Well, I took the thunderbird to emissions and it failed the Nox part of the test. This is most likely due to the EGR being removed and since I no longer even own a stock intake manifold, I can't very easily hook it back up now. So I made some temporary adjustments to the car to hopefully get it to pass when I take it back this weekend. Simple things I did were to put 2 bottles of Heet in the tank and retard to timing a couple degrees, but It was way over on Nox, so I also disconnected the charge pipe from the supercharger and piped all the boost directly into some fittings I welded into the exhaust. I'm hoping that this will dilute the exhaust enough to guarantee I pass.
The first thing I did was take the cats out, clean them, and weld in these fittings so they can be injected with ridiculous amounts of air.
(http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu352/bryan163photobucket/2012-01-20_16-16-24_921.jpg)
Then I disconnected the charge pipe and made a fitting to attach two hoses. I also put an air filter right on the throttle body for now.
(http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu352/bryan163photobucket/2012-01-22_13-38-22_632.jpg)
Then I ran the hoses from the charge pipe to both cats. So all air from the supercharger is being blown directly into the exhaust.
(http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu352/bryan163photobucket/2012-01-22_13-38-51_777.jpg)
Im feeling pretty good that this is gonna work. What do you guys think? This is the last time this car will be tested because next year it will be old enough to be exempt. So if it passes the cats will be removed for good and my test pipes will be going back in.
I've "heard" (LOL) of guys with full exhaust drilling a 1" hole in the highest part of the pipes that go over the axle. This lets some of the NOX escape before it hits the sniffer. (And yes it works if you're close.;))
This is kind of interesting to me, since I'm about to buy an x pipe. Weighing between a catted and a catless version. Obviously I'd want to save money if I can, but on the hand, I will need this car to be licensed. That requires a visual (if the inspector even gives a shiznit) but no sniffer.
I know of a coupla places that have never checked...I guess it comes down to morals and am I afraid of being caught should I get pulled over sometime down the road. (pun intended).
I don't have a smog pump, or anything else....and my car is an '88.
I have always been able to register my car where I don't have to pass emissions, but its more trouble then its worth, and if I say move to california, i'd like to bring my car.
@Thunderbirdsport302. Will you be exempt next year too. Idk what the inspection laws are where you are. I wouldn't even be bothering right now, but I need to renew my registration and i can't do that until it passes emissions.
I forgot to mention, i also installed a colder thermostat because i learned that Nox output increases with higher combustion temps. Does anyone know any other tricks?
Cats, aperantly and egr, or as tom renzo says, a 1/4" brake line into the intake from the exhaust does the same thing...
Well, it worked! I was at 1600ppm on the Nox last time I failed. This time I was down to 660ppm. You have to be under 700ppm to pass. I renewed my registration and this car will never have to go through emissions again. I normally only run the cats when I go through emissions so those will be out of the car for good now. You can see in the picture how they are d so they can be swapped back and forth with the test pipes.
Tonight it was out with the cats and in with the test pipes.
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/428582_10150740387738222_579388221_12709403_1839984760_n.jpg)