Any one know of a good refrance for step by step removal of the smog/emmissions equipment from an 80 Vette? Of course this is just a question I would never do anything like that to my Vette.

I would never have done anything like that to mine however,,,,,, I can tell you that you can pull the air induction plastic off by taking the flex hose off, then unbolting from over the radiator.  Then you can change to a K&N filter system over the carb.  The AIR pump is two or three bolts if I remember right and the pully can come off for added weight savings/room on the front.

I would say get the shop manual and go to the smog section and follow the removal procedures, then just forget to follow the re-install procedures. 

Since mine has side pipes, you can well imagine that the 600lb cat came off, along with the metal heat shield.  I left the cannister for fuel fumes connected. 

Oh yeah, when you take the factory breather off, you can get one of those cool K&N or other type filters that'll plug into the valve cover hole where the tube goes to.  I kept the PCV valve in.

While you're at it, look at all the vacuum hoses and change any that are hard, cracked, or broken (missing).

Really cleans up the interior of the engine compartment.

I don't know how they do things in MD, but here in the badlands, we don't have annual inspections and if we did, it wouldn't matter 'cause she's over 25 yrs old!
dnv2009-03-27 10:37:31

Thanks Dennis

Soak those exhaust manifold bolts real good over night before trying to bear down on them. My original 350 in the baby produced tons of vacuum with the emissions stuff removed. I don't think you'll have any problems there...my fuel vapor canister sat in my car (in the garage) for the past 5 years with the lines cut and I never knew it, never smelled a darn thing... tossed that puppy too...LukesVette2009-03-27 14:43:05

keep everything you remove, in Calif you still have to smog76 and newer, I worked a deal with a member who was restoring an early C-3 which had nothing at all, the price to replace everything with new and repo stuff was well over 1K, if you sell the car, the new ower might need it, might make a difference in the sale.

Glenn, if you have historic tags on yourVette you do not have emissions ORsafety inspections. If you don't have 'em, get 'em!

Barry

Remember that removing all that vacuum loss will affect your tune.  You might need to re-jet your carb to get best results, and maybe having more vacuum will affect your optimum timing curve.

Larry