The secondaries in my '85 GS arent working. Today I was doing a routine check-up, and I tested them, as I had felt a lack of power. My worries were correct, and they don't open. My dad said they cracked a tiny bit, but that was at 6500 rpm. I know the diaphragm is probably shot, but with all this stock emissions crap still on here, I can't find it. Can someone give me a pic that shows where it is? It's even hard to get to the throttle linkage because there is just so much clutter. I'm contemplating removing all of the emissions and rat's nest, but should I wait to get a cat replacement pipe before I do that, just so I don't murder the cat? I would feel pretty bad about ruining it because the previous owner just replaced it like 5000 miles ago, and it was $600. Can you really sell a used cat or not? And should I remove the Emissions before getting a pipe, or would it not sell for much even if it isn't ruined (the cat)?

All help very much appreciated.

-Jon

 

this thread was just recently covered...check your "teeter totter"(linkage rod), also search using words such as "secondaries" "secondaries not working"...w/e...it's been covered plenty of times.

 

Well I'll jump in and throw you a bone. The only way your dad is going to see the secondaries open is if you take off the hood and air cleaner and drive around with him riding on the engine. They are vacuum operated and load dependant, so sitting at a stop and revving the engine will not open them. Ever. Pull off all the junk and switch to mechanical secondaries, or better yet, order a Sterling and enjoy MORE power while your at it.
www.sterlingmetalworks.com

Fantastic toy (can you tell that I own one yet?)

You can remove the emissions equipment, as long as you don't take forever to swap in a cat delete pipe. I ran for almost a year without my air pump before finally getting rid of the stock exhaust, and had no real trouble. Car didn't even backfire. It's not going to instantly destroy that cat. Besides, even if it does, it's your car now.

Chances are you could probably sell that cat for a few bucks to someone out in Californaia. I'm sure theres some guys out there that are having or going to have some problems passing smog, and don't want to pay top dollar for a new cat.

 

thanks.

lol who edited my title?

I don't really talk like that, I only did it for effect :P

 

After I rebuilt my carb on my '81 RX-7 I found out what driving without secondaries was like. I had the base gasket upside down. Anyway without secondaries you get great gas mileage but at every red light, you really gotta give the car a work out to keep up with traffic. 0-60 takes about 16 seconds or so. Orion is right though, you wont see the secondaries open sitting in the driveway.

 

With my Sterling carb, I can drive all day without touching the secondaries and I'll still blow the doors off most Hondas... But yeah, driving on primaries alone with a stock carb requires mucho patience.



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^^ it ain't that bad :P, (i hardly ever use my mech. secondaries) but it does make me wanna try the sterling sometime...hmmm