I have been removing the air system on this '88 GTA I got the other day and I'm guessing the egr is part of it also or not? I have gotten the air lines plugged on the manifolds and all the lines off. The black box with the hoses going into it and the two electrical connections, is that part of the egr? Do the two electrical connectors need to be plugged back up to not throw a check engine light or is alright to just leave them unplugged? I have looked at many search threads and not seen this item discussed but I could have missed it. Thanks!

Jamie R.
'88 GTA

 

It's been discussed to death I think. ;-) But the answer is basically no. The AIR and EGR systems are seperate.

The ECM doesn't know much about whether the AIR system is connected or working, but it does "expect" that it is. There is some offset in the PROM for handling O2 readings IIRC so you technically need a new PROM for everything to work right. You won't get an SES light, but your emissions will be up.

The ECM looks for feedback that the EGR system is working. AIUI it uses some sort of thermal sensor to know that exhaust gases are being fed back when it commands it open. You'll definitely get an SES light from unhooking this.

I could be wrong though. ;-)

 

It is the SMOG pump. EGR is a different system

Unplugged EGR will throw a code
Unplugged SMOG will not

 

Thanks! So I need to hook the box back up and plug the connectors back in.

Jamie R.
'88 GTA

 

If you're talking about the AIR diverter box (thing with big ugly hoses that goes to AIR pump), then no you don't have to have it hooked up for the ECM to be happy (as in no SES light).

 

But there is no benefit from unplugging or removing either of them.

 

I agree, there's no performance to be had by doing that. The engine will cruise hotter on the highway without the EGR.

 

I looked in a chilton/haynes manual and saw that the egr is under the tpi plenum and I'm not messing with that. I was removing the air tubes and related items. The box I was referring to is the air diverter ( spelling) box that does have the hoses running to it and the two electrical plug in's I was referring to previously. So if I take the smog pump off the car and remove the air diverter box and just unplug the two connections then I should be ok on not getting a check engine light, correct? I am not touching the egr as I imagine that would throw a code. I also understand I would prolly gain no performance advantage with the AIR lines and related items off the car I was just trying to clean up the engine bay. Thanks again!

Jamie R.
'88 GTA

 

I got rid of all that mess, less weight and works when you start your car(air system).
EGR code comes up rarly after a long cruise.

 

Thanks! I guess I'll just leave the connectors unplugged and maybe the light will not come on. Maybe I'll ge tthe air pump off tonight and get the other belt back on.

Jamie R.
'88 GTA