[Shotimes] Fwd: damn cali emmissions!@!

[Kevin & Cheryl Airth]

Jon:
 A couple of things. The catalytic converters in the SHO are TWC's (Three
Way Catalytic Converter). This means that the converter reduces HC, CO and
NOX.  NOX is almost exclusively produced at high combustion temperatures. To
reduce the combustion temperature and the NOX is the only reason for the EGR
system. The EGR works but putting exhaust gases back into the intake
manifold at certain times. This dilutes the fuel/ air mixture coming into
the engine and reduces combustion chamber temperatures. As you know the 49
state MTX cars did not have EGR installed. But all the ATX cars and the
California MTX cars came equipped with factory EGR.

 So for your car. What exactly did they put on for converters? New correct
3-way converters are what's needed. Did they by chance use 2 way converters?
They are cheaper. When asking you want to hear the converter is a
reduction/oxidation catalyst or 3-way.

 Make sure the car is good and hot but does not idle very long before
reading the tailpipe emissions. Run the engine at 2500 rpm for 30 seconds or
so and then let it idle then read the tail pipe.

 Make sure no codes are present in the computer (PCM).

 Finally pull the spout right before the test. The SPOUT (Spark Output) plug
should be on the passenger side of the engine around the cam sensor. It is a
removable plug with a gray color. It will be buried and dirty so spend some
time looking for the gray piece. Push the side tabs in to release the plug.
Should be enough slack in the harness to pull it out but it's close. DO NOT
get rough with the wires in this area! When removed this forces the engine
to base timing and is much retarded from the computer advance. Remember that
retarding the timing will lower the combustion temperature also but really
kills the power output. The car should be a real dog with this pulled! Back
firing when trying to accelerate. I would do it while at the test station.

I found the proper 94 MTX converters for $290 here:
http://www.catalyticonverters.com/FOTAURUSSHO45259295.html

Or my favorite place is $285.
http://www.discountconverter.com/converters/display_table.cfm

With your low HC and CO level I am suspicious of the converters that were
installed. The NOX is taken care of in one section of the converter but the
HC and CO are handled by a different section. So if both HC and CO are good
and low I think the converter is doing it's job. That the NOX is so far out
of range, I wonder if  it's being treated at all?
Please post your all your numbers. This can add more details to your
problem.
.
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 Subject: damn cali emmissions!@!
> > this is my post from the sho forums, if any one has
> > advice please let me know...
> >
> >  thanks
> >         jon
> >
> >
> > i need to reduce my nox in the exhaust. here is my
> > story, and yes i have used the search and did not get
> > an answer to my question in specific.
> >
> > all i need to do is drop my nox levels, all the other
> > levels are very good and with in spec, on the low
> > side. i have a 49 state car, 94mtx with 131k miles. i
> > recently did the 120k (valves, plugs, wires, tstat, o2
> > sensors, cleaned the intake) within 10k. the nox
> > levels by the way are about twice as high as the
> > allowable level. i failed the test and then replaced
> > the cats $$$!! and the same result. the car passed at
> > the same shop about 2 years ago with no problem,
> > everything, if i remember correctly, was well with in
> > the standard. i will pull the codes off of it later
> > tonight or tomorrow. the car is in california, but all
> > i need is a sniffer test, as the car is registered out
> > of state and i am in the coast guard and only need to
> > get a sticker to drive on base, so the military made
> > the deal with california to get all the military cars
> > smoged in order to get the sticker. i have fought that
> > ever since i have been here!! oh well its over my
> > head. ok back to the sho problem... i run 91octance,
> > im not sure if it is oxengated or not?? would that
> > even make a difference in the nox content?? i do know
> > a place that sells non oxegentated fuel, well their
> > sign says so!! any help would be appreciated.
> >
> > thanks
> > jon