C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Why do I need my air pump?????????

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Old Apr 29, 2002 | 07:56 PM
  #1  
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Default Why do I need my air pump?????????

Can I justy get rid of everything??????????

Any problems in doing this?????????????????
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Old Apr 29, 2002 | 08:01 PM
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Default Re: Why do I need my air pump????????? (mackeyred96)

I would like to know also?!?!? Do we need this junk :smash:
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Old Apr 29, 2002 | 08:05 PM
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Default Re: Why do I need my air pump????????? (mackeyred96)

Almost all of my LT1 friends have removed the air pump and the rest of the emissions garb. No problems thus far.
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Old Apr 29, 2002 | 08:06 PM
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Default Re: Why do I need my air pump????????? (LPDesRoche)

John...

Bag it. I think with a small cat...even without the pump you'd pass NJ Smog.

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Old Apr 29, 2002 | 08:17 PM
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Default Re: Why do I need my air pump????????? (mackeyred96)

Only does two things, and maybe only one on a 96. The first function is to "afterburn" unburnt fuel in the exhaust manifolds when the engine is cold. This has no effect on measured emissions, which are done with a fully warmed up engine. [edit] Some raw gas from cold engine may reduce the life of the cat converters, don't know how much.

Second function on some cars is to provide a source of Oxygen to the cat converters (if a "three way") cat. This improves the reduction of HC and CO in the second stage of the cat where little oxygen is available, it also increases the temperature some.

The cat function is the only thing I think will make a difference. How much I don't know. I also think that the life of the cat may be reduced by some amount (may be alot, may be a little). If the 96 cats don't have an air tube going in the middle this is a non-issue and ecm insures sufficient O2 to burn the emissions and other means are used to reduce NOx rather than the first stage of a "three way" cat.


[Modified by PeteL, 7:19 PM 4/29/2002]
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Old Apr 29, 2002 | 08:20 PM
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Default Re: Why do I need my air pump????????? (PeteL)

where can you get plugs for that stuff in the exhaust system? Dont they make all that emissions crap in nonstandard sizes?
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Old Apr 29, 2002 | 08:28 PM
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Default Re: Why do I need my air pump????????? (mackeyred96)

I plan to do the same next month when I add a set of long tubes. I will also be ditching the cats. Will this set any SES codes (OBDI)?
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Old Apr 29, 2002 | 08:37 PM
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Default Re: Why do I need my air pump????????? (ZBRA)

GM has issued a TSB for the LT1 in the Impala/Caprice/Fleetwood/Roadmonster that eliminates the AIR pump and reprograms the PCM to ignore the lack of AIR pump relay. Since the AIR system and the cats are the same on the Vette, I'd expect it's fine on the Vette too.

John, pull the pump and the system and have someone reprogram your PCM to ignore the check for the AIR pump relay.

Eric
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Old Apr 29, 2002 | 08:42 PM
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Default Re: Why do I need my air pump????????? (silver & red CE)

do you need a AIR eliminater kit, or can you just put a shorter belt on? if so, what length? I can't wait to get rid of my pump, but they are really proud of the kits.
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Old Apr 29, 2002 | 08:44 PM
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Default Re: Why do I need my air pump????????? (ZBRA)

zbra,

I run longtubes and no cats, no codes! You can even unplug the 3rd o2 sensor completely its a dummy sensor on 94's.

I am not sure about the plugs I am sure someone has done this. I use to just go to the hardware store and buy an assortment of ones that looked close on my older cars. Always got lucky then returned the unused ones.
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Old Apr 29, 2002 | 09:05 PM
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Default Re: Why do I need my air pump????????? (x_streme)

do you need a AIR eliminater kit, or can you just put a shorter belt on? if so, what length? I can't wait to get rid of my pump, but they are really proud of the kits.
You have an L98, it has a mechanical AIR pump (belt driven). The LT1/4 motors have an electric AIR pump, much cheaper to eliminate. I'm pretty sure you need the eliminator kit, but I could be wrong..
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Old Apr 29, 2002 | 09:13 PM
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Default Re: Why do I need my air pump????????? (silver & red CE)

I am 99% sure on a l98 you have to get the kit. I tried forever on my 91 z28 to go with a shorter belt with no luck. Did it right in the parking lot of Western Auto. Kept going back and forth, none worked! They did this on purpose I am sure.
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Old Apr 30, 2002 | 12:17 PM
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Default Re: Why do I need my air pump????????? (mackeyred96)

:cool: Thanks
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Old Apr 30, 2002 | 12:42 PM
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Default Re: Why do I need my air pump????????? (mackeyred96)

Unplug it for a while and see what happens. I did have mine unplugged and always got an intermittent SES light that would go out after 20-30secs. Nosed around the engine area and found the air pump unplugged. Plugged it back in and SES light have never reappeared. No codes would be set in this condition either. The ECM change will be coming and then it will be unplugged/removed. :seeya
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Old Apr 30, 2002 | 09:06 PM
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Default Re: Why do I need my air pump????????? (mackeyred96)

:confused:
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Old Apr 30, 2002 | 09:14 PM
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Default Re: Why do I need my air pump????????? (mackeyred96)

96 might throw a code. I know my 92 doesn't care. I got rid of everything emissions related and haven't had the first problem. I did already have an Ed Wright chip before I ever unplugged it.

The 95 F-bodies had a recall on the AIR pump, it would blow a fuse and obviously stop working. People usually just left them not working, but these cars do seem to be notorious for clogged cats. Could be related.


[Modified by Nathan Plemons, 7:15 PM 4/30/2002]
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Old May 1, 2002 | 06:25 AM
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Default Re: Why do I need my air pump????????? (mackeyred96)

What about the L-98 cars? Can you use a shorter belt, or do you need an eliminator kit? Does anyone make these besides Breathless Performance Products?
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Old May 1, 2002 | 10:05 AM
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Default Re: Why do I need my air pump????????? (Nathan Plemons)

no problem on 95 or 96 or 94.. the function wa sstated above somehwere, if your running long tube headers, the efficiency of the airpump is about nill with shorties or stock manifold the air is introduced at the collector where all the unburnt or escaped fuel would be further thinned and atomized to pass through the cat leaving minimal residue.. one thing also you may notice is small popping sounds from the exhaust under deceleration in gear the famous.. pop..pop..pop..pop as you let of the gas.. this increases with no Converters, and is quite noticeable with the LT headers. all in all I remove them for ease of engine working.. seriously cleans the bay up and makes plug changes and variou other operations much simpler and less frustrating! good luck Mackey!

Chris
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Old May 1, 2002 | 10:29 AM
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Default Re: Why do I need my air pump????????? (lcvette)

one thing also you may notice is small popping sounds from the exhaust under deceleration in gear the famous.. pop..pop..pop..pop as you let of the gas.. this increases with no Converters, and is quite noticeable with the LT headers.
:yesnod: At first I didn't like it, but I've learned to love it. What I like is the let off the dyno at 6300 rpms and have it throw a 4 foot flame out of your tailpipe. I did it, really I did!! The problem is that the guy with the video camera turned away right before it happened :smash: :smash: :smash: :smash:

Everybody said it was really cool, too bad I didn't see it. :(
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