wanner

will my air pump still function if i remove the rats nest? also, what benefit is there by removing the rats nest? thanks

Brianhsval

That is one of the purposes of removing the rats nest is to get rid of the air pump. Therefore no it will not work because it will not be on the car.

Not trying to be a smart ***, but that IS the reason for doing the removal. Getting rid of emissoins. It makes the car more throttle responsive. Free up a few hp.

Rusty Shackleford

i have heard people say they can tell alittle difference but i think 80& of people here will tell u the point of taking it out is for adding racing applicatoins and to clean up the look since if u have no emmsions where u live then i would take it out as for air pump when u take ur rats nest out i htought one step was to remove that so any one else help there?

wanner

i don't want to get rid of the air pump. i might be moving from ohio and the don't test here. if i go to atlanta then they test there. so if there is no performance gain then i will leave it. thanks for the help

82SilverRX7

there is a performance gain, but as you know already it won't pass

calvinpaul

iTrader: (2)

It helps to simplify the engine bay, it greatly improves appearance, it makes the throttle slightly more resopnsive, (less drag with the air pump removed), that is about all it does. I suggest that if you need to pass emissions, leave it. If you don't then remove it can get a header and car replacement pipe. These 2 mods will help a lot. If you leave the air pump on it, I would think that there would be little or no preformance gain. I have never attempted it pesonally though....

ChunkyMonkey

iTrader: (1)

If it helps the performance by having one less belt on teh engine, then can't you just cut the belt for the airpump? Then, when it comes time for teh emission test, just reinstall a new belt, instead of having to reinstall the whole pump again. I was thinking of removing mine as well.

calvinpaul

iTrader: (2)

Chunky, if you do that you will fry your cats. If you remove the emissions, you remove dead wieght, engine drag, and you can open up the air box for GREATLY improved airflow (cut off all the sides and get rid of the snorkle). If you need any of the emissions, just keep it there until the day that your car no longer requires them.

ChasRX

Get a RB full streetport exhaust (header with the long-pipe system), without any cats, and let the airpump and emissions blow to no-where. Then, when it's time for inspection, put the original full exhaust back on; including the airpump tube to allow air to blow into the stock cat(s).
I actually do this swap every year for inspection time in NC. It takes a couple hours to swap them out; however, while doing so I can do a yearly inspection of the bottom side of the car, too.
I don't race my '81 12A, nor is it actually streetported; but the full streetport RB exhaust makes a noticable difference in power to my stock 12A.

vipernicus42

iTrader: (4)

I've got my rat's nest removed, along with my Air Control Valve removed, but to pass safety I needed to have a cat. So to have a cat you need an air pump. So using a little inginuity, I plumbed the Air Pump straight into the cat air pipe. So I'm running an air pump to keep my brand new cat from burning up until I get a chance to remove it completely, but I have no other emissions on the entire car. Just a cat and an air pump. Even the emissions control devices built straight into the carb have been removed, and the heat shield and heat pipe that leads to the air box snorkel are gone.

For me it makes sense. I don't have emissions testing here, so I don't need emissions, but I have to have a cat to pass safety, and so I bought a new cat to pass safety with. After I safety though, bye bye air pump and cat, hello RB header and presilencer!



If you want more info, PM me.

Jon