1979 C3 missing emissions systems
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 52
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From: Arlington Massachusetts
1979 C3 missing emissions systems
So I'm a newbie working on my first car, 1979 L82. I've had the thing for a while and I've been driving it around, it's had its share of problems. I only recently began to realize how much work has been done to this car and alot of it seems pretty half-assed. One this I noticed the other day is that basically all of the emissions systems have been removed and blocked off. The EGR valve is missing, the vacuum hoses on the dual snorkel intake were not connected, there's no AIR pump. It still has the catalytic converter but who knows if it Basically I was wanted some opinions on whether or not I should put all these missing components back on. I live in Massachusetts and I'm somewhat unclear on the laws and whether I'm emissions exempt or whatever.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,341
Likes: 101
So I'm a newbie working on my first car, 1979 L82. I've had the thing for a while and I've been driving it around, it's had its share of problems. I only recently began to realize how much work has been done to this car and alot of it seems pretty half-assed. One this I noticed the other day is that basically all of the emissions systems have been removed and blocked off. The EGR valve is missing, the vacuum hoses on the dual snorkel intake were not connected, there's no AIR pump. It still has the catalytic converter but who knows if it Basically I was wanted some opinions on whether or not I should put all these missing components back on. I live in Massachusetts and I'm somewhat unclear on the laws and whether I'm emissions exempt or whatever.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Assuming Mass is similar.....ditching a lot of that equipment makes a lot of sense. 1979 was in the heart of the "shoot first ask questions later" era of make 'em run cleaner and worry about how to make power later. No good reason to spend money putting it all back in place if you don't have to......that money would be better spent MAKING more power than attempting to get back to a Federal Law mandated pathetic weak HP number.
Last edited by Krystal; Dec 11, 2017 at 09:36 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,341
Likes: 101
There is a LOT TO LIKE about a '79 Corvette. It's a BLANK SLATE for anything you want to do with it.
There is NO VALUE ADDED for originality under the hood of a '75-'80 emmisions era car. Genrally speaking inexpensive to buy and a boat load of after market parts makes this a great project car for just about anything you might want to do with it.
The only BIG CAVEAT before starting though..... are those State emmisions rules at inspection time.
GOOD LUCK with what-ever you do......I've owned my '79 since it was new........purchased in 1980 as a left over on the lot at the time.......at this point all these years later.....there isn't much I haven't had to do to the car at some point and now on it's 3rd engine, as of a couple of months ago......the car has seen too many upgrades and changes to list in this one post.....PM me if you have any questions.......I've dealt with a lot of vendors over the years and I've upgraded and/or replaced a whole lot of "original" in the car over the 37 years I've owned it.
There is NO VALUE ADDED for originality under the hood of a '75-'80 emmisions era car. Genrally speaking inexpensive to buy and a boat load of after market parts makes this a great project car for just about anything you might want to do with it.
The only BIG CAVEAT before starting though..... are those State emmisions rules at inspection time.
GOOD LUCK with what-ever you do......I've owned my '79 since it was new........purchased in 1980 as a left over on the lot at the time.......at this point all these years later.....there isn't much I haven't had to do to the car at some point and now on it's 3rd engine, as of a couple of months ago......the car has seen too many upgrades and changes to list in this one post.....PM me if you have any questions.......I've dealt with a lot of vendors over the years and I've upgraded and/or replaced a whole lot of "original" in the car over the 37 years I've owned it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 332
From: Woodinville WA
I have a 1979 L82 that I just took all the emissions stuff off of; if you end up wanting it, I've got an AIR pump with the pulley and bracket, & cast manifolds, but obviously, you can't have my snorkel's vacuum line. ;-)
In my state, the smog stuff isn't required and I'd far rather have it gone; the cats were taken off the car in 1980, so it was time for the rest of it to go when the headers went on.
Adam
In my state, the smog stuff isn't required and I'd far rather have it gone; the cats were taken off the car in 1980, so it was time for the rest of it to go when the headers went on.
Adam
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,341
Likes: 101
........ The L82 you have now......if it's in good enough shape to justify the parts without a complete "pull and replace" or "rebuild".......once you have decided to abandon the emissions stuff.......can be awakened quite a bit to the tune of a pretty easy 100HP improvement over where it started life.A set of Vortec or after market heads with smaller combustion chambers and WAY BETTER FLOW than those emission era heads, bigger cam, aluminum intake and a decent set of headers and dual exhaust........won't require you to completely drain a wallet of cash or require you to park your car as you wait for the return of an engine set out to be rebuilt.
Last edited by Krystal; Dec 12, 2017 at 08:36 AM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 854
Likes: 7
From: dudley ma
I am in Mass also....correct to say 25 yrs and older cars do not need smog just safety. But all smog equipment that came from the factory still needs to be on the car if they want to do a visual. Cats,air pump etc.
That being said all of mine has been removed from the '78'. Never had anyone during inspection bring it up. I did read an article recently stating Ma. was going to add more cameras to the inspection stations. This way more eyes on the stations while doing the inspections.....we shall see.
That being said all of mine has been removed from the '78'. Never had anyone during inspection bring it up. I did read an article recently stating Ma. was going to add more cameras to the inspection stations. This way more eyes on the stations while doing the inspections.....we shall see.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Boston MA
So I'm a newbie working on my first car, 1979 L82. I've had the thing for a while and I've been driving it around, it's had its share of problems. I only recently began to realize how much work has been done to this car and alot of it seems pretty half-assed. One this I noticed the other day is that basically all of the emissions systems have been removed and blocked off. The EGR valve is missing, the vacuum hoses on the dual snorkel intake were not connected, there's no AIR pump. It still has the catalytic converter but who knows if it Basically I was wanted some opinions on whether or not I should put all these missing components back on. I live in Massachusetts and I'm somewhat unclear on the laws and whether I'm emissions exempt or whatever.
Thanks!
Thanks!