I'm putting a downpipe & RB dual tips on my fd.....to gain a little more power, can i just remove the airpump or does the catalytic converter need it to flow? I'm in Florida so I don't have to worry about passing emissions.

I'm hesitant to putting a midpipe on until I can properly do it (Power FC, Port wastgate). Since the air pump robs power from the engine, I thought maybe I could just get the pulley sytem to eliminate it without getting rid of the Catalytic.

Any comments?

 

IMO, the biggest advantage of removing the AP is for space and underhood cooling. Since the AP free-wheels at IIRC ~3800 rpm becoming just a pulley. And I don't think it causes alot of drag even when in operation.

 

You do not gain power by removing the air pump. Leave it on.

 

you dont have to change to a midpipe. just order the blocking plates from rx7store and you can do it all. thats what i did. and i did feel a lil bit of a difference since i removed pretty much all emissions

 

Sorry for my ignorance, but I thought that any additional accessories that the engine needs to run would rob some power, no? If the air pump was removed, would a shorter belt with the correct pulleys (like from the air pump elimanation kit: http://www.rx7store.net/product_p/rx...%20pulleys.htm) essentially let the engine work a little less?

I appreciate the info,

Ian

 

Underdriving ALL accessories will release "some" power. The airpump by itself isn't robbing the car of enough power for you to notice any changes.

 

the biggest difference is that you lose about 9 or 10 lbs by removing the thing. I think the power increase you wont even be able to notice.

You can go ahead and remove it if you dont need it and enjoy a little more space in the engine bay.

I plan on removing the air pump myself soon, im running a midpipe and the ap assembly is rubbing against my intercooler pipe :\

 

Ian,

From what you've said in the past, you enjoyed the power of the car you had before but enjoy the refinement of your current ride (quietness, smoothness, lack of stinkiness), I'm taking the path of leaving the airpump on using a downpipe, with a high flow cat and catback. I'll try to make the best of both worlds and get out of it what I can. I can't speak for the 3rd gen you lost but when I had the full open exhaust with my TII, the car was not civil in traffic. I kind of shrugged it off cause it was a nice ride but man you couldn't open the windows at a light without getting a little cross eyed.

 

Some member's say they haven't had a problem, while others found an issue of bad idle and hesitation on acceleration after removing the AP........without a PFC to correct it.

 

Thanks for the input man......next time you come down to edgar's shop, shoot me a PM...I'd like to hear how your car sounds with the downpipe & RB duals.

-Ian