Hi Fellow C-3 owners,
Havn't been on lately,been enjoying my 81 this summer. This winter I'll like to do a couple modifications.
1. If I remove the air pump, what can I run into that I should know about?
2. If seen at shows where some SB chevys have a dual left/right side air cleaner that mounts over the carb.in place of the stock air cleaner and air ducts. Does anyone know who makes this and will I run into challenges with air mixture or orginal set up?
I appreciate that help.
Thanks,
Roxy

My '78 runs fine without the air pump, but it was gone when I bought the car so I can't say if it needed any retuning from its removal. I did remove the rest of the EGR system and replaced the exhaust with a true dual exhaust and no catalytic converter...the car runs even better and cooler.

The air cleaner you describe sounds like the Holley...it's pretty pricey...over $200 from Sumit or Jegs. It does solve clearance problems if that what you have, otherwise it's just for looks.

took the air pump and tubes off my 79. no problem with the pump. getting the tubes out of the exhaust manifold was a pain. had problems with the two closest to the fire firewall. absolutely no room. used ss bolts to close the holes the tubes were screwed into. sorry don't remember the size. couldn't find them short enough so I brought them into my shop and had them cut down to about 1/2", if my memory serves me correctly. good luck.

Hi Hank,
Thanks for your help. What did you do with the cat?
Did you just plug the hose return?
Thanks,
Roxy

Hi Gunslinger,
Thanks for your reply. When you removed the EGR valve system did you plug off the hoses to stock air cleaner?
Or did you put after market air cleaner on?
Thanks,
Roxy

When I removed the EGR I replaced the entire intake manifold with an Edelbrock Performer. As far as the EGR hoses, I replaced the thermostat housing with one not made for the EFE vacuum control switch that threads into the stock thermostat housing, and removed the EFE actuator on the right side of the engine. If I remember, that takes care of any vacuum lines and I kept the stock air cleaner. I don't believe I had to redirect or block off any other vacuum fittings.

The AIR pump has nothing to do with the way the car runs. It is only there to clean up emissions that have already left the engine. Removing it hurts nothing except the air quality.

When the engine is cold, it blows air into the hot exhaust manifolds to all oxygen to a fuel rich exhaust. This burns the left over fuel. It also helps heat the manifolds and in turn, warm up the engine quicker.

When warm, it adds air to the catalytic converter for the same reason. It can't go to the manifolds any more or the engine could overheat, and if it has an oxygen sensor it would mess with the readings.

If it is removed, just be sure to plug the holes to prevent exhaust leaks, and from false air getting to the oxygen sensor for those with 81 or 82 cars.

Nothing to be lost, expect a slight increase in warm up time. Very slight. The only thing you gain is less weight and the lost horsepower required to run it, and more space under the hood. Without emission testing, removing it is a good choice.

|UPDATED|10/4/2004 7:35:25 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|