Smog pump (air pump) bypass?

[desmondm2005]

Hi all,

I'm replacing the belts on my 1985 and was wondering if leaving the belt off the air pump will affect anything? Any information will be appreciated

[codge]

If you've still got the thermal reactor I'd be surprised if you can just do without the air pump.
Usually the reactor and air pump are removed together.

Without the pump and still exhausting into the rector I would expect backfiring / overheating or some such.
Plus the emissions will be screwed up for the MOT?

Having said that I've never tried it.....anyone else got an opinion?

[spirit r]

Hi all, Any information will be appreciated

http://www.racingbeat.com/manuals/16008%20Header.pdf

[desmondm2005]

I'm not sure if I still have the thermal reactor or not (or where it would be located)

[ian65]

I'm not sure if I still have the thermal reactor or not (or where it would be located)

the thermal reactor is a tank like device bolted to the side of the engine...



it works as a type of exhaust manifold and is basically a tank within a tank..... exhaust gases exit the engine into the inner tank and then exit into the exhaust itself. This inner tank is surrounded by an outer tank which is fed by air from the air pump. The whole setup is designed to clean up the engine and reduce emissions but it seriously saps the engines power which is why most owners strip the air pump and thermal reactor off and fit an ordinary tubular exhaust manifold.

[KiwiDave]

If you are UK based, you should remove the thermal reactor and air pump. They are not required under UK emissions regs. MOT requires visual test only for emissions.

http://www.motuk.co.uk/images/non_cat.pdf

If you are US based, you will fail the smog test if the air pump is not operational

[desmondm2005]

I live in the states but my state has no specific law pertaining to emissions...so it wouldn't hurt the car to remove it all together? Anything special I have to do?

[codge]

If it's a 12A engine and you don't have emissions tests for a 'ticket of roadworthiness' in the States then no it won't hurt to remove the gear. The vast majority of UK owners have stripped theirs off as and when exhausts have rotted out. I don't know anything about 13B's.
Here are a couple of links to the procedure from UK exhaust makers. It will be the same thing for a US maker but you need a purpose made exhaust system, with correct header (front pipe) and ideally a fitting kit from somewhere before you start.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8jAGJ ... E5OTFhYzAy

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8jAGJ ... JlNGY4OGU1

If you don't want to change the exhaust then I fear you need to stay as you are.
Ask some US RX7 specialists what they can offer in the way of exhausts with a straight out downpipe system?

[desmondm2005]

I will check out those links, thanks!

Mine is a 13B and it does have a slight exhaust leak near the air pump/header...also the air pump is a little noisey at the pulley