C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

1978.....Need some smog help!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 15, 2009 | 03:31 PM
  #1  
Go_fast_buddy's Avatar
Go_fast_buddy
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default 1978.....Need some smog help!!

hey guys im looking into buying a 78 C3 with a newish 350 3 spd (i think). it is a friend of mines sitting in his drive way for about 5 years or so. in high school he put a new 350 crate motor from chevy and didnt put the smog equipment back on there.

what would i need to get this thing back into "smog legal" condition?? he has shorty headers on it right now with no smog hooK ups or anything. It fires up and runs no problem. If some one can help me on this, i can get the car for about2000 or tade a bucket of mine for the 'vette.

WHAT DO I NEED??? THANKS
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2009 | 03:51 PM
  #2  
Duke94's Avatar
Duke94
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Default

You'll need the entire A.I.R system (air pump) which feeds air into the exhaust manifolds (headers may have to go). There is also numerous vacuum temp contols for EGR etc. Lots of parts.

Gary
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2009 | 03:54 PM
  #3  
KapsSA's Avatar
KapsSA
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 60 Days
Active Streak: 90 Days
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,371
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
Default

Was it originally an L82 or L48 motor?
Only the L82 or California L48s had the smog pump and associated plumbing.
You might just need the exhaust manifolds back on with the preheat stove and pipe, egr valve and some vacuun hoses and fittings.
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2009 | 04:06 PM
  #4  
Easy Mike's Avatar
Easy Mike
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

For emissions testing, you may have to put the catcon and Y pipes back on.

Reply
Old Oct 15, 2009 | 06:33 PM
  #5  
fauxrs's Avatar
fauxrs
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 3
From: San Diego CA
Default

Originally Posted by Go_fast_buddy
hey guys im looking into buying a 78 C3 with a newish 350 3 spd (i think). it is a friend of mines sitting in his drive way for about 5 years or so. in high school he put a new 350 crate motor from chevy and didnt put the smog equipment back on there.

what would i need to get this thing back into "smog legal" condition?? he has shorty headers on it right now with no smog hooK ups or anything. It fires up and runs no problem. If some one can help me on this, i can get the car for about2000 or tade a bucket of mine for the 'vette.

WHAT DO I NEED??? THANKS
First thing you want to do is look and see if the emissions label is still on the car. This label is located right above the Power brake booster on the firewall near the drivers side hood latch. On this label it will list all of the originally installed emissions equipment the car came with. It will for certain have
  • PCV - Positive Crankcase Ventilation
  • EFE - Early Fuel Evaporation
  • THERMAC - thermostatic controlled air cleaner
  • EGR - Exhaust Gas recirculation
  • EVAP - evaporative controls (charcoal cannister)
  • Catalytic Convertor

It may or may not have
  • AIR - Air Injection Reactor

Once youve identified what the car originally came equipped with you can then determine what it is you need. The EVAP and PCV system are likely still there as they are rarely removed. If the engine still has the original intake then EGR is as easy as buying the EGR valve and the temp controlled vacuum switches at the front of the intake.

The hardest stuff to replace is the AIR system if its all gone.
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2009 | 07:27 AM
  #6  
jeff79''s Avatar
jeff79'
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,647
Likes: 1
From: East Aurora N.Y.
St. Jude Donor '10
Default

Is the original intake manifold and carb still on the car ?
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2009 | 07:41 PM
  #7  
Go_fast_buddy's Avatar
Go_fast_buddy
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default

Thanks for all the replies guys! so i havent seen the car since the day i posted my first thread. and im goin to look at it today again. i do know the intake manifold is aftermarket (no EGR inlet), the headers have no outlets/inlets of any sort.

When you pop the hood, it just has the basics: engine, alternator, p/s pump, water pump. he has receipts for the whole thing and when i look at it today ill try and post a pic of it with the VIN/engine code/and other information.

Is it even worth it to make it smog legal? the body is super straight and interior doesnt have a rip inside.. pretty much needs paint and smog stuff. thanks again.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2009 | 09:34 PM
  #8  
jeff79''s Avatar
jeff79'
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,647
Likes: 1
From: East Aurora N.Y.
St. Jude Donor '10
Default

Originally Posted by Go_fast_buddy
Thanks for all the replies guys! so i havent seen the car since the day i posted my first thread. and im goin to look at it today again. i do know the intake manifold is aftermarket (no EGR inlet), the headers have no outlets/inlets of any sort.

When you pop the hood, it just has the basics: engine, alternator, p/s pump, water pump. he has receipts for the whole thing and when i look at it today ill try and post a pic of it with the VIN/engine code/and other information.

Is it even worth it to make it smog legal? the body is super straight and interior doesnt have a rip inside.. pretty much needs paint and smog stuff. thanks again.
If it's going to be a driver, I would leave the headers on it and forget the smog stuff.....If you want a correct, NCRS show car, then obviously you'll need to do some work....Personally, I would let her breath the way she was intended to and leave it as it is.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 04:41 AM
  #9  
hunt4cleanair's Avatar
hunt4cleanair
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Default

Originally Posted by Go_fast_buddy
hey guys im looking into buying a 78 C3 with a newish 350 3 spd (i think). it is a friend of mines sitting in his drive way for about 5 years or so. in high school he put a new 350 crate motor from chevy and didnt put the smog equipment back on there.

what would i need to get this thing back into "smog legal" condition?? he has shorty headers on it right now with no smog hooK ups or anything. It fires up and runs no problem. If some one can help me on this, i can get the car for about2000 or tade a bucket of mine for the 'vette. WHAT DO I NEED??? THANKS
If you're looking for a "smog legal" 78 C3...pass and look for one that has not been tinkered with. There are plenty out there and you won't have to
  1. educate yourself re the emission systems detailed above.
  2. Search and spend lots of dollars on many parts, most of which are no longer available.
  3. Install, and tune the car for a comprehensive smog system.

Or as suggested, use as a driver with headers on it.
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 08:48 AM
  #10  
Ganey's Avatar
Ganey
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Default

Ask if he has any parts taken off to go w/ it & check exhaust for cat.
A lot of that stuff is cheap, used on other Chevys & some have it & don't need/want it. You should at least list the your state in profile.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 1978.....Need some smog help!!





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:06 PM.

story-0
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-5
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE