For those that know me, or at least my signature, know that I have been working on a ZZ4 swap project for my Red 1980. I won't kill you with all the details as they are listed at My ZZ4 Swap Project .

Anyway. Before, during and after my motor swap I have heard the following comments. Some from this forum, some from other forums, and some from people I meet at car shows.

"Can you get a ZZ4 to pass emissions?"
"Won't it be really hard to get that through emissions?"
"Good luck getting you plates next year!"

and my favorite:

"A ZZ4 will not pass emissions in Arizona, EVER!!"

Well, I believe any car with all the correct parts can pass emissions. I always have and always will. It is just a matter of good parts, good matenance, and proper tunning.

So, I swapped in the motor in Mid-October, and plates were due in November. To pass in my state I must have the A.I.R. system installed, evaporative system in place (canister) and the E.G.R. installed. On the ZZ4 motor the intake has a place for the E.G.R., but since there is no exhaust cross over ports in the cylinder heads, it will not work. Basically the E.G.R. is a "hood ornament" for my engine.

Well in November it went in. Here were the numbers:

Loaded HC (hydrocarbons) Standard: 220 ---- I did a 472 !! BIG fail.
Loaded CO (carbon monoxide) Standard: 1.20 - I did a 00.09. Pass.
Idle HC: Standard: 220 ---- I did 99. Pass.
Idle CO: Standard: 1.20 ---- I did 00.00. Pass.

Well, the 472 on the hydrocarbons, and the really crappy idle, was traced to a broken spark plug on the #8 cylinder.

Try # 2:
Loaded HC: Standard: 220 ---- I did a 121 !! Yeah, it passed !!.
Loaded CO: Standard: 1.20 - I did a 2.59. WTF??!!?? I passed this one before with a 00.09????.
Idle HC: Standard: 220 ---- I did 127. Pass, but up from last time.
Idle CO: Standard: 1.20 ---- I did 00.85. Pass, but again, higher than last time.

Found a lot of the problems to be in the carb. Incorrect float level, secondary air valves opening way too soon, needles not sitting low enough in jets at cruise, and really worn throttle shaft bushings. I had the bushings replace professionally, as I had no way to do it. Once that was done, DesertDawg and myself rebuilt the carb (with lots of help from Lars over the phone (thanks man!! Beer is on me next time I am in Denver) and installed it.
I set the idle mixture using a vacuum gage, going for the best reading.

Today was the 3rd test, if I fail this one my wife said the car would have to go, or the old motor would have to go back in :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: !!

3rd try:
Loaded HC Standard: 220 ---- I did a 48 !! BIG PASS!!
Loaded CO Standard: 1.20 - I did a 00.01!! BIG PASS!!
Idle HC: Standard: 220 ---- I did 27!! BIG PASS!!
Idle CO: Standard: 1.20 ---- I did 00.00 !! And another BIG PASS!!!

So, to the jerk that said "A ZZ4 will not pass emissions in Arizona, ever!!"

I say to you, a big loud [/i]"UP YOURS BUDDY!!"[/i] :p: :p: :p: :nono: :nono: :seeya :seeya :p: :p: :p:



[Modified by BSeery, 11:30 AM 1/12/2002]

 

Congratulations Brian :cheers:
Sounds like a BIG success.

Wonder what the temperature is in HELL today? :jester

 

Awesome! That's the news I've been wanting to hear.

Matt

 

Big Congratulations! I never lost faith. :cool: I'm looking forward to a similiar swap.

 

:cool:

good to hear! :cheers:

 

I hope I am so lucky when March comes around and I have to get insected. My emissions system is not quite as intact as yours.

 

I'm sure glad i don't have to go through that crap, got to love Montana :)
No emissions testing, plus mine is pre-cat :D

 

That's really great news for us ! It's peoples determination like yours that helps pave the way for others to follow ;) .

 

Thanks a lot -- from all of you. Means a lot to me ...........

 

Excellent! :cheers:

 

Good work. I tried 3 times, failing all of them. Then just registered it out in the country :yesnod:

 

Great, I knew you would get it to pass!!!

I'm putting together a 427SB with 450+HP, and I am optimistic that I can tune it to pass the emissions test as well. I'm hoping to keep the electronic carb and distributor on the 81', but if I can't get the performance results I'm planning I'll change to a non-computer set-up.

So are you running the stock pipes and single cat, or dual cats? Headers?

Mark


[Modified by 81vette, 7:20 PM 1/12/2002]

 

A friend of mine in Utah had similar problems. He found a shop that dynotunes cars (mainly Chevy) and there was an inspection shop next door. He had his vette set up at the dynoshop but it wouldn't pass emissions so he went back to the dyno and asked what could be done to fix it.
The dynoshop guy said he would fix it but only if they used the inspection place next to him so that he could run it back and forth until it passed. No problem, go right ahead. Took a few tries but it finally passed. 81 with a ZZ4, headers, and undercar chambered exhaust - all of the exhaust is Jet Hot coated. $$$$$

 

Gameshow bob, the only way you are going to pass in Plano is to move to McKinney. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

exellent dude!! Damn those smog ***** anyway. I had to fight to get mine through. I've learned a few tricks over the years and it gets easier each time. So, when you gonna bring it out to speed world to get your slip?

 

Way to go dude! I got the same BS from people when I was doing the 383 swap in my Camaro. I was like "It's a 68 for cryin out loud". It passes AZ emissions better than my sister's 92 Blazer. I can't wait until AZ adopts a sensible emissions law someday. My cars wouldn't have to go through emissions even in Kalifornicastan.

 

Aw, and I was ready to ask for that ZZ4 :(

Sounds like it just needed a little fine tuning. :yesnod:

 

Glad to here you passed! I live in AZ also but I live in Pinal County and there is no Emission test required :D

 

Way to go, Bryan! Damn those stupid smog *****!

I'm here daydreaming, contemplating the idea of moving to AZ (if I get a job offer, of course), and the idea of having my car sniffed kinda freezes my spine.... On the other hand, if my car doesn't pass then there must be something wrong, and if there's something wrong with it, then I wanna know and fix it.... Anyway, it's all for the good... I guess....

-Pedro

 

Way to go Brian!!!! I've followed your project. You've done a knock out job. I agree with you totally on most anything can pass emissions after everything is properly adjusted and maintained. One thing to keep in mind for our fellow Corvette brotheren is that in all cases, and you hit on it, is to pay close attention to any used parts...especially the carb. A short story if you don't mind: A close friend of mine rebuilt a SB Chevy for his Chevelle. Of course, emissions wasen't much of a concern, but he was still required to pass Utah (Salt Lake City) emissions with it. Anyhow, he went quite radical with the rebuild, because he could, and he even passed for 1985 emission standards. Anyhow, nice work Bud. Now enjoy!!!

-Brad