Not sure what to do, but here goes... My car is a '79. Therefore, it has a "Thermal Reactor" system. Problem being is, the "cooling/anti-backfire pipe is missing. I repaired my car's air pump by un-siezing it, and hooked it up. Attempted to start it up. it had trouble starting, but started. It barely idled, it smoked, it backfired whenever I rev'd the engine, I shut down. I then, un-hook the air pump, and...WOW! It starts right up! It idles smoothly! It even revs up nice and back-fire free! But there's still that gaping hole where that pipe once was, which brings me to my point (sorry for going on about this, but...). What do I do? patch the hole shut, replace system with stock/racing beat system, or just weld in a new pipe? Open for ideas. Thanks.

 

So are we talking about the hole where the air pump was? If that's the case you can fabricate a steel plate to bolt into its place.

If it's the pipe then I'm not sure. Is it an intake or output?

 

Jesus man resize your sig.





If you dont have emission testing yank all the cats off and straight pipe it.

 

The hole in the exhaust is where the thermal reactor cooling pipe once was.The cooling pipe used to run the length of the exhaust system, but it's no longer there. So now there's a gaping hole and an exhaust leak...and the air pump is still there, I just unhooked the drive belt

 

hey man on my 79 i just yank out air pump and replace exhaust with racing beat header and muffler the rest of the exhaust your locar muffler shop should be able to make it.

 

You know, I just might have the money to do that soon... Since I now have a job that pays me in money, not peanuts...thank you for the tip. by the way, what kind of horse power gains are we talking, here?

 

Extremely noticable hp gains. That thermal reactor is so restrictive, it will make a big difference. I don't have exact numbers- but I think at least 15hp (depending upon state of tune and muffler).

 

pluss it looks alot cleaner. and easier to take off cause those thermal crapers are so round you can't get a regular ratchet on them.

 

So I noticed, Thanks for the info on this stuff. More is appreciated...if there is more, that is...