Got the 86 running and went through emissions only to find that the cat I had was gutted. The numbers looked like this:

HC=3.36, allowable=1.60
CO=21.12 allowable=15.00
NOx=3.55 allowable=2.50

This is all measured in grams/mile.

So given the above numbers I'm thinking a cat might not be enough. I went ahead and got a new cat and installed a new O2 sensor. This is after doing a complete tune up as well (cap, rotor, wires, so on...). Went back through emissions today and here are the new readings:

HC=0.51 Allowable=1.60
CO=2.21 Allowable=15.00
NOx=1.68 Allowable=2.50

The new numbers really kicked butt. I could detect a loss in torque though with the cat and it's supposed to be a high efficiency low restriction unit. The new cat and O2 sensor really made a world of diffence. I'm not sure how much the O2 sensor had to do with it on it's own but it seems to idle smoother. So, I bought two years worth of registration so I wont have to worry about it for a while. I may take off the new cat and put the old one back on. (F' the EPA anyway) I don't drive it enough to single handly destroy the ecosystem. I hope this little saga helps those who are having the same problem. Now I'm waiting for my window lift conversion units.

 

Same thing happened to my high flow CAT from TPIS. Right after new engine and headers and CAT, I sailed though Emmisions test. Then 2 years later, I failed almost exactly like you did. Tonys corvette in MD looked the car over, and put a new cat on and it passed with flying colors again. Apparently I was running the car too rich with new engine and burnt out the honeycomb in the CAT. I have old CAT, and have been considering same as you. :iagree:

 

Well Done. I'll be getting my 86 inspected in a couple months, so we'll see what happens. :thumbs:

 

:cool: :cheers:

 

NOX is usually EGR related. My '84 passes with no cat. After you put the old cat back on to save the new one, can you get it rechecked? I'm betting it was mostly the O2 sensor that brought it into line. Good luck, and...

RACE ON!!!

 

:hurray:
And one for me because I don't have inspections :hurray:
:cheers:

 

:mad :mad :mad :mad :mad :mad :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant:

 

No need to get mad Gary.......... Just move :jester
:cheers:

 

:nopity

 

Must be nice :mad :jester But then again, I don't have to deal with snow. :jester

 

Yeah.... fricken white crap!

I would rater deal with emission testing every year then deal with snow every day for 6 months out of 12 and have to park my Vette away every year.
It breaks my heart every time :cry, but it does keep the milage low. My car is an 88 with only 56 000 Miles on it.

I have the stock Cat on my car and was considering changing it this summer.
In my case it will probably help in performance and emissions since its the original one on the car, plus one of my pre cats broke last year (I had them both gutted) I'm afraid some crap from the pre cat might of partially clogged the main cat.


[Modified by TheStef, 6:25 AM 2/28/2004]


[Modified by TheStef, 6:26 AM 2/28/2004]

 

My car failed for high CO. I replaced the thermostat because it was only getting up to about 145 and the O2 sensor also, tested it again yesterday and I passed!!! Good for 2 years!