engine and drivetrain "de Smogging" My 76' 49 States Car.

[Nesset127]

So I've been thinking recently I've owned my car for about a month. Not much notable rust, suspension is good, engine revs wonderfully but just not much power. My engine has 15k on it. Yes my car has 65k on it and my engine was swapped by BMW in the 90's. I also understand these cars are pretty weak as is but is there a thread or something I can look at to "de smog" my car. Just to see what the car was really intended for power wise.

On and I may also not be used to the power quite yet. The first car I drove legally was a E92 M3 competition package. So I may be still used to the 425 horses coming out of that Bavarian beast.

Edited August 4, 2013 by Nesset127

[Conserv]

Just to manage your expectations, the "un-smogged" European version of the '75 (the 2002 was pretty much discontinued, except for the U.S., after '75) had 2 to 4 more horsepower than the U.S. version, depending on which source you consult. Now 2 to 4 horsepower, for a 96 horsepower engine, is a full 2%-4% -- nothing to sneeze at! So de-smog, but don't expect 425 horsepower!

Regards,

Steve

Edited August 4, 2013 by Conserv

[Buckeye]

In the search box (upper right hand corner) type de smog and then select forums and hit go. Lots of threads on this topic

[radio9phs]

Desmogging involves removing the gas handling components (air pump, egr valve, hoses from exhaust manifold, etc) and some associated electricals. When I bought my '76 it had been partially desmogged. I still need to remove the electricals. You can search the forums for information. It is helpful also to refer to diagrams of the system. There should be one on the left front fender under the hood.

[fwardell]

Right, do a search and you'll find plenty of de-smog topics. I did my '76 CA-smogged '02 and love the results - much zippier performance! And be sure to find a non-smog exhaust header, it'll make a big difference, too. Then, if you haven't already done so, get a Weber 32/36 carb - bolts right on, and comes in manual, electric and water choke models. I personally like the manual. 

 

Now, here's the kicker: keep all the stuff you take off and sell it on this forum or eBay - got $400 for mine. CA owners who de-smpg find that they need to re-smog to pass emissions inspection. Good luck!

[Mike Self]

At least on my '73 the entire wiring harness that serves all the emission stuff is entirely separate from the car's main wiring harness, so it's easy to unplug it from the main harness and remove along with the solenoids and vacuum valves without cutting anything.  I suspect that it's the same on your '76--that way the factory could use the same main wiring harness for Euro as well as US spec cars.

 

Shoud simplify your task.

 

cheers

mike

[Honolulu]

Mike there was actually smog gear on a '73?

 

I took it all off my last CA model '76, but the wiring was interwoven with much of the other loom and could not easily be separated. The smog wiring is encased in a stretchy blue plastic so it was easy to identify.  I coiled it up in a wad and stuffed it next to the washer bottle, which had a leak. 

 

I had to remove the alternator to get some of it out, but that offered an opportunity to clean the filthy beast.  You'll have to plug the air injection port at the front end of the manifold if you don't replace the exhaust header.  A quarter, or a punchout from a metal electrical junction box will work.