After Smog Swap

[JMichel]

Hi guys I'm looking to get an 1800 manifold for my 78. how much are they going for?

Okay heres the PLAN...

What I plan to do is plug the 1800 manifold and swap it out with the current one i have after i get my car smogged. I also plan to swap out that anemic 28/32 adha with a 32/36 dfev but from what i read i will need a carb spacer.

also from what i understand i can just "sandwich" a piece of aluminum (like from a coke can) at the egr valve and block it. is that right?

the only thing that is left (I think) is that dang Cat converter what i was hoping to do is just cut it out and weld flanges to it and make a test pipe that i can bolt in and out as i need to for smog. Will this fly with the smog police here in Cali?

Another route i guess i can take is getting a high flow cat but why get another one of those things if i can just do what i mentioned previously. Unless i can sell the platinum to get rid of the one that is on the car right now

any thoughts? comments? help? or ideas fellas? thanks in advanced!

- Jeff

[So Cal Mark]

your 78 already has the 1800 intake and a 32/34 carb. The 32/36 will give a bit more top end. A Coke can will burn out as an exhaust block.

[JMichel]

Actually my 78 has a 28/32 adha carb that the previous owner put in it. Mark, you actually put the Cat converter on my car a while back so it would pass smog.

How can i tell if i have an single plane 1800 manifold? When a manifold is plugged i assumed it was to be pretty permanent if it were to work well. How difficult would it be to uncork it and have the smog stuff connected back onto it with out it causing problems?

What I wanted was to have another manifold that is plugged that i can swap with the current one and swap it back come smog time. Unless there is a better way of doing it...

[BrianAz]

Hi,
Just curious to know why you want to block the EGR passage? It is not going to give you any more power because at high throttle openings the EGR valve is closed due to a lack of manifold vacuum that opens the valve. Also, EGR requires extra spark advance, so if you block the passage you may end up with part throttle knock due to the now "extra" spark advance.
Regarding the removal of the catalytic converter giving you extra power, Mark is the best one to comment on that as he is the one who installed it for you.

Good Luck,
Brian.

[JMichel]

Good to know about the EGR valve, thanks! I went and I got my self the carb, or should i say, it will be here this monday and i can't wait till i put it in. I'm still not sure what route to take with my intake manifold, and i'm hoping someone could help me out with my question about making my CAT removable here in California

[jefftegeder]

Hey Jeff, I live up here in Mendocino County. Not sure what the laws in your area are as every county is different. We only smog at tittle transfer. But I do have a friend that was in Sacramento and was pulled over. The CHP that pulled him over cited him for removing his cat and having a non CAFE intake on his truck. Check with a Dealership that can smog in your area or DMV....

Jeff

[brunorahl]

The police can do a visual check for a catalytic converter. The best bet is to get a universal performance one from Hyperflow and have that installed. It will probably have better flow then your muffler anyway. Or you could use the stick method. Get the flanges like you want, and buy a used converter from somebody. Dig out the insides and weld on flanges. You end with a test pipe that looks like a catalytic converter.

That stupid EGR valve is going to be a real problem for finding a good manifold. The best carburetor manifold was on the 74 1800's. It will work if you have the style EGR valve that's on the exhaust side of your motor. Port the bowl slightly and the 32/36 DFEV will bolt right on. Add the spacer to help with heat. The tube linking the EGR to manifold can be blocked with a piece of 1/16 steel, cut in the shape of the gasket. Nobody will ever notice the metal so you'll never need to remove it.