smog stuff...need to get rid of?

[pcmcobra]

So I picked up my 86 Silverado yesterday.
It's got a 305, no biggie, but the body is straight and clean as they come. Interior is mint.
Anyway, this is my first project truck, I don't plan on keeping the 305 in, only for maybe a couple more years, if it lasts.
I would like to go ahead and dress up the motor just a little. Maybe some valve covers, air cleaner, that kind of thing.
Anyway, I noticed the man who owned it before me put an exhaust system, straight pipes to some flowmasters out back, he kept the stock exhaust manifolds, and has disconnected the smog pump. What else can I get rid of to get some of the mess out from under my hood?
Again, this is my first project truck, and my only experience is under the hood is with a 95 mustang gt.
I really would like to get rid of whatever I could, maybe even put a serpentine belt system, if I can get one cheap somewhere.
Any help would be great!
Thanks
I'll post some pics of my new ride when I get some time this week.

[Lt.Del]

You shouldn't get rid of any of it. It is all there for a reason, so we can breathe easier.

It is a federal violation to remove any of that smog stuff and you can be fined heavily.

That aside, whether you get caught or not is another story.  Do you have inspections in your area?  Here in some parts of Va, they do annual inpections on all vehicles. So it is difficult to answer your questions.  It will run with a lot of that stuff removed, but.....


Sgt. Del
www.delbridge.net

[samseye]

In theory you don't have any of it if you are not worried about breaking the law or you do not have e checks.

Depending on the type of brackets you have...you should be able to remove the smog pumps.  You will have to get new belts to drive a/c, alt and power steer pump.  If you go to autozone, they'll ask you with or without smog pump.  Or just cut the ones you have to size and compare to picking up new ones.  Or find a serpenteen system off a newer auto in a bone yard.  If you have cash to burn, you could order a set up from Summit or a performance shop.

You would have to probably have to update the carb, maybe the intake if you plan on going without your egr.  There are all kinds of crazy vacuum ports on the stock carb.  You can pick up an edelbrock 600 cfm with electric choke for a little over $200.  Keep you vacuum T in the manifold hook it back up, hook back up your vapor canistor lines (may have to cap the fuel bowl vapor line or two) and your distributor advance directly to the carb.

If you think about it, an engine needs fuel, fire and air to run.
All the other stuff is there to help the engine not be as bad for the environment.  To Del's point ...so we can breathe easier.
You could always plant a tree if you find it hard to sleep at night.

I would get cats on it, especially if it is loud.  All you need is to get pulled over and "the man" starts checking your exhaust.
I would imagine the fine would be quite high and once you show you are not compliant I would imagine you will have to put everything back to stock.  I had a friend that happened to on a vette.

What ever you do, save everything you take off.  That way if you need it or go to sell it...you got it.

My theory is...if it ain't broke, don't fix it.  So if it is running well, I would suggest leaving it alone.  If you are really worried about dressing it up, they do make all kinds of legal after market parts.  It may cost a little more now, but save you some $ in the long run.  Not to mention you'll make some tree huggers happy and you are obeying the law.