Help, looking for emissions experts!!!

[pantera1683]

Look into Denatured Alcohol, that's what I ended up using to pass my emissions. I tried E85 and it wasn't enough, but the denatured alcohol made the Z seem like a Prius on the sniff test!

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by pantera1683

Look into Denatured Alcohol, that's what I ended up using to pass my emissions. I tried E85 and it wasn't enough, but the denatured alcohol made the Z seem like a Prius on the sniff test!

Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out and trying to learn what I can. At this point, I'll try anything.

[batchman]

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

At this point, I'll try anything.

Anything? Including stock cams and stock chip? Because that plus the alcohol content is about the only chance you'll have. There is no way you're going to get performance ground camshafts through a test that is probably stricter than the one the stock cams were designed to.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but as was pointed out earlier the overlap or tuning in your cams is going to make passing this test impossible without a dyno and a team of engineers. Forget technicians with random advice, other than the one who thinks compliance can be purchased. His is probably the only way but that has many risks that you should hesitate before considering especially in another country - your car will be a magnet for scrutiny and there are probably big penalties for you and the "provider" but for you it could include the car crusher.

I hate raining on your parade but maybe you get some temp time to drive around? Spend it enjoying the car, or swap in a Lexus v8 with ECM running standalone to drive the car around during your stay... I think the shop that passed our Canadian delivery ZR-1 on the Mass emissions dyno waited until another 350CID v8 came in. Everything we did was of no use. Thankfully Mass changed to OBD2 before the next cycle.

I am so sorry.
- Jeff

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by batchman

Anything? Including stock cams and stock chip? Because that plus the alcohol content is about the only chance you'll have. There is no way you're going to get performance ground camshafts through a test that is probably stricter than the one the stock cams were designed to.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but as was pointed out earlier the overlap or tuning in your cams is going to make passing this test impossible without a dyno and a team of engineers. Forget technicians with random advice, other than the one who thinks compliance can be purchased. His is probably the only way but that has many risks that you should hesitate before considering especially in another country - your car will be a magnet for scrutiny and there are probably big penalties for you and the "provider" but for you it could include the car crusher.

I hate raining on your parade but maybe you get some temp time to drive around? Spend it enjoying the car, or swap in a Lexus v8 with ECM running standalone to drive the car around during your stay... I think the shop that passed our Canadian delivery ZR-1 on the Mass emissions dyno waited until another 350CID v8 came in. Everything we did was of no use. Thankfully Mass changed to OBD2 before the next cycle.

I am so sorry.
- Jeff

Well, I guess not anything like changing back to stock cams. If it were a standard SBC, sure.

I'll figure it out and if not, just store it until I return if that is the destiny. At least the car is with me and garaged.

Nothing to be sorry about. I asked for opinions and that I got.

[mike100]

It sounds like a federal compliance test like the EPA would give to be able to meet spec to import/sell rather than a field level 'smog check'. Now if they are testing to 1990 standards, I'd think you might make it with stock everything.

Sort of reminds me of Tom Cruise's character in Rainman trying to get those grey market Lambos to get certified for import.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by mike100

It sounds like a federal compliance test like the EPA would give to be able to meet spec to import/sell rather than a field level 'smog check'. Now if they are testing to 1990 standards, I'd think you might make it with stock everything.

Sort of reminds me of Tom Cruise's character in Rainman trying to get those grey market Lambos to get certified for import.

