1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

air pump/cat. questions

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Old 09-28-05 | 10:51 AM
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tmking66's Avatar
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From: Jonesborough, TN
air pump/cat. questions

Ok, I just finished the "rats nest removal" and an anyone who has done this knows that part of this process is removing the air pump. As I understand it, part of the air pumps purpose is to deliver air to the main cat. to help clean up emissions. I obviously am not worried about emissions or I would not have removed the "nest". Now for the questions.

The main cat. on my car was clogged. It would glow red while running. I have now removed it and it is toast. I have another main cat. that is in good shape. If I put it on the car will the absence of the air pump cause this cat. to melt down also. I know I could run a strait pipe back from the exhaust man. but I don't have the pipe or a welder and don't want to spend any more money getting that done. What would happen good or bad or nothing if I put the air pump back on an ran a pipe strait from the air pump to the main cat. Would this save the cat. from frying or hurt it more or not help at all one way or the other?
Old 09-28-05 | 11:03 AM
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um if you arent worried about emissions then why are you trying to put another cat on the car?
Old 09-28-05 | 11:03 AM
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the air pump isn't gonna help the cat any. The air pump puts the air into the exhaust to help burn unburnt fuel, so i would say that the air pump is making the exhaust hotter. But, i think the reason your old one was clogged, was simply because it's old. I think an average catalytic converter is supposed to be changed every 30k??? i think so, not sure.
Old 09-28-05 | 11:35 AM
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i had the same problem, for a quick fix just take a big screw driver or a small pipe and stab it into the honey comb looking stuff inside the cat, it might be hard and take alittle bit of work but you will be able to remove everything from inside the cat that awy, then just bolt it back on, thats what i did to mine until i have the money to replace the exhaust system later on

as for the air pump, im new to rotary, so i dont even know what the hell it is but i did see that weird pipe running into the cat.. ill deal with that later i guess
Old 09-28-05 | 11:16 PM
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From: Columbiana, AL
the purpose of a air pump is to help cool the cats so they won't go into a meltdown mode. newer cars are built so they don't have to run air pumps.
so yes if you put that cat on there without an air pump it will most likely do the same thing agian
Old 09-29-05 | 02:22 AM
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From: Wyoming
It is interesting that the down pipe from RB use the air pump but the presilencer dosen't. Is it because the stock header only bolts into the down pipe and not the presilencer? I was looking at peoples set up and notice everyone that have a presilencer have a header installed. Is it because the presilencer only bolts into a header?
Old 09-29-05 | 02:40 AM
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well the header will eliminate the the cats. running a pre-silencer is good to keep a nice tone from the exhaust and if you get the whole kit from RB... it comes with it. rb header and pre-silcencer are like 12a's and carbs... they just go together hahahah
Old 09-29-05 | 03:55 AM
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If you intend to replace your cat with a stock model, then you will need the airpump to keep it alive. If you are using an aftermarket cat, or one from a different model of car, you will not need it. If I were you, I would replace it with a straight pipe using exhaust clamps if necessary. Otherwise, as noted above, you could just hollow out the cat and put it back on. Also, as far as your cat glowing red, are you sure that your timing is correct?




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