Do I really NEED my air-pump/tubing

Scot_94GT · Apr 16, 2005

I can't seem to make the airline stuff fit back in after I installed my BBK longtubes (not to mention, the engine compartment looks cleaner with the stuff gone). Do I really need this stuff? If I just cap the line that goes into the back of the cylinder heads, and cap the line coming out of my cats, will I be fine? My guess is that this is some emissions crap that I don't need (no more sniffer test in MN).

LoudToy958 · Apr 16, 2005

You don't need any of it. I actually removed all of it, and plugged the holes in the back of the heads. As long as you don't have cats, it does nothing for you. I just bought a delete kit, and removed the air pump as well. I have seen people just getting a shorter belt and bypassing it, but I also heard belt tension is an issue in doing that.

YES, you can just plug it and it will be okay. Make sure you plug the two vacuum lines off really good too. Don't want any Vac leaks.

Scot_94GT · Apr 16, 2005

LoudToy958 said:
You don't need any of it. I actually removed all of it, and plugged the holes in the back of the heads. As long as you don't have cats, it does nothing for you.

Well...I have the catted h-pipe. Will my cats even work then, or did I just waste an extra $200 by not getting the OR h-pipe?

LoudToy958 said:
I just bought a delete kit, and removed the air pump as well. I have seen people just getting a shorter belt and bypassing it, but I also heard belt tension is an issue in doing that.

YES, you can just plug it and it will be okay. Make sure you plug the two vacuum lines off really good too. Don't want any Vac leaks.

Vacuum lines? You mean those little wire looking things that plugged into the valves on the airline? What works good to plug them?

Also...will leaving the hole unplugged on the smog pump hurt anything? It will just blow some air thru it right? or does it suck air?

LoudToy958 · Apr 16, 2005

If you don't hook it back up, you run the risk of clogging up your cats at a very excelerated rate. This system pumps air into the cats to help deal with unburnt fuel or something like that.(maybe someone can help with its function) I don't really know how it works. I have read a million threads on it though. They all agree, no cats, no air pump. Cats - need air pump. I wouln't say you wasted your money, but if you have no emissions, you don't need cats. They do nothing but help with your emissions. I took them off my car the second I got my collector plates. Doesn't hurt anything. Just smells like an old 50s catless car.

The vac lines, they are small, like pink or red, and green, or something like that with black boots on the ends. I just bought some plugs from Autozone, but you can use small bolts, screws, as long as it fits tight.

I have never just left the smog pump unplugged. It might make a lot of noise. I am not sure. It won't hurt it, just might be annoying. It just pushes air through it.

Maybe you can get some different hose, and reroute the smog stuff, or return or sell you catted H for an O/R unit.

davins130 · Apr 16, 2005

i just ripped mine off and threw on a shortbelt...Took bolt cutters and pinched and cut the tube that goes to my h-pipe, sealed it pretty good and freed up a bunch of room in my engine bay, and plugged the tube that goes into the back of the cylender head

89MustangGX · Apr 16, 2005

I don't agree with needing an air pump with cats -- never have. Yes, I have seen much talk about needing them, but in the thousands and thousands of miles over years of running them on multiple vehicles, I have not had a failure.

Maybe with stock cats it would be, but I don't think it's necessary anymore with the newer designed cats.

BTW, I ran BBK longtubes and high-flow cats (same as you have) on a carb'd car with no emissions equipment for years without a problem.

Scot_94GT · Apr 16, 2005

89MustangGX said:
I don't agree with needing an air pump with cats -- never have. Yes, I have seen much talk about needing them, but in the thousands and thousands of miles over years of running them on multiple vehicles, I have not had a failure.

Maybe with stock cats it would be, but I don't think it's necessary anymore with the newer designed cats.

BTW, I ran BBK longtubes and high-flow cats (same as you have) on a carb'd car with no emissions equipment for years without a problem.

hmmm...well...after a little forcing and swearing, I managed to ge the air tube back in place. My only problem now is that the rubber hoses will be toutching one of the header primary tubes...I'm affraid it will melt. If I have trouble with melting hoses I may just pull all of that crap out...but Since I paid $350 for my catted h-pipe I'm gonna at least try to run it correctly.

Also, regarding headers melting stuff:
One of the air conditioner condenser lines is kinda sandwiched between a header primary and the strut tower. This line (I think) is metal, so should it be a problem? Might be a PITA to move the line since it's metal also.

LoudToy958 · Apr 16, 2005

Scot_94GT said:
Also, regarding headers melting stuff:
One of the air conditioner condenser lines is kinda sandwiched between a header primary and the strut tower. This line (I think) is metal, so should it be a problem? Might be a PITA to move the line since it's metal also.

I know the line which you are speaking of, I have no issues with it. I checked it regularly for 300 miles, and noticed nothing. Almost looks like they are touching, but all seems to be okay. As far as the header melting your air tubes, if you really want to keep the system, maybe try wrapping the hoses in header wrap. Should prevent the melting.

89MustangGX - good to know about the air pump. Seems to be a lot of different answers out there, and no experience with not running it with cats. Good to know someone has done it and had no problems. Thanks for the info. I'll have to remember that.

mootang · Apr 16, 2005

the hoses melt very quick. I melted mine in a matter of minutes. I say since you don't have emissions order the cattles h or x pipe and sell the one with cats. then get a delete kit for the smog pump and cap off the tube coming from the back of the heads and also cap off the vac lines.

also you can run the smog pump with the tube removed. i did and i didn't notice any difference. couldn't even hear it. i figured if anything it was keeping the engine bay cool.

Do I really NEED my air-pump/tubing

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