I'm planning to install a set of headers on my 81 - probably the Dynomax ceramic coated long headers. I figure the headers will not come with a place to install the old oxygen sensor. Also, no heat risers going to the AIR pump. I took the belt off the AIR pump a few years ago, so I figure I'll just take the pump off completely now and plug the vacuum line going to it. My question is, are there potential problems with the 81's computer if I do these things?

You should be able to order them with an air injection tube, as most header companies offer them that way. You just have to order it custom. I would do some more research. You could also order them with out a ceramic coating and have a air tube welded on them have them ceramic coated by jet hot.

These options might make more sense then deleting a emissions system that is required to make an ECU run correctly. That is if its really needed

If the AIR system is not there, as long as no air is getting into the exhaust, it will not affect the computer system at all. It will not affect performance at all. The catalytic converter may not be as efficient, so emissions may go up a bit. Emissions will go up quite a bit on a cold engine, but operation of the engine won't be affected.
Not using an oxygen sensor will have a MAJOR effect on the system, and all for the worse. Fuel mileage, performance, and emissions will suffer.

Ken Styer

Thanks for the info! That's kind of what I thought about the AIR - wasn't sure on the oxygen sensor.