Car is a 1988 TransAm GTA. Engine is a 5.7 TPI. Having a problem with the AIR system. For starters, I cant remove the system. It is required for the annual safety inspection. Doesnt have to work, just has to be there. With that said, here is what I have found. It looks like the PEDES ( air control) valve is defective. The valve directs most of the air to the cat and a small amount to the exhaust manifolds, all the time. They way it should work is to divert air to the exhaust manifolds until closed loop and then the air is diverted to the cat. Ran thru the shop manual diagnostics and it indicates a defective valve,( a $400.00 + ) part or the ECM. ECM is a few weeks old so it looks like the valve is the problem. So my question is, will having the air going to the cat all the time cause a problem, should I block off the air going to the exhaust manifolds, or block off all the air going in to the valve? Removing the pump would be a pain since this is a serp belt setup and there is no separate belt for the air pump. I know lots of folks have completely removed the system, but that is not a viable option for 5 more years( state requirements).

 

Since it has to be present but doesn't have to work why not just gut the pump? The pump is held on by just 2 bolts and the PEDES is held onto it by just 2 bolts so it's not hard to take off. NC is the same on pre-96 vehicles. I had removed the AIR system from my car and have since decided to make the car "look" legal since the guy who runs the station I use has decided to be more observant under the hood and I'm due in March '09. My car passed it's last actual emissions test well within spec without the AIR and the cat in place. I have had no problems running with them reoved either.

 

I would just rip the hole thing out. I live in NY and I haven't had any AIR stuff on my IROC for 3 years and never had an inspection issue. If you remove everything including the belt just run a belt that is 1.5" shorter I think was what I needed. Then go to a valvoline or jiffy lube for inspection most of the guys there either don't kno or don't care and will lick and stick it no problem. Especially if you toss them 5 bucks for lunch.

 

None of those shops within 20 miles. Actuallly, I get it inspected at the dealer and he just gives it a quick look see and slaps a sticker on it. I have know them for many years and they know all of my cars so inspection isnt much of a deal.

 

I have pretty much all AIR components removed except the smog pump.
The smog pump pushes air directly to the cat, removed the stock exhaust
manifolds and replaced them with Hedman headers that has the AIR tubes.

The AIR/valve system is not hooked up until I run into a "pesky" testing
station. but, Ive never had a problem with emissions or life span because
of air straight to the cat.

 

Thats kind of where I was thinking. The only "extra" air to the cat would be when in open loop. When system goes closed, all the air is normally diverted to the cat. I think I will just block off the air going to the manifolds, that seems to be the issue outlined in the shop manual. Probably confuses the O2 sensor. Thanks, for the replies. Car is off the road for the winter so I wont know how this change effects the running for a while.