Thanks Mike. It is really difficult to understand the requirements or testing procedures as there are about 12 tests. It sounds quite severe and all I was provided is the max allowable and my readings. I did find a specialty performance shop that if you have google translator gives you an ideal of what kind of shop it is: http://www.advanceauto.jp/corvette/

So far they have requested all the specs including the camshafts, but SGC only provides some data as to protect his specific grind that he designed. I will provide them everything I can and they will let me know if they think they can tune it to pass. The will get specialist and have done it before so I just need to know how much and figure out if worth it or not. Had I known earlier, the gas test results from 1990 exact model could be used to pass the car without testing when certified by a specific shop; the gas tests are still out there and sell for about $1000 but I can't use it since I have already failed once and it would have to appear the car was imported by some other shop than myself. Sounds crazy and it is; this is not the US.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Well, finally throwing in the towel and giving up. I can't find the source of an air leak causing the passenger side to dump extra fuel to compensate for false lean condition. I'll put the headers back on then install new X-pipe and replace the B&B mufflers with Dynomax Ultra-flo and new tips. I decided not to extend on this tour so only a year and a half remaining so forget about trying to get the car registered at this point. I would continue, but even if I can get it to run as best as possible, it still might not even pass emissions with the strict rules here. Oh well, 1 year of trying is enough. Thanks for all the help and tips!

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

Well, finally throwing in the towel and giving up. I can't find the source of an air leak causing the passenger side to dump extra fuel to compensate for false lean condition.

Been following along through your saga, Craig. I feel your frustration with the car and with the language/culture issues.

I guess I missed it along the way where you had Stag I cams from SCG in the car. I appologize if this has been covered, but the reversion introduced by the bigger cams will cause the idle to get "cammy", but also cause the false lean. (according to the experts).

Most recently, Dominic installed the stage I cams in his car, and had that false lean and excessive riching, which he was able to adress, far as running way too rich goes (have NO idea on emmissions, due to OBD-I exclusion in IL).

Well, that sucks - not being able to get it to pass. But, on the other hand, I can't say I'm dissappointed to hear you're coming back to the good ol USA!! WooHoo on THAT, big guy!!

Sorry for your frustration - and not being able to enjoy your passion.

P.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by Paul Workman

Been following along through your saga, Craig. I feel your frustration with the car and with the language/culture issues.

I guess I missed it along the way where you had Stag I cams from SCG in the car. I appologize if this has been covered, but the reversion introduced by the bigger cams will cause the idle to get "cammy", but also cause the false lean. (according to the experts).

Most recently, Dominic installed the stage I cams in his car, and had that false lean and excessive riching, which he was able to adress, far as running way too rich goes (have NO idea on emmissions, due to OBD-I exclusion in IL).

Well, that sucks - not being able to get it to pass. But, on the other hand, I can't say I'm dissappointed to hear you're coming back to the good ol USA!! WooHoo on THAT, big guy!!

Sorry for your frustration - and not being able to enjoy your passion.

P.

Paul,

Thanks for the thoughts and concerns. I wondered about that too with the cams, but would that not be on both sides? Only the right side is showing lean. I don't know enough to know right and wrong so only going by what I am being told. I thought about just testing anyway, but it is a 3 hour drive one way (not by distance, but by traffic) and very painful so another reason why I am pansying out. I'll see what Dom has to say as I was consulting with him and Marc H has been trying to point me in the right direction to, but I know it is hard by only email and not having the car in person.

If I can find a better job than the one I have return rights to in Hawaii (my old job) then it could be in the upper 48. We still don't any probably won't have a race track in Hawaii (other than outer islands) so that sucks big time. Thanks for your comments and wishes.

Craig

[LT5-Lee]

Hello Craig,

I was reading through your trials & tribulations, which BTW, made me "kind of" glad for the only time mine is still a bone stocker.

Anyway, you mentioned an SES light, chugging / surging and a vacuum leak. Is there any chance one of the two MAP sensors might be slightly unplugged, leaking or structurally cracked? It might just get enough vacuum to not throw a specific fault for it?

My '91 felt like riding a 3 legged dog once all because the 4 prong electrical plug was not seated that extra 1/8" with a good snap of the locking tab. It ran fine until I got up to pulling a little G's and went nuts. I originally squeezed the hell out of it so there was just no way it was not seated, WRONG. The green ribbed seal around the weather pack plug rolled over and blocked it.

It was a happy fix for me, maybe you too can have a .... Happy Ending..lol.

Lee