Removing California smog controls

[parkerbink]

Assuming (huge assumption) I am able to import my car to Mexico where I do not have to have any smog controls, What kind of gains am I reasonably to expect from removing all CA. smog controls? Are there any reasons I shouldn't? opinions please (PLAY NICE)

[Jon325i]

An engine is (more or less) and air pump. The more efficiently you can feed and extract the air, the better it will perform. I suggest the following:

1. Ditch the catalyst....that thing puts a choke-hold on your cars' exhaust breathing. Put in a racing mid-section, or test pipe, you will definately move more air.

2. For the intake, the AFM is the biggest restrictor. Replace it with a MAF set up of some kind and your motor will be breathing easier.

In the case of the M20, the most difficult bottleneck to overcome is the 2-valve per cylinder design....its only going to flow so much air. Given my suggestions, I'm not sure how much added horsepower you will gain (perhaps someone here knows from experience), but you should feel an improvement....particularly with throttle response.

Jon

[BavarianBimmer]

4-5 hp :?

[parkerbink]

Thanks for the info. Any improvement is good so I see no reason not to get rid of at least the catalytic converter.

Thanks

[hotghias]

i hate to be the environmentalist, but why don't you just get a high-flow cat and save the air?

[parkerbink]

Well from that standpoint I have been saving the air for 30 years by owning hyper low emission cars passing California emissions that are far below all other states. I don't think the removal of emissions controls that are not on other states cars is going to harm the environment.

The main thing is at this moment I cannot import it here so I am still having to reregister it in California.

I have to drive it 1900 miles (each way) to L.A. this August because it has to be smogged next year that trip will cost over 1000 dollars which I would by far prefer to put money into a header non restrictive exhaust & MAF if I can import it.....

[robert325is]

if you remove the cat, can you just run some new pipes welded where the cat used to be?