I have an 1984 Trans am 5.0, 4bbl, 5-speed, and i just wanted to know if there is any way i can remove the stock PCV setup it has right now and maybe replace it with something less bulky. i hear that i cant just slap a valve cover breather on it because there would be some problem with crankcase pressure? also would there even be a benefit besides the more room under the hood, and if there is a replacement how much would it run me? Thanks guys.

 

Your engine won't run right without it. If I remember right it's one of the vacuum lines connected to the carb

Spectra offers a Chrome one that I've used. I think I remember the factory one being really small though

 

You can remove it - but you need to cap or plug the vacuum line to it so you don't have a vacuum leak.

BUT - the PCV valve has a function that you should consider. It sucks the crankcase fumes out and they get burned in the combustion chamber. Fumes accumulate in the crankcase from oil, gas, etc. Over time, these fumes will condesate into liquid that is corrosive - thus the need to evacuate them. Some folks run a breather on one valve cover, and a PCV on the other - that way fresh air enters the breather, and gets sucked through the crankcase and out the PCV valve. If I remember, stock there is a breather-like thing that attaches to the air filter housing on one valve cover, and a PCV valve on the other.

It's probably better for your motor to have a PCV valve in the end. But I also don't think having one at all will harm anything - maybe after years and years there would be enough corrosive condesation to break down a seal somewhere. But removing it means you'll need to plug the valve cover holes with something (at least use a breather), and cap off that vacuum line at the carb.

 

You're likely to have an oily mess all over the valve covers without it. The breather(s) get saturated with oil vapors and start to drip. It's pretty miserable on a street driven car.

The valve itself and the hose to the carb don't take up much room, but the breather hose on the other side of the engine that goes from the valve cover to the stock air cleaner housing is on the list for replacement if you're switching to an open element air cleaner or cold air intake of some kind.

Typically aftermarket valve covers use a 1.25" grommet and a 1" breather hole, factory ones use a 1" grommet and a 3/4" breather hole. The aftermarket sized stuff is readily available. Fitting an aftermarket breather directly to a factory valve cover is going to take a little more looking to find the right grommet and breather, but it can be done. K&N and others make a 3/4" necked breather element to fit a stock valve cover (assuming you have the right grommet to accept it).