1977 C-3 Ca. smog issues.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: CAMARILLO CA
Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
By "air vacuum canister" if you mean the fuel evap. system ECS look for the canister under the washer tank under driver side fender.
EFE actuator on exhaust manifold probably to TVS in thermostat housing. You could post pics. So you have the stock carb?
EFE actuator on exhaust manifold probably to TVS in thermostat housing. You could post pics. So you have the stock carb?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: CAMARILLO CA
I'll try to get some pictures posted tonight or tomorrow a.m. Thank you.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: CAMARILLO CA
I did find the fuel Evap under and behind the washer tank (Thanks Ganey) I've been from one end of the car to the other and never saw it there. I got my devices a tad bit mixed up, it appears the EFE is missing and I'm still lacking a diagram for the plumbing but I am getting closer.
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Last edited by Tod M Elliott; Nov 15, 2011 at 08:51 AM. Reason: Pictures
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 3
From: San Diego CA
I suspect you will find your car came equipped with ;
EGR: which you're capable of installing on one of your present manifolds
EFE: I had to hunt this down as well for my l82 equipped 78 - the parts are available if not a bit pricey (for what you get)
CAT: all 77's had catalytic convertors - get a good hi flow modern one
Evap: this is the cannister you mentioned in a previous post - no harm in having one
PCV: your engine shots indicate you already have this
Thermac: thermostaticly controlled air cleaner, this the single snorkle factory air cleaner with the vacuum controlled door and hot air connection to the drivers side manifold. a flexible metal tube connects the air cleaner with the exhaust manifold, you can even see the place where it connects to on the manifold in one of your photos.
there may be 77 specific equipment not mentioned here but in all likelyhood those above would get you past the visual inspection.
An assembly instruction manual (AIM) will have hose routing digrams on how to connect it all up - its a worthwhile book to have in any case.
good luck
EGR: which you're capable of installing on one of your present manifolds
EFE: I had to hunt this down as well for my l82 equipped 78 - the parts are available if not a bit pricey (for what you get)
CAT: all 77's had catalytic convertors - get a good hi flow modern one
Evap: this is the cannister you mentioned in a previous post - no harm in having one
PCV: your engine shots indicate you already have this
Thermac: thermostaticly controlled air cleaner, this the single snorkle factory air cleaner with the vacuum controlled door and hot air connection to the drivers side manifold. a flexible metal tube connects the air cleaner with the exhaust manifold, you can even see the place where it connects to on the manifold in one of your photos.
there may be 77 specific equipment not mentioned here but in all likelyhood those above would get you past the visual inspection.
An assembly instruction manual (AIM) will have hose routing digrams on how to connect it all up - its a worthwhile book to have in any case.
good luck
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: CAMARILLO CA
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: CAMARILLO CA
I suspect you will find your car came equipped with ;
EGR: which you're capable of installing on one of your present manifolds
EFE: I had to hunt this down as well for my l82 equipped 78 - the parts are available if not a bit pricey (for what you get)
CAT: all 77's had catalytic convertors - get a good hi flow modern one
Evap: this is the cannister you mentioned in a previous post - no harm in having one
PCV: your engine shots indicate you already have this
Thermac: thermostaticly controlled air cleaner, this the single snorkle factory air cleaner with the vacuum controlled door and hot air connection to the drivers side manifold. a flexible metal tube connects the air cleaner with the exhaust manifold, you can even see the place where it connects to on the manifold in one of your photos.
there may be 77 specific equipment not mentioned here but in all likelyhood those above would get you past the visual inspection.
An assembly instruction manual (AIM) will have hose routing digrams on how to connect it all up - its a worthwhile book to have in any case.
good luck
EGR: which you're capable of installing on one of your present manifolds
EFE: I had to hunt this down as well for my l82 equipped 78 - the parts are available if not a bit pricey (for what you get)
CAT: all 77's had catalytic convertors - get a good hi flow modern one
Evap: this is the cannister you mentioned in a previous post - no harm in having one
PCV: your engine shots indicate you already have this
Thermac: thermostaticly controlled air cleaner, this the single snorkle factory air cleaner with the vacuum controlled door and hot air connection to the drivers side manifold. a flexible metal tube connects the air cleaner with the exhaust manifold, you can even see the place where it connects to on the manifold in one of your photos.
there may be 77 specific equipment not mentioned here but in all likelyhood those above would get you past the visual inspection.
