I have a 1992 Camaro RS with a 3.1. The vehicle was purchased in PA but I brought it with me when I moved to CA.

I'm doing all the maintenance and getting ready to register it in CA and get a smog test. I'm worried I won't pass the smog.

While removing the original catalytic converter today I noticed it did not have that tube sticking out the side for the AIR system. I've been pricing replacement cats and everyone I have seen has that AIR tube.

Should my cat have this tube?? In 92, were there any differences in cars built for the Northeast compared to cars built for other states or CA in terms of emission control equipment? If my cat should have this tube and it has rusted off, where are the hoses that will connect up to the new cat's AIR tube??

I REALLY appreciate any help. I'm in the middle of changing the cat and now I'm stuck.

Tim
Redding, CA

 

Im pretty sure whatever was stock on your car is what you need to pass smog. My car was originally purchased in georgia i believe, and has no smog pump. I had it smogged in june (in california at a smog test only station) and it passed with flying colors. If yours didnt come with the cat with air, you probably dont need it.

 

mine has smog pump, and I belive stock *cough* cat. their is no tube from the cat to the smog pump.

 

My car was originally a CA car and still is, and never had a smog pump or AIR. It only had a cat. I still passed with flying colors.

 

Don't worry about it. The tube will be left capped. THe V6 air injection system shoots air into the passenger side exhaust manifold, not at the converter.

 

Thanks CaliCamaroRS.

So if I go to Autozone and pick up a direct fit replacement cat and it only comes with that AIR tube then I shouldn't worry about it as long as it is capped off?

 

No, you probably won't have to worry about the emissions if you go out and buy the cat with the AIR tube capped, I do believe, but not living in CA, I don't know.
The main reason I have replied is to say that the cap is just pressed on and you may lose it if you scrape the undercarriage on something (like if it hangs too low because you don't have a hanger and you have yet to fix the leaking donuts), so make sure you spot weld it on or something... not sure what the open pipe does to the emissions, but mine is open.

 

CaliCamaroRS,

This is not true for all years. I have a 1992 Camaro RS 3.1L (california built) and the air tube goes to the cat. The only v6 engines I have seen the air tubes going to the exhuast manifolds are a few of the 2.8L.

 

This is interesting. My '92 non-Cali car only has the AIR going into the passenger side manifold (a single tube). Nothing to the cat. The stock cat doesn't have a tube on it either (in order to plumb AIR in).

Then the '92 Helm manual states that only stick cars got AIR, yet mine is an auto with it.

Does the passenger side exhaust manifold have a plug in it right where the three ports meet up?

RBob.

 

Well, I went to Autozone and got a "direct fit" replacement cat. It came with the AIR tube and it is capped off.

First thing I noticed is the replacement cat is about half the size of the original. It also weighs about half as much. I hope this doesn't mean it only cleans emissions by half as much.

I'm having a problem with it leaking at the upstream connection where the exhaust pipe slides inside the cat.'s pipe. I had to chisel the old cat. off because it had rusted (over 14 years) itself to the exhaust pipe. I'm going to try using an exhaust pipe expander to make the fit more snug. I really don't want to have to get it welded on.

I will go check now for the AIR going into the exhaust manifold.

 

It's no airtube, it's a holder

Horst

 

Yeah...I didn't think I was calling it the right name. So it's an AIR tube holder?

RBob...my engine is like yours. Tube going into the passenger's side exhaust manifold. Nothing going to the cat. And of course even though my car is now in CA, it was originally sent to a dealership in Ohio and sold at one in PA.

Well, I'm done installing the cat. I finally used some exhaust repair wrap to fill the gap in the upstream connection where the pipes slide together to keep exhaust from leaking. I'm not happy with how far down the AIR tube holder is sticking. It's the lowest hanging part on the car, except for the radiator's air dam.

I appreciate the help in answering my question everyone!

 

I have the same car as you do with a aftermarket CAT that has a hookup for a air tube but it is not used. And i live in CA and it is a CA car. Keep in mind that the aftermarket cats for our cars are made to be used on all different camaros 305 350 V6 ETC. Dont worry about it. Just do a tune up and run some fuel injsector cleaner in the tank a week before you get smogged you should be fine.

 

RBob,

I went out and checked today, and no there is no plug in the manifold. Wonder what made them determine to inject the air into the cat or manifold, and why they need to do both.

 

Live in a state like Hawaii, where there are no checks for emissions. Thats why I have no cat now.

No visual inspection, plus I have the hookups.
And now the car burns out, when ever I want it too.
No more power brakeing, just step on the gas hard enough, and I got it.

 

CATS are basicly all the same if you buy one from catco or dynomax they will have the air tube capped off. My moms oldsmobile with a 3.1 had one from the factory with no air tube but when hers went bad the new one had a hookup for a air tube.

 

Good question, and I have no idea. It is a three-way cat which would normally get air between the two sections. {is there a shrug-the-shoulders-icon with an 'i dunno' flag?}

RBob.