go that route.

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82 z28 350cid, vortec heads, comp 262h cam, Holley 600cfm carb, 2in twice pipes, MSD ignition, turbo 350 trans, 3.73 posi, manly b&m megashifter