An assembly instruction manual (AIM) will have hose routing digrams on how to connect it all up - its a worthwhile book to have in any case.
good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 954
Likes: 2
From: San Jose CA
Been down this road before with CA DMV. As a result, all my "hobby" cars are always 1975 and older. No need to smog. No need to add unneeded smog equipment with questionable purpose and reliability. Smog is a big reason why 1976 and newer C3 Corvettes are less expensive.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 602
From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
Been down this road before with CA DMV. As a result, all my "hobby" cars are always 1975 and older. No need to smog. No need to add unneeded smog equipment with questionable purpose and reliability. Smog is a big reason why 1976 and newer C3 Corvettes are less expensive.
Ill have to deal with this at some point.. for now im registered in a non smog Co... And looking to buy property in a non smog co as well..
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: CAMARILLO CA
I suspect you will find your car came equipped with ;
EGR: which you're capable of installing on one of your present manifolds
EFE: I had to hunt this down as well for my l82 equipped 78 - the parts are available if not a bit pricey (for what you get)
CAT: all 77's had catalytic convertors - get a good hi flow modern one
Evap: this is the cannister you mentioned in a previous post - no harm in having one
PCV: your engine shots indicate you already have this
Thermac: thermostaticly controlled air cleaner, this the single snorkle factory air cleaner with the vacuum controlled door and hot air connection to the drivers side manifold. a flexible metal tube connects the air cleaner with the exhaust manifold, you can even see the place where it connects to on the manifold in one of your photos.
there may be 77 specific equipment not mentioned here but in all likelyhood those above would get you past the visual inspection.
An assembly instruction manual (AIM) will have hose routing digrams on how to connect it all up - its a worthwhile book to have in any case.
good luck
EGR: which you're capable of installing on one of your present manifolds
EFE: I had to hunt this down as well for my l82 equipped 78 - the parts are available if not a bit pricey (for what you get)
CAT: all 77's had catalytic convertors - get a good hi flow modern one
Evap: this is the cannister you mentioned in a previous post - no harm in having one
PCV: your engine shots indicate you already have this
Thermac: thermostaticly controlled air cleaner, this the single snorkle factory air cleaner with the vacuum controlled door and hot air connection to the drivers side manifold. a flexible metal tube connects the air cleaner with the exhaust manifold, you can even see the place where it connects to on the manifold in one of your photos.
there may be 77 specific equipment not mentioned here but in all likelyhood those above would get you past the visual inspection.
An assembly instruction manual (AIM) will have hose routing digrams on how to connect it all up - its a worthwhile book to have in any case.
good luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 3
From: San Diego CA
I think I actually got mine off E-bay.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Go to your local state ref not the local smog shop.
As said they may be more lenient.
had a K5 blazer yrs ago that had a BBC swapped in place of the 350 decent size cam etc etc.
All he asked me to do was get some universal smog rails, pump kit and I was good. No mention of EGR cat etc. Never even sniffed it they just want to see the stuff on there.
Fwiw ran the same with the stuff on.
As said they may be more lenient.
had a K5 blazer yrs ago that had a BBC swapped in place of the 350 decent size cam etc etc.
All he asked me to do was get some universal smog rails, pump kit and I was good. No mention of EGR cat etc. Never even sniffed it they just want to see the stuff on there.
Fwiw ran the same with the stuff on.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: CAMARILLO CA
Looking at the old engine last night, I finally located the engine stamp. The stamp indicates CLA telling me the car was produced with non-California emissions and an automatic transmission, so my emission system is minimal and I’m not that far from achieving a passing emissions test. So if nothing else with all the research I’ve done, along with the help from the members of this forum I’ve gained a considerable amount of knowledge on my car.
Thanks again guys!
I’ll let you know when I get the cert.
Thanks again guys!
I’ll let you know when I get the cert.
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Sorry to dig up this old thread. I’m in the exact same position with my ‘77 vette.
Please let me know if you were able to get your non CA car to pass smog in California. Did you have to add AIR smog pump and all?
Thanks for any feedback/update!!
Please let me know if you were able to get your non CA car to pass smog in California. Did you have to add AIR smog pump and all?
Thanks for any feedback/update!!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,225
Likes: 7,823
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Seriously, Don't bring up a 14 year old thread. Just don't. The guy your asking hasn't even been on the forum in 8 years!
Please start a new thread and ask your questions .
Other than that, Welcome to the forum. I'm certain if you start a new thread and ask your questions properly you'll get helpful answers.
Please start a new thread and ask your questions .
Other than that, Welcome to the forum. I'm certain if you start a new thread and ask your questions properly you'll get helpful answers.
