Hi, Have a 79 350 manual L82? (still trying to find out what engine is in there, don't think original by the looks of the numbers)it does have a quadrajet carb and all the emissions bits, air pump, catalyser exhaust etc. My question is does this emissions stuff sap engine power? if so what would be the best thing to replace it all with, emissions is not too much of a problem over here, neither is a loud exhaust especially if you know the right tester. Thanks in advance.

It's generally accepted the smog control stuff saps engine power, though explanations vary. A lot comes from the fact that for emissions (and no lead fuel compatibility) purposes at that time, compression ratios were lowered from previous generations. The air pump, like all belt driven accessories, takes horsepower to run, even though it's "supposed" to promote more complete combustion...again "supposedly" lowering emissions and making power at the same time.

The catalytic converter by design adds additional restrictions in the exhaust, which only get worse as mileage adds up. That it's a single exhaust system doesn't help any either.

I don't know where you live, or what the emissions laws are like, so you need to check that you aren't violating any regulations by changing things. What I did with my L78 L82 is install a complete true dual exhaust system without a converter, the air pump was already missing from my car when I purchased it, so that wasn't an issue. I did remove the EGR valve which wasn't operating quite right, and installed an Edelbrock Performer intake manifold, had my Quadajet rebuilt, and gave it a full tune up. The car runs far, far better than before...much more responsive and quick. Eliminating the EGR and related parts also cut down potential vacuum leaks.

There's a lot of good mufflers you can install that are low restriction and aren't excessively loud. I got my complete exhaust system from Corvette Central and am very pleased with it...it installed with no problems and sounds very good. A mechanic I know who has worked on the car said the exhaust change alone was good for maybe twenty extra horsepower form the difference.

Your '79 is twenty-five years old now and in most jurisdictions qualifies as classic or otherwise is exempt from emissions regulations. Check to make sure and here's to you're having a great car when you're done!

Gunslinger is right. Once we got into the 80's it can hurt taking off emissions equipment due to computer control. Non computer cars usually benefit. Sometimes (usually not in 70's) removing the EGR will make the car ping and knock. If so, timing adjustment or higher octane fuel will usually cure the problem.
Federal law does not care about emissions laws for anything over 25 years old. (Not at 25 years, over 25) California does. The other 49 states will let you change any emission thing you want.

Ken Styer

Not 100% true about not caring about what ya do to emissions. I live in NJ & still have to pass emissions, then again, we're not far (in laws) from Calif. Good thing I know someone that's a NJ state inspector (me).
Here's the exhaust I am about to put on my '79 w/ no cats.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42610&item=2462529143
It's not up yet, looks good on the floor next to the Vette. He also has the front trans mounted hanger for the dual exhaust.

Thanks to you all for the information. I live in the United Kingdom and as such have a bit more difficulty getting parts. It's not putting me off the vette as there are not that many daily driven ones over here and I love it's looks. I may upset a few purists but I was thinking along the lines of a performance manifold, Holley carb (I understand them a bit more than the quadrajet, less bits to deal with), headers and a complete dual exhaust system. Taking off the air pump and its associated bits.

You already said you're not sure you have the original engine, so if you don't, I wouldn't be concerned about the purists. It's your car and do whatever pleases you. I'm one of those that believes a properly set up Quadrajet can give you whatever reasonable performance your car is capable of, but if you want a Holley, you won't be sorry. A performance intake will do you well at the same time. Many aftermarket intakes won't fit the stock Corvette hood unless you use a drop down air cleaner, so make sure of what you choose.

When you have it done, let us all know what changes you made and how pleased you are with them.

Just to be clear, it is a violation of federal law to remove emissions componemts. Is it enforced? no. If you move somewhere that requires them you may have to put them back. Standards vary from place to place. Some have no inspection at all, some only sniff the tailpipe, some also have a visual. Some allow dual exhaust w/ 2 cats, some will not allow that. Just be sure you know what you may be getting into before you remove everything.

Yes it is a violation of federal law, if the car is 25 years old or newer. If the car is older than 25 years old, the feds don't care anymore. This is 2004, so if your car is a 79 or newer, it matters. 78 and older it does not matter. Mine is a 75. The Feds know that cars over 25 years old are such a small percentage that the effect of the emissions from these cars do not matter. Same thing for Collector plates in Ohio. A very small percentage. Collector Many people got collecter plates to avoid the inspection. But Ohio law says that the Collector plate has the same driving restriction as Historical plates. Due to cheating, they tightened up the requirement on obtaining collector plates.

Where do I get my info? I am one of the State of Ohio emission repair trainers to train and certify technicians for emission repair. I have a lot of students when the certificate was required when we started e-check. Now that the cert is not required, no students in that class.

Ken Styer

Ken,
you have me concerned. I recently received my collectors plates for my 79. was told by two people at OBMV that cars with collectors plates are not required to have e-checks. that there are 2 requirements of a car that need to be met before collector plates can be issued. 1) that the car must be collectable and is on a list of such. I forgot the name of it, but I think the criteria for that list is that there are car clubs for your car. 2) the car is not your primary mode of transportation. am I correct in interpreting what you are saying that even though no e-check is required, all emissions equipment must be maitained on the car?
also aren't there driving restrictions on historical plates such as when the car can be driven (to and from events, weekends?) and mileage? I was also under the impression that no such resrtictions were placed on collector plates.
thanks,
Hank

Thought I would weigh-in with what KY and my insurance company told me, as this can be a confusing issue. You need to know the right questions to ask both your insurance company and the e-check people in order to get the answers you want...
KY will let you get historic plates when the car is 25 years old. NO OTHER REQUIREMENTS other requirements, although the ladie kept saying she *thought* my insurance company wouldn't let me drive more than a small number of miles yearly. With plate in hand, emissions testing is no longer required.
Now, the insurance company. IF I got insurance for a "historic" car, it would be cheaper and the mileage would be limited. However, I can get normal insurance, pay normal rates, and drive all I want. The insurance company doesn't care what kind of plate is on the car, as long as you pay the rate for the type of coverage that you are getting...
Hope that helps avoid any future confusion as you start talking to to the DMV, e-chech and your insurance co.