454 air injection question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: White Plains MD
454 air injection question
Can someone educate me on the purpose of the air injection on a 454. What would happen in I just threw the pump away and plugged the holes on exhaust manifold (or buy new headers 
). How would this affect the performance/ / emisions..
Just curious
Thanks
). How would this affect the performance/ / emisions..Just curious
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
The affect on performance is minimal, basically you gain back the parasitic loss of the pump. Other than that, not much change.
If you decide to do that, throw them my way. You see, my engine already looks the way you are describing. No pump, holes in exhaust mainfolds plugged with bolts.
I'm going to go one of two ways, either put it all back or replace the manifolds with a pair that weren't drilled to start with.
cc
If you decide to do that, throw them my way. You see, my engine already looks the way you are describing. No pump, holes in exhaust mainfolds plugged with bolts.
I'm going to go one of two ways, either put it all back or replace the manifolds with a pair that weren't drilled to start with.
cc
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: White Plains MD
I'll keep you in mind if I decide to chuck it. Do you have any idea what this system really does? I guess it channels cold air into the exhaust, but a rust hole could do the same...?..
Thanks for replying have a good evening.
Thanks for replying have a good evening.
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 112
Likes: 1
From: Chadds Ford PA
The system is designed to pump air into the exhaust to more effectively burn the left over gas fumes that did not burn during combustion. All of the air will burn during combustion, but not all of the gas. The concept is to add more air while the exhaust is hot enough to burn up the fumes. It is designed to make your exhaust cleaner.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: White Plains MD
Thanks tlynam,
So...(thinking out loud) if the fuel injection or carb is properly tuned, then there would be no benefit to the air pump. Assuming the catalytic converter is funtioning properly. ??? To clear up my initial question: Would removing the air pump make a drastic change in the emissions? -assuming proper tunning-
So...(thinking out loud) if the fuel injection or carb is properly tuned, then there would be no benefit to the air pump. Assuming the catalytic converter is funtioning properly. ??? To clear up my initial question: Would removing the air pump make a drastic change in the emissions? -assuming proper tunning-
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 1
From: AL
what year vette?
last 454 was in 74 or 75? --- no fuel injection.
removing air pump will change (increase) certain emissions; excess air pumped into exhaust is meant to cause more complete combustion before leaving tailpipe, except for high vacuum like letting off gas pedal to prevent backfire in exhaust.
changing tune can help. if you are worried about air pollution or passing inspection, keep the factory system, or install a better system
last 454 was in 74 or 75? --- no fuel injection.
removing air pump will change (increase) certain emissions; excess air pumped into exhaust is meant to cause more complete combustion before leaving tailpipe, except for high vacuum like letting off gas pedal to prevent backfire in exhaust.
changing tune can help. if you are worried about air pollution or passing inspection, keep the factory system, or install a better system
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: White Plains MD
S489,
Engine is not on my vette, I was mentally exploring different engine choices. I was looking at the BB in my 88 truck and wondering... And just in case some one asks..no I'm not pulling the truck engine to be used on my 76.
I just saw the pump, air tubes, assosiated hardware, and wanted to know how it worked. I don't know if my 76 originally came with an airpump. I got the car with headers already intalled.
Engine is not on my vette, I was mentally exploring different engine choices. I was looking at the BB in my 88 truck and wondering... And just in case some one asks..no I'm not pulling the truck engine to be used on my 76.
I just saw the pump, air tubes, assosiated hardware, and wanted to know how it worked. I don't know if my 76 originally came with an airpump. I got the car with headers already intalled.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
As stated above the AIR pump is there to push fresh air into the exhaust stream to keep it burning going into the cat, on some vehicles there is a pipe directy on the cat also, same purpose to burn off more hydrocarbons. You can run a hy flow cat that does not need the air tube and dump the pump, but you will have a somewhat higher hydrocarbon number than with the pump. A properly tuned carb or FI will help, but the issue is unburned fuel and hydrocarbon emmisions which come from an inefecient combustion chamber. So its a bunch of compromises.
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Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 709
Likes: 1
From: Lakewood Colorado
One purpose of the air injection system is to pass emissions inspection. Depending on the year they are a joke but are required to be present on the vehicle to pass emissions testing in cities where emissions testing is requred. Thats the case here in CO and I believe CA.
They are a waste of HP, and good engine space IMHO, but don't pitch it just yet. You may need it later.
They are a waste of HP, and good engine space IMHO, but don't pitch it just yet. You may need it later.