Exhaust Questions - Emissions
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Griffith Indiana
Exhaust Questions - Emissions
The smog rail on the passenger side of my motor has rotted and detiorated. Are the smog rails needed in order to pass emissions or can I remove them all together and plug the holes until I get new headers for the vehicle? Or should I attempt to purchase a new smog rail for this original header?
I do not plan on buying new headers for a while and I would like to get it emissions tested sooner than later. What is the official name for these rails connected to the exhaust manifolds also for internet surfing purposes?
Thank you,
TTERZ
I do not plan on buying new headers for a while and I would like to get it emissions tested sooner than later. What is the official name for these rails connected to the exhaust manifolds also for internet surfing purposes?
Thank you,
TTERZ
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Griffith Indiana
Alan,
Are they important for emissions passing? Is there anything specific I need to know in ordering a new one? Can I block the wholes and still pass emissions or are they needed?
TT
Are they important for emissions passing? Is there anything specific I need to know in ordering a new one? Can I block the wholes and still pass emissions or are they needed?
TT
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
A.I.R. (air injection reactor) squirts oxygen into hot exhaust gas to burn unspent hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide gases. Actually the oxygen completes the combustion process. So if you remove the A.I.R. hardware (pump, diverter valves and pipes), your exhaust gas will emit unburned carbon monoxide (stuff in cigarette smoke taken into the lungs by those that inhale) and hydrocarbons.
Can you pass emissions? I'm not sufficiently familiar with the emission test equipment to say and don't worry about it since our state does not test for automotive emissions.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,301
Likes: 4,389
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi tt,
It's difficult to answer your questions not knowing what year your car is or what state you'e in.
Perhaps filling in your profile will help someone familiar with your state's rules give you some guidance.
Regards,
Alan
It's difficult to answer your questions not knowing what year your car is or what state you'e in.
Perhaps filling in your profile will help someone familiar with your state's rules give you some guidance.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Griffith Indiana
Sorry.....I own a 1980 Corvette with an L48 350 motor. I know that it has to be emissions tested because it is newer than a 1976 model vehicle, so I am attempting to do my research to find out what I specifically need to do in order to pass emissions in the state of Indiana....Lake county specifically.
Thanks,
TTERZ
Thanks,
TTERZ
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 327
Likes: 2
From: Livermore California
i got your motor too ...
i've got your car too here in California. mine has passed with better than current ranges for NOx/Co/CO2 the 31 years that i've had it. last year the CO rose to the max limit of the range. probably because the platinum in the (original) catalytic converter is getting old and cannot gather the excess CO any more. The A.I.R. tube is important. having one side blocked off will have a profound increase in emisssions, not to mention unequal back pressure in the mainfolds and an increse in raw gas going into the catalytic converter which clogs it up even faster.
if you fail the test, you'll have to replace the part and do it again. otherwise you'll be tagged as a gross polluter and spend goobs money to replace the smog systems components and go to get recertified at the DMV (fun ....). you can still dirve your car until the next time, then they wil not re-register your car until it passes. i'm not sure if penalties are involved, but in California they will definitely hit you up for big bucks.
if you fail the test, you'll have to replace the part and do it again. otherwise you'll be tagged as a gross polluter and spend goobs money to replace the smog systems components and go to get recertified at the DMV (fun ....). you can still dirve your car until the next time, then they wil not re-register your car until it passes. i'm not sure if penalties are involved, but in California they will definitely hit you up for big bucks.
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