Check engine light
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: High Desert California
Check engine light
Hi, i'm new here but had my 81 for about 15 years. I'm planning to install headers on the car and doing away with the smog equipment. What do I do with the oxygen sensor? When this is off, the check engine light goes on? Any assistance is valuable. Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
No reason to kill the O2 sensor just for headers. get a bung welded on for the sensor and use it. The stock system uses only 1 on the drivers side so do the same thing. The check engine light does more than tell you the O2 sensor is not working. The O2 sensor also tells the computer how to balance air/fuel ratio on an 81, without it you will be either rich or lean at low speed.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,921
Likes: 2
From: York PA
Disconnecting the smog pump is no big deal, but if you are going to run headers you should put a heated 02 sensor in your collector. Another option is to ditch the ECM, Carb, and Distributor. Although the car will run without the O2 sensor your fuel mixture and probably the timing will be off. Also check into your local emissions laws to make sure you can make these mods. Do a search on E4ME or '81 and you will find a lot of threads about the '81's unique setup. 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: High Desert California
Check engine light
Thanks to all that replied. I realized I might encounter more problems I'm so used to the old school setups and forgot the fact that I'm dealing with an 81. I will be discarding the intake and install a torkerll and Carter AFB. The block was bored .30 and I have a cam and lifter kit (comp 284H). I'll be using hookers ceramic coated super comp headers without the provision for theO2 sensor. Thanks as well for the reminder, (hits head) I forgot the car does have a computer........duh... I want to do this right but i guess I'm in for a surprise.......lol. PLease help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 0
From: Madison Ms
No biggie.........remove all smog, remove computer (*important: leave all wires), and get busy!! Just take a few pics so you can put it back together correctly, but the puter HAS to come out with those changes you mentioned, then you don't need the O2 sensor. (or a few other sensors for that matter). If you plan on changing the carb, then you have to change remove the puter, then you HAVE to change the distrib. to a pre 80 type distrib. Get busy, we are here to help ya in a bind!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: High Desert California
Many thanks to yall!!!!! Will update you and hope you don't mind, will bug you if needed for more tips in doing this setup right. By the way, I wanted to post a pic of my car but don't know how or i'm not allowed. Either way, if I was allowed, still don't know how...........LOL
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: High Desert California
MsVette Man,
I thought of all that you mentioned last night while in bed and thought, if I were to pull the puter out and change the distributor (which I ordered right away after reading your post) Do I use the same wires? Especially the one that connects to the distributor? (HEI) You mentioned to leave all the wiring intact, which do I use and which are to be ignored? Please help, thank you.
I thought of all that you mentioned last night while in bed and thought, if I were to pull the puter out and change the distributor (which I ordered right away after reading your post) Do I use the same wires? Especially the one that connects to the distributor? (HEI) You mentioned to leave all the wiring intact, which do I use and which are to be ignored? Please help, thank you.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,921
Likes: 2
From: York PA
Originally Posted by 81cali
MsVette Man,
I thought of all that you mentioned last night while in bed and thought, if I were to pull the puter out and change the distributor (which I ordered right away after reading your post) Do I use the same wires? Especially the one that connects to the distributor? (HEI) You mentioned to leave all the wiring intact, which do I use and which are to be ignored? Please help, thank you.
I thought of all that you mentioned last night while in bed and thought, if I were to pull the puter out and change the distributor (which I ordered right away after reading your post) Do I use the same wires? Especially the one that connects to the distributor? (HEI) You mentioned to leave all the wiring intact, which do I use and which are to be ignored? Please help, thank you.
You will need to find a vacuum source for the distributor. Lots of info about setting up the advance on the forum.
Last edited by stickboy; Mar 1, 2006 at 04:09 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by 81cali
Thanks to all that replied. I realized I might encounter more problems I'm so used to the old school setups and forgot the fact that I'm dealing with an 81. I will be discarding the intake and install a torkerll and Carter AFB. The block was bored .30 and I have a cam and lifter kit (comp 284H). I'll be using hookers ceramic coated super comp headers without the provision for theO2 sensor. Thanks as well for the reminder, (hits head) I forgot the car does have a computer........duh... I want to do this right but i guess I'm in for a surprise.......lol. PLease help.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 581
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach Florida
I have an 81 and I installed a edelbrock manifold and carb,and a new HEI distributer with a vacuum advance then I removed all the emmision controls under the hood.. I disconnected the check engine light. just one thing when you remove all that junk you are going to have to install a switch to lock up the torque converter if you have an auto tranny.. PS. no emission laws in Florida..
Please elaborate, so what do I do????
Never heard of such a thing! 