I am thinking about taking the emissions devices off of my 86 GXL. I want to do this to simplify things and maybe gain 1-2hp in the process. Where I live doesn't do any type of emissions testing.

Is there anything I should or shouldn't do? What parts should I remove? I want to hollow out the cats, remove the air pump and check valve and remove the EGR.

Is there any down side to removing these devices other than that if I had to do an emissions check I would fail?

Is all I need to do remove them and put on the blick off plates or is it mor complicated than that?

1986 GXL
CAI
Rebuilt N/A
Stock

 

It sounds simple in theory, but it is quite a bit more complicated in practice. Do some searching-you will find lots of threads concerning driveablity problems, idle problems, gas mileage problems etc.

When you know how to do it, i.e. you are an expert, it is simple. If you are asking this question, you are not an expert. Be prepared for trouble for little if any gains. This may be the single 'mod' that has the least benefit with the most risk.

One more detail. When you someday want to sell this car, the number of buyers you can sell it to will be reduced, because of other locations emission testing.

Good Luck!

 

Thanks for the input. One other reason I was going this is because there is some sort of air pump pipe that is just dragging on the ground. its the one that goes in the passenger side of the engine and is half metal and half rubber hose. I don't want it there anymore. would i be getting a manifold vacuum leak from where that was?

 

The only emissions device for which removal will increase power is the cat. Nothing else will be of any gain, and may result in losses in power and driveability if done incorrectly.

 

Sounds like the split air pipe, it's supposed to go into your cat, and is required for the cat to be efficient by pumping air directly into it. You should see a little hose connection coming off the cat pointed forward. (Example here) On the stock split air there would be a flange at the end, and a flange on the cat, they bolt up. If it's not stock, then the end of the split air would be cut and the cat would look like the pic in that link, you just fit a high-temp hose over the 2 pieces and ring clamp 'em down.

So if you're only ripping it out because of the hose, hooking it up may be another option. Hopefully your cat isn't clogged/burned by not having that air source.

 

how much back pressure do i need to run properly? because right now there is nothing from the cat back. I am going to go with either the greddy dual cat back system or the racing beat road race system.

Right now i dont think I have quite enough pressure with out the catback. I am afraid that if i go with the greddy and hollowed out cats or a test pipe that i wont have enough then. should I just go with the RB insted?

 

Well that seems simple. I am also not a fan of the ozone layer so maybe I will hollow out the cat and hook that pipe back up.

Unless i'll lose too much back pressure.