I've read a few posts about removing the AIR pump and related hoses. I really hate the sight of the thing, and I'm looking to free up some room in the engine bay.

With the OBD II, I'm pretty sure no AIR will throw a code, and I'm looking to prevent this without tuning the PCM. Also, the factory manual says the AIR pump helps warm up the cats for the first few minutes of engine start-up. Will taking off the AIR pump hurt my cats any?

And the big problem. I live in California and obviously need this thing smog legal. Can I pass smog without AIR? Still have EGR and cats.

 

removing the air won't harm the cats. But you're pretty much screwed when it comes to preventing the PCM from throwing a code without re-programming the PCM. You won't be able to pass the emissions with the SES light on.

 

With the OBD-II system, you'll definitely throw a code. Also, if the inspectors know what they are looking for, a visual inspection may be a problem as well.

 

Ok, so I definitely need a tune. But say I can find a smog shop that doesn't really check under the hood. Will I pass emissions still?

 

If they run the dyno test it will pass provided the engine is at temp when you bring it in. But if they plug into the PCM I'm not sure what they will say even if you had the air programmed out. I know it checks for codes, but I don't know if it does more than that.

 

I dunno about 96s but my 94 says its cold emissions exempt basicly.

 

What if I remove my pump and hose's etc... on my 95 will that set a ses light? Also what belt would I use then?

 

Stock belt, no it shouldnt set a SES light if you leave the air pump fuse and relay in. the air pump is electronic, not mechanical.

 

Yup..

Opinion? Leave it on. It does not effect engine power, and is on only during the first 5 or so minutes providing extra oxygen so that the cats will come up to temp and operate quicker.. Their only downfall is that they take up so much room and are rather unsightly (on lt1s at least).

 

I recommend taking it off Its not hard, it really cleans up the engine bay, a lot of the unslightly tubes going off the manifolds are now gone. You need a plug to fill the hole in your manifolds/headers from them. The rest should just come right now. Some people say you need to cut the air tube, but me and a friend were both able to twist it out of our cars by bending the hose to wiggle it out.

 

Thanks for all the input guys! I think I'll leave it in for now until I am ready for some more bolt-ons and a good tune. If I ever get it smogged with the AIR off, I'll let you all know the outcome!

 

Agreed, it looks much nicer, gives more room, and you don't have to work around it, however if its needed (i.e. original equipment) to pass state inspection (as it is in NY) is it really worth the hassle and the risk? I'd love to get rid of mine.. matter of fact, been driving this spring without it hooked up since I accidentally threw out my air pipe to header adapters.. but had to go through the pain of finding new adapters and installing them before the inspection (which of course I'm late on )

 

Wrong, if you remove the air pump hoses it will still throw a code. The PCM sample the O2 sensor during the air pump check to determine if it see the extra air coming from the pump. If it does not it throws a code. I don't think there's a way to prevent code short of programming it out.

 

Who are you directing this towards?

 

I was replying to LiENUS who stated, "Stock belt, no it shouldnt set a SES light if you leave the air pump fuse and relay in. the air pump is electronic, not mechanical."