3.8L V6 EGR/Smog stuff to remove?

Topic: 3.8L V6 EGR/Smog stuff to remove? (Read 3097 times) previous topic - next topic

3.8L V6 EGR/Smog stuff to remove?

March 30, 2010, 11:10:01 PM

I looked through the rest of this section without seeing anything so thought I would ask. I live in Nevada and in an area where smog checks are not required. I was curious then, what on the engine could be removed without any ill effects and perhaps even improve the efficiency?

3.8L V6 EGR/Smog stuff to remove?

Reply #1 – March 31, 2010, 01:51:54 PM

I capped off my EGR a long time ago. Originally tried to get it to work better...took it off and chceked to see if it was operational and not all carboned up (it was) and replaced a control solenoid and re connected everything. Engine didn't run any better and, in fact, was a lot more "hesitant" and generally lacking in "get-up-and-go" which as we know is already pretty much non-existant on our 3.8 cars! I plugged the vac lines and it's been that way ever since.

I think EGR was mostly a 80's era "band-aid" the car manufacturers used to meet emission standards rather than improve the actual engine efficiency...likley due to requiring too much development and lack of technology on those engines. AFAIK, EGR is not used on any modern engines since they are already efficient.

I keep my engine well tuned and have not seen any problems leaving my car "EGR-less" for close to 10 years now. I drive it daily as my DD and get upper teens for city mileage and mid 20s for highway @ 70-75. I have no reservation taking my car anywhere (it's seen many trips from KS to WI @ 700 miles each way). Engine has 230,000 miles on it and still runs very well.

I left all the other emissions items in place, so maybe they're still doing a little something...I really don't know. Nothing has ever been replaced...not O2 sensors, not smog pump... Maybe they should be, but I don't see reason to if everything is running fine.

Perhaps you should try the disconnect I did just to see what happens?

I'm not an emissions expert, so another member may completely tell you the opposite of what I've said. I just know what I've done and what has worked for me. :)

3.8L V6 EGR/Smog stuff to remove?

Reply #2 – March 31, 2010, 03:44:19 PM

Pull off the cats, sell them. Get your smog pump outta there, since it'll be useless with no cats.

3.8L V6 EGR/Smog stuff to remove?

Reply #3 – March 31, 2010, 07:51:18 PM

Also interested in the this topic,
As the ol' Bird hashiznit 25, And no longer requires any emissions. :burnout:

Looking to remove any and all emissions junk/clutter/power robbers.

3.8L V6 EGR/Smog stuff to remove?

Reply #4 – April 02, 2010, 03:13:30 AM

I still run the EGR, as I need to pass emissions, and the '03 motor was equipped with it.
I deleted the smog pump when I upgraded to the '03 front accessories, which may or may not have been a good idea, as the cat was designed for a pump. I guess we'll see in october when the tags are up. My car is not yet quite a daily driver, as I still have some kinks to work out.

3.8L V6 EGR/Smog stuff to remove?

Reply #5 – April 02, 2010, 09:58:53 PM

I do not run an EGR on my carb 3.8 but mainly i got rid of it cause it was extreamly restrictive with giant tubes running through the intake and the hoses got all in my way. The bolt