Removing Smog Equipment From California Car

[david lipman]

Recently purchased a California 77 911S with the Original 2.7 and all of the Smog equipment (air pump and thermal reactors). Does not have a front oil-cooler.

it runs about 210-220 on the highway, doesn't get any hotter even when pushed. (assuming the thermo is working right)

Can I (should I?) easily remove the California equipment to cool things up or get more power. What's involved? I'm new to these cars.

Can I just remove the belt from the air pump to see what effect it has?

Thanks,

David

[RoninLB]

I believe all the smog stuff may be needed for you to pass smog testing..which means you remove and replace if you want to go that route..do you have the tools?? and just removing the air injection pump belt will probably slow exhaust flow thru the thermal reactors..at least get a front fender real oil cooler..smog equipment really screwed up that engine, IMHO ....................Ron

[john70t]

Someone posted yesterday about creating a lightweight homemade heat shield to go over the exhaust. Just a suggestion if you are considering that route.....
Richening up the mixture would help the engine run cooler, but the thermoreactors would then probably start glowing.

Wasen't it Bruce Anderson that said something along the lines of "220 is hot, 250 is too dam hot"?

[Targa Dude]

Hi David, Welcome aboard. Before I make any sugestions in regards to your smog equipment removal..I would like to know a couple of things. First what are the smog laws in the state where you live? ie. required smog inspections, visual? emissions? how stringent are they.. are you willing to remove and disable and reinstall your smog equipment when required? re-set CO mixture?


Thanks.. Jorge (Targa Dude)

[nostatic]

Originally posted by john70t
Someone posted yesterday about creating a lightweight homemade heat shield to go over the exhaust.

Check here:

http://www.seinesystems.com

look for the heat shield.

[Targa Dude]

Hi Nostatic,

Those heat shields will have no effect with thermal reactors..
heat shields actually shield heat from heat exchangers that are just below lower valve covers. one more note if you have thermal reactors those heat shield they sell will not fit unless you do some major modifications to them. they are not designed for cars that are running thermals..

Jorge (Targa Dude)

[david lipman]

Targa Dude,

The laws in my state (VA) appear to be pretty lax. When I first had the car tested for emissions upon purchase, the car was too old to be on the state's file, so no equipment was checked at all. I don't think that thermal reactors were even equiped on non-california 2.7s in 1977 (were 50-state on turbos only?), but I could be wrong there.

Removing the air pump seems pretty straight-forward, just remove the pump and belt.

Would I have to make drastic exaust mods to remove the thermal reactors, and if so, what benefit (5 degrees, 20 degrees?) should I be seeing if I go ahead and do it?

Thanks,

David

[RoninLB]

David..in NY my 911 becomes smog exempt after my last smog test next month..it's a 25 year thing here in NY..you may have had your last smog test if your state has the 25 year exemption..so, do you have the 25 year exemption? ............Ron

[911boost]

Growing up in VA with old mustangs, it does have the 25 year exempt smog laws. I Got my car first 66 in 1991 and did not have to have it smog tested.

Hope this helps some.

Bill

[Targa Dude]

Hello David,
Seems to me like you are most interested in reducing the operating temp of your car.. If I'm correct in assuming this is your goal.. I will advise to you the following inregards to your 2.7
Removal of smog devices such as smog pump will have little effect on reducing temps. you can remove Smog pump belt at the least.
Removing Thermal reactors will have positive results in reducing
Oil Temps and cylinder head temps and increase longetivity of motor life expectaion. As to how much the temps will be reduced it all depends on a couple of other factors such as,
do you have the following?

1. 11 blade Fan?
2. Oil cooler in front fender well?
3. Proper Ignition Timing ?
4. C/O Mixture correct?
5. lower turbo valve covers?
6. Is Engine compartment sheet metal is intact?
7. Insulating Grunge,Oil, dirt build up removed on motor housing
cylinders, oil cross over tubes. etc. etc.

First off.. remove your thermal reactors, Replace with
A) SSI Heat exchangers. $$$
B) Back dated heat exchangers 1974-1976 $$
C) Thermal reactor replacements $

Mull this over and if you have more questions let me know.
Doing all or some of the above should result in reducing temps.

I hope this helped..

Jorge (Targa Dude)

[RoninLB]

I think the main concern here is dumping the thermal reactors and replacing them with SSI..then the other stuff can be dealt with..thermal reactors means he has a 2 in/ 1 out muffler that works with the SSI..I have an almost brand new set of thermal reactors in my attic that may be worth 25 cents ................Ron

[david lipman]

Thanks for the advice, I'll be looking into my state of tune before I do anything, but it seems that the thermal reactors should go regardless. Its not really running that hot, and the service records from the previous owner over the past 200K+ miles don't indicate premature rebuilds (every 100K or so), so maybe with this car the heat isn't too much of a problem.

Thanks,

David

[Chuck Moreland]

Since I brought a 77 2.7 liter into CA and had to add all the smog stuff that had been removed, I have some experience here.

If you don't have to do smog testing I would suggest you

1) Remove the smog pump

2) Replace the thermal reactors/exchangers with early exchangers or SSI

3) Bypass the EGR (much less important than the others)

You can leave the air rail in place, or remove it if you like. But save all the removed items. The next owner may need them.

I spent months and some $1500 in cash rounding up all the parts to make my car pass smog. Those parts are worthless, unless you need them.

Do also put on an external cooler. It's not a smog thing but your engine will thank you with extended life.