What's An A.I.R Pump?
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
The AIR pump, sometimes called the SMOG pump is an emissiosn component of your car which technically should not be removed provided it is in good working order. It's purpose is to put clean air into your exhaust which helps the catalytic converters get up to operating temperature faster. It is not REQUIRED, just that it helps your cats start working faster, which probably prolongs their life a little bit.
If your catalytic converters are strangely missing like so many seem to be, you can remove the AIR pump because it is doing absolutely nothing. You might gain one or two horsepower from the drag you eliminate from the engine and it will certainly make the engine compartment look cleaner.
If your catalytic converters are strangely missing like so many seem to be, you can remove the AIR pump because it is doing absolutely nothing. You might gain one or two horsepower from the drag you eliminate from the engine and it will certainly make the engine compartment look cleaner.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 11,913
Likes: 0
From: Sin City
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
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There really is no NEED to remove it. I am removing mine on my L98 just to clean up the engine some and to make it easier to work on.
You should first double check with local emmissions testing requirements to see iif your car will pass without one
There really is no NEED to remove it. I am removing mine on my L98 just to clean up the engine some and to make it easier to work on.
You should first double check with local emmissions testing requirements to see iif your car will pass without one
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
A.I.R. Air Injection Reaction. The ONLY good reason to remove it is to clean up the engine compartment. It doesn't draw enough power to make a measurable difference. But the replacement pulley apparatus WILL make a substantial drain on your wallet. It sounds like you need to visit the HELMS web site, and pick up on a factory service manual.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
A.I.R. Air Injection Reaction. The ONLY good reason to remove it is to clean up the engine compartment. It doesn't draw enough power to make a measurable difference. But the replacement pulley apparatus WILL make a substantial drain on your wallet. It sounds like you need to visit the HELMS web site, and pick up on a factory service manual.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
"Let me check my manual."
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
It injects air into the headers at start up raising exhaust temps so the O2 can get get up temp faster. Late model Vettes then turn the pump off. Your '89, however, then diverts air to the converter which needs the extra oxygen to function properly. If you remove it, you should consider a heated O2.
