Have to pass stupid emissions. I have to take out the power chip ( it says its emissions safe but thats not the case). So whats the best octaine to run with the stock chip?

 

It's kinda easy to see why ya failed smog.
Your engine is not set up to run hot which destroys emissions.
You need to get your engine inards heated up.
Change plugs, change oil, give it regular gas.
I've tried your trick/ideas (gas upgrade/over the counter fix it in can additive).
In end, it's heating up engine pollutants that "vaporizes them in combustion chamber", not exiting out the tail pipe.

 

for emmisions, if your worried about passing, unplug the fan and go through it, with the engine nice and hot it'll fly through

 

or you coud just warm the engine up and do it. no risk of overheating

 

Timing should be less than normal, it causes the engine to run leaner, add one or two bottles of dry gas, it depends how much gas you have in the gas tank. Check EGR system, it should be working perfectly, Cat should be not older than 2 years....and before going to the inspection center........get in the highway and clean it a little bit. That is what I did.......I replaced EGR valve, and EGR vacuum solenoid...
I heard that some people changed the motor oil too.

 

Depending on the type of smog test you don't want to unplug the fan. My fan wasn't kicking and as soon as it hit 240 for the smog test computer shut the test down saying that the car over heated.

 

I would temporaly switch back to the 195 stat and stock fan switch. It should do the trick no problem.

 

Yah, I went through emissions last week (second time around) and failed horribly. I got a 59.74 on CO where the limit in PHX is 15.00. Holy monkey!! In recent years Ive had to un-modify the car.. remove the perfomance chip, and put the AIR pump pully back on (I run normaly W/O the pully cuz...why have it on. with it off I may get an extra pony) and have never had a problem passing. Ive done new plugs, O2, recalibrated the TPS and even put on a new MAF (homey huk-ups rule!) to elimiante a pesty code 34 gremlin. It like a 25min drive to the testing place so I know im in a closed loop and nice and warmed up. I even sat there berfore the test and let it heat back up to 240. I havent run through yet with the new MAF so hopefuly that will do the trick. if that doesnt work im out of ideas except for the EGR system and fuel additives like water eater and octaine boost.
59.74!!!!

 

Definitely Super Gas. Super runs cooler and will lower the NOx number. Also this will also help...replace or clean and re-gap spark plugs (will also run cooler) and use a bottle of Techron fuel cleaner a couple of weeks before before you go. So you can fill up on super when it's time.

 

how would timing cause it to run leaner?

 

rx7speed,
To be honest, I have no idea. The only thing that I know is that if you advance it, it runs richer, and if you retard it, it runs leaner. I did not ask for an explanation about it.....I just did it on my car, it runs much more better after advancing it 4 degrees.

 

Remember that these egines are old and worn. The stock timing may don't be the best setting. You may need to a couple of degress in either directions. Only way to find out is play with it and see what works best. For mine 12 BTDC works best.

 

Was that the only spec you failed?

If so, how old is your air filter? Change it out. You could even throw in a $5 Walmart Special, as long as it's brand new and clean.

When CO is high but nothing else is, that means the motor's not getting enough fresh Oxygen (O2) molecules. When the motor gets enough Oxygen, the car puts out a lot of CO2 (carbon dioxide), but when the air filter's dirty, you just get CO.

I'll throw a cheap filter in just for the test, then put my K&N back when I get home. The filter goes into a box marked "emissions test", and I take it out next time I've gotta go on the rollers. Yep, we do our emissions on the dyno in NJ... similar to California, and almost as strict- almost.

Besides the new filter, I also do the following to prep:

1. Cleaned up the cap & rotor contacts with a metal file

2. Checked all plug wires with an ohm meter to make sure all were within a "normal" range of each other (no extreme readings)

3. Sprayed throttle body & intake cleaner into the TB

4. Cleaned and regapped the spark plugs AFTER using the throttle body cleaner

5. Changed the oil

6. Checked / adjusted the timing to stock spec

7. Checked / adjusted the TPS to stock spec (note, only for 85-89 2.8's)

8. Bought a bottle of "Guaranteed To Pass" and followed the directions (add to full tank of gas, drive until empty, fill up with gas and immediately do the emissions test)

Oh and a bad EGR would only raise your NOx.

 

That is damn right, Bitching RS, that is why you should se the timing by driving your car and feeling the difference.
TomP, Does that emission test pass guarantee bottle work? I did not want to try it at all, because you know, here in NJ emissions are hard as hell.........

 

runnin better doesn't mean running richer though, it might just be the advancing it made it to where the flame front makes pressure at the right not =. nothing to do with how rich the car runs though

 

OH LISTEN TO THOSE CRYBABIES OF NEW ERSEY!!
OH BOO HOOO
My heart bleeds!
Wait until ya gotten a hold by a bastard that's trying like hell to fail your car, that really can & will pass!
Wait til ya gotten a hold by bastards that have wrong information in books that "smog spec your car" ya trying to pass.
Know how much fun it is to prove to these guys your NCRS Spec'd Corvette is really this way from 1974?
BUT SMOG BOOK SAYS
needless to say I wrote & provided proof for all three smog book printers of my Corvette......yes it was corrected......
YOU CRYBABIES OF NEW JERSEY HAVEN"T CLUE WHAT IT IS LIKE TO SMOG CHECK A FEDERAL 49 STATE CAR IN CALIFORNIA!
Ask me about my 1985 Blazer smog checks!!!!
Oh my heart bleeds for ya in New Jersey Smog Check!
LOL!!!!!
Hey, no offence! ya know!
Been smog checked since 1983! And dreading every time.....some new BS will come my way.....