My 1980 seems to be lacking an A.I.R. system as well as the belt track on the main pulley. Did all C3s come with an A.I.R. system? It seems like all the literature I read talks about them all having it. :crazy:

 

Not all C3s did, but many did. All 1980s, 1973s, 1968s, 1975s(maybe '69s) did though. Many L-48 automatic cars '76-'79 did'nt, some four speeds maybe. Most, if not all L-82 cars had it. Other engine/trans combos varied whether it did or did not come with A.I.R.

 

My 1980 L-48 with Automatic and A/C has A.I.R.
The pulley on mine is a add on pulley to the water pump. It is a separate single grove pulley that goes between the fan clutch and the 2 pulley fan.

 

Paul is correct 1980s were equipped while the L-48 in 78 and 79 were not. L-82s and CA cars had A.I.R.

 

Sorry for what I'm sure is a silly question, but what exactly is an A.I.R. system? What does the acronym stand for? :confused:

 

Air Injection Reactor - the famous air pump that injects fresh air into the exhaust manifold to help burn any unburnt fuel.

tom...

 

Thanks, Tom :)

So does A.I.R. serve any other function than preventing a stream of gasoline flowing from your exhaust pipes and thus causing general ridicule when being chased by ricers? ;)

Any other reasons why you might want to have A.I.R.? I guess I must've had one, because I own a '73, but don't know if it'll still be there after the engine swap that is now in progress.

Regards,
Arto

 

The A.I.R. help complete the combustion process. It help keep the combustion of unburnt gases going once they enter the exhaust manifold. It does help the emissions. It is removed off of my 73 454 and you cannot run the car in the garage, even with all doors open, as the fumes are too much. Removing it helps clean up the engine compartment somewhat. That pump only takes a couple of HP to drive so don't expect any real HP gain by removing it. (Chevy used the pump on all its high performance engines; LT1, L82, etc; because it did draw less power then the other emission systems.

By the way, all 73's came with A.I.R.

tom...

 

My 71 350/270 doesn't have A.I.R., it was originally an auto but has been converted to a M22 4spd... Good luck on your quest. :cool:

 

1971 350/270 did not come equipped with the AIR System or Air Injection Reactor emission control system. Others included 1970 300, 350 and 390; 1972 base 200 hp and the 1970 365 hp motors.

The AIR system introduces compressed squirts of O2 (oxygen) into the exhaust system to help burn the unburned portion of exhaust gases...minimizing exhaust emissions, primarily carbon monoxide...same stuff cigarette smoke is made of. What's important is that these systems are calibrated, or should I say the carb and distributor are calibrated to the AIR system. As somewhat said...the hp drain is minimal perhaps 2 hp!

Now the diverter valve works when the AIR systems doesn't such as increased manifold vacuum or deceleration which prevents backfiring (I think that's the way it work).

Keep in mind today's cars have eliminated over 90% of all emissions (exhaust, fuel and crankcase) through technology which yields great hp gains and emission control. However, our C3s were the guinea pigs and until 81, the 70s passenger cars were all prototypes for emission control. As I understand it, when catalytic converters were introduced in 75, it allowed for less monkeying with carb, distributor or vacuum controls.

So you might say that those high hp motors in the 70s had a downside which means they were burdened with more emisson equipment but they had pretty valve covers and a painted aluminum intake manifold!

 

My '77 L48 does not have it. My manual even says that it shouldn't. But the L-82 cars do.

 

Here is a listing of Vettes that did use the A.I.R. system:

A.I.R. use on Corvettes:
1966-California-delivered Corvettes, except for the L-72,
1967- All California delivered Corvettes
1968/1969-All Corvettes had the system installed regardless of engine, transmission, or where delivered.
1970-LT1 Corvette (others used the CCS or Controlled Combustion System for emissions control)
1971-LT1 and LS6
1972-All Corvettes except "CKW" and "CKX" coded L-48s.
1973/1975-All Corvettes except 1974 L48 automatic with Federal emissions.
1976- California-certified Corvettes (others went to CCS)
1977-California and "High Altitude" cars
1978/1979 all California cars, "high altitude" and all L-82s used A.I.R. (L-82s were not available in California or "high altitude" areas during these years.)
1980/Current, all Corvettes used A.I.R.

tom...



[Modified by Tom73, 5:55 PM 2/6/2003]

 

My 1973 L-48 4 speed came with A.I.R., but it has been gone for a long time.

Chuck D

 

lol, its like a supercharger for your exhaust. I wonder how much boost there is. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

My '72 LT-1 originally came with it, but no longer has it. Good descriptions above on what it is/does.

I sometimes think about purchasing a used one to put it back on the car... :confused:

 

:lolg: :lolg:

So maybe if I get an A.I.R. system my car will make that cool rice rocket sound like it has a giant coffee can for a muffler. :D

 

For those in a quandry regarding whether to reinstall an AIR system when its known to have come equipped with one my view is that it is the socially responsbile thing to do in the 21st century. If you drive around...what difference does it make? You are a member of an elite sports car community and serve as our representative. Therefore, your vehicle should represents a hobby that has grown beyond a bunch of gearheads. It's one with distinction, class and style. Somehow emitting smelly stuff reminds of that faded, exhaust pipe hanging, rear deck full of McDonald rappers, dirtied window, that was also emitting black plumes.

Of course, if you put it back to the way it was with A.I.R., then you must be concerned with compatible carb and distributor settings. You may just want to start with checking codes to determine if still equipped with original carb, distributor, etc.

 

Here's a reprint of somehting someone posted here a few months ago with all the A.I.R detail year by year. He seemed to know what he was talking about:


Here is a listing that I compiled from various BBS discussions that may help somewhat.
1966 CA-delivered Corvettes, except for the L-72, used the A.I.R. (RPO K-19) system

1967 CA-delivered Corvettes, used the A.I.R. (RPO K-19) system.

1968 & 1969, ALL Corvettes used the A.I.R. system regardless of engine, transmission, or where delivered.

1970, Chevrolet went to the CCS (Controlled Combustion System) for emissions control on most Corvettes, except the LT-1s.

1971, Corvettes continued to use CCS (except LT-1s and LS-6s).

1972, A.I.R. system returned for most Corvettes except engines except L48s with the "CKW" and "CKX" code.

1973 - 1975, all Corvettes used A.I.R, except for the 1974 L48 with automatic and Federal emissions which used CCS.

1976, all Corvettes returned to CCS, except California-certified cars which used A.I.R.

1977, all Corvettes used CCS, except California and "High Altitude" delivered cars which used A.I.R.

1978 & 1979 all Corvettes used CCS, except California cars, "high altitude" and all L-82s which used A.I.R. L-82s were not available in California or "high altitude" areas during these years.

1980 - 1987, all Corvettes used A.I.R.

1988 - on, A.I.R. was used on most, if not all Corvettes, although many C4s use an electric air pump.


:chevy :chevy :chevy