Air tube needed?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 655
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Air tube needed?
Hey I hear of many people on the forum removing the air tube on there cars when installing headers. I have a 03 Z. What is the air tubes purpose? If you remove it do you need it tuned out? Is there one on the passenger side and drivers side? Can both be removed? Is it worth removing them? Also, when adding long tubes did you guys replace the spark plug wires? If so what are the best ones to replace the stock spark plug wires with? Thanks, hopefullly these questions are too stupid. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,088
Likes: 61
From: NY- 2013 Corvette Challenge Champion-2013 Index Combo Champion 2015 CC/MM Champion
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by C6this
Hey I hear of many people on the forum removing the air tube on there cars when installing headers. I have a 03 Z. What is the air tubes purpose? If you remove it do you need it tuned out? Is there one on the passenger side and drivers side? Can both be removed? Is it worth removing them? Also, when adding long tubes did you guys replace the spark plug wires? If so what are the best ones to replace the stock spark plug wires with? Thanks, hopefullly these questions are too stupid.
...................Paul
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,869
Likes: 61
From: montreal quebec
do u have to plug anything after removing the air tubes or just leave everthing open.....i am swapping out the intake manifold to a ls6 intake ....do the air tubes connect behind the intake???should i do anything special??
thanks
thanks
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by c5mtl
do u have to plug anything after removing the air tubes or just leave everthing open.....i am swapping out the intake manifold to a ls6 intake ....do the air tubes connect behind the intake???should i do anything special??
thanks
thanks
BTW, since you will have the intake manifold off for the install, that would be the perfect time to change the check-valve that's located behind the manifold too. The other one (there are two) is easy to get to and can be easily changed out anytime, if needed. The check-valve is cheap too. HTH
BTW, I like Magnecore plug wires.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by c5mtl
does anyone know the part number???and what is the check valve
One is on the driver's side and is part of the piping that bolts to the exhaust manifold. It has a black rubber tube on one side that is clamped with a black plastic clamp. The rubber tube goes to the A.I.R. pump as does a hose from the other check valve located behind the intake manifold as well. The check valves just ensure that no exhaust gasses can flow back through the tubing and to the electric pump while the engine is running. The electric pump pumps air into each exhaust manifold during start-up while the engine is still cold. Once the engine warms up the air pump shuts off, and the check valves prevent exhaust gasses from flowing the opposite way. When/if the check valves fail (usually due to corrosion, with age), exhaust gasses can flow into the electric air pump and damage it or destroy it. There will be DTC codes generated and the vehicle will fail any emissions testing.
Despite the fact that these two check valves are not expensive items themselves, the one located behind the intake manifold can only be changed by first removing the intake manifold. HTH
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