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81' Smog Removal

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Old Jun 8, 2011 | 02:31 AM
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Default 81' Smog Removal

Anyone have a step by step smog removal instruction they could share with a novice ??
Getting stock exhaust removed and replacing with straight duals and MagnaFlow mufflers....
Planning on leaving O2 sensor, CCC intact but want to clean up the engine bay and remove the AIR pump and hoses etc....
Lots of info on the Forum...but no real detail as how to proceed with this ? I also want to save the parts so not looking for a Bubba job

Thanks in advance
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Old Jun 8, 2011 | 11:11 AM
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Without researching what effect removing that stuff will have on the computer control system, taking it off may not be a good idea. If the EGR valve is not crudded/locked up and the other stuff is functional, that emissions equipment does no harm to you...nor does it significantly impact engine performance/power. Find out what others with the '81 have done to remove the emissions stuff but keep the control system functional before you 'jump'.

Hey! I thought you Canadians were "green".?
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Old Jun 8, 2011 | 11:15 AM
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I would also be interested in this information if I decide to do this in the future
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Old Jun 8, 2011 | 11:28 AM
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My 81 was bone stock when I bought it. first thing I did was remove the stock exhaust and put a corvette central dual system on it. For that, all I did was remove the fresh air tube going to the cat and plugged the hose at the pump, leaving the section of the pump that feeds air to the manifolds working.

if you want to completely remove the pump you will have to get plugs for the ports on the manifolds. if you just remove the hoses, I think a 5/8" rubber plug will fit on the reed valve.

later on I installed headers, this is when I fully removed the pump.

To remove the pump, I just loosened and removed the belt, unplugged the 2 connectors for the sensors, removed the vacuum lines and unbolted the pump. I capped off the vacuum tees that the lines plugged into. I also removed the heat riser when the headers went on.

I still have the pump bracket on the engine. its mounted to the right side of the water pump and one intake bolt. I also still have the vacuum valve in my thermostat housing too. The next thing I do that concerns draining the coolant I will remove that stuff.

the only thing i wont be able to remove is the wiring harness for the pump. I think its part of the whole computer harness, although with the pump unplugged, you wont get any check engine light
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Old Jun 9, 2011 | 07:31 AM
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Bump
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Old Jun 9, 2011 | 03:31 PM
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Originally Posted by qwank
My 81 was bone stock when I bought it. first thing I did was remove the stock exhaust and put a corvette central dual system on it. For that, all I did was remove the fresh air tube going to the cat and plugged the hose at the pump, leaving the section of the pump that feeds air to the manifolds working.

if you want to completely remove the pump you will have to get plugs for the ports on the manifolds. if you just remove the hoses, I think a 5/8" rubber plug will fit on the reed valve.

later on I installed headers, this is when I fully removed the pump.

To remove the pump, I just loosened and removed the belt, unplugged the 2 connectors for the sensors, removed the vacuum lines and unbolted the pump. I capped off the vacuum tees that the lines plugged into. I also removed the heat riser when the headers went on.

I still have the pump bracket on the engine. its mounted to the right side of the water pump and one intake bolt. I also still have the vacuum valve in my thermostat housing too. The next thing I do that concerns draining the coolant I will remove that stuff.

the only thing i wont be able to remove is the wiring harness for the pump. I think its part of the whole computer harness, although with the pump unplugged, you wont get any check engine light
Thanks for this....sounds like the exact same thing I am trying to do

Last edited by mauiwilly; Jun 9, 2011 at 03:38 PM. Reason: question answered
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Old Jun 9, 2011 | 03:33 PM
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Originally Posted by 7T1vette
Without researching what effect removing that stuff will have on the computer control system, taking it off may not be a good idea. If the EGR valve is not crudded/locked up and the other stuff is functional, that emissions equipment does no harm to you...nor does it significantly impact engine performance/power. Find out what others with the '81 have done to remove the emissions stuff but keep the control system functional before you 'jump'.

Hey! I thought you Canadians were "green".?
Not here 7T1vette....I'm in Oil country !!
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Old Jun 9, 2011 | 04:19 PM
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Originally Posted by mauiwilly
Anyone have a step by step smog removal instruction they could share with a novice ??
Getting stock exhaust removed and replacing with straight duals and MagnaFlow mufflers....
Planning on leaving O2 sensor, CCC intact but want to clean up the engine bay and remove the AIR pump and hoses etc....
Lots of info on the Forum...but no real detail as how to proceed with this ? I also want to save the parts so not looking for a Bubba job

Thanks in advance
Ok good, I was going to suggest saving all that stuff when you take it off.
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