Denise (bowing in advance for your impending coronation):
re laws: I may not have the correct definition of felony ... sorry, I'm a
ferner (southern spelling of legal alien) but I do know that, in every source
I've read on the subject, it's a violation of a federal EPA law to mucker
with the emissions controls of a car - even if you're not a professional
mechanic. In fact, it says so under the bonnet of a couple of cars I've
owned. (I usually remove the sticker, too, by the bye). I know individual
states have different smog laws, but the emissions controls are, at heart, a
federal implementation of the EPA clean air act of 197-something. Not trying
to pick nits; I just don't want to get anyone in trouble on my advice. ;)
I'm surprised to hear you say that the air injection system doesn't reduce
the operating efficiency of the car. While I'm willing to wager that the
biggest choke on the 1800cc engine is the bitty motorcycle carburettor they
stuck on it, and the somewhat over-baffled exhaust system a close second, I'm
certain that removing an extra drag on the engine, as well as that noisome
gulp/egr valve combination on the intake side, has improved the overall
performance by over a quarter bhp. I'd be willing to bet, theoretically, that
I could pick up an extra 5 bhp by converting it to electric fans; I'd
imagine, based on performance before and after, that removing the air pump
did about the same. Not that I don't believe your expertise - just that I'd
be surprised if it's that little.
The biggest improvement I can see has been a better overall throttle response
in the car. With the current set-up, it seems to have a much finer and
quicker response than it did with the air pump on, and of course more than
with the air pump off but the Z-S carb on. ::shrug:: I'd welcome any
thoughts more experienced hands than mine have.
I do applaud your suggestions re: the elimination of smog tests for those of
us responsible enough to keep our cars in tune. I'll vote for you.
ckr
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