Need a quick fix...

I was wondering if anyone could help me pass emissions test. I have done a search, but I feel that emissions problems vary from car to car - please help. I have Edelbrock LTR setup with airfoil and 1.6 rr, APFR set at 43 psi, 4* initial timing, summit racing 14" cat, no smog pump.

Other mods are 1&5/8" headers and y-pipe, flowmaster 3" catback, K&N filter MSD ignition, plugs gapped at .05 over.

Test results:
-------------------HCs----------------COs

ME---------------2.4-------------------5

STANDARD-------0.8-------------------15

You can see that my HCs are 3x higher than acceptable but my COs are way low. What does that mean?
What am I doing wrong (probably need bigger cat)? Running too lean? plz help!!!

No, if you were running lean, your CO's would be through the roof.

Your cat is prolly not working, or your just running too damn rich.. I'd check the O2 with a scantool, and possibly replace it, check your AIR pump and related componenets, and if all checks well, consider replacing your cat.

-- Joe

I have no smog pump
The cat is a catco I got from summit - the shortest, cheapest 3" diamater cat I could find....sounds like I answered my own question, huh..

Any more tips?

I have to disagree. High HC but low CO sounds like a lean condition. If you have a MAF car, I think a vacuum leak is your problem.

What? HC's are un-burned fuel.

CO's are the direct result of a lean condition.

-- Joe

http://www.servicemycar.com/gpm.htm

This explains a lot of basics. I was under the impression that high HC and CO meant running rich while high HC and low CO was running lean.

IF YOU NEED TO SMOG YOUR CAR, SHOULDN'T YOU HAVE THE SMOG PUMP ON?

I think I leaned my car out on purpose by dropping fuel pressure to 43 psi (with my high flowing intake) and by using 2 bottles of heat on 1/4 tank of gas (Ethyl/methyl alcohol). Would a lean condition cause my high HC's?

Also, would a proper size cat drop me the rest of the way?

Thanks for all your help

P.S. - The Smog pump only pumps air into the cat to help heat it up quicker (at least that's what I'm told) but I mash the gas before a sniffer anyway so the cat gets good and hot

Mello Yello, a scan tool would be very handy in troubleshooting this since any of the sensors can be faulty/mis-reading. A scan tool would show your BLM number and tell you if your running too rich/lean. You could then post results and figure out the cause.

I know that you should program a new prom after modifying an engine, the intake system, or the exhaust. You didn't mention you had a custom prom.

If your cat is new, it shouldn't be a problem. Maybe if you were a few tenths of a point off...not 3x higher.

Maybe you can post a pic of the emissions graph. I know that if the HC's peek at certain times, like pressing/releasing the gas pedal, it means something. What it means i don't know, but someone here might.

why dont you slip the guy $20
thats what i do and it works everytime

My grasp of sarcasm is failing me at the moment...

You're joking, right?

No, he's prolly not.. Welcome to reality.

-- Joe

no im not i live in ny right on the border of the city and they are very strict
alot of places have camaras installed and all i do is slip him a 20 and he runs another car inplace of mine
i just did it 2 weeks ago and this time they ran a 2001 saturn im my cars place
needless to say it passed
offer anyone extra money and they will do anything
i just told them "look i know my car wont pass, can you hook me up" and give him the money
and if he still will not do it someone else near you will

A mostly stock car that won't pass emissions isn't running right. I noticed the 1.6 rockers, stock chip with bigger lift will run lean as I am seeing. You could boost your fuel pressure to try to offset this. What is your vacuum reading at idle? Are we dealing with MAF or SD? Also, air does lower your reading because oxygen helps catalyze(sp?)the exhaust......don't quote me but I think into co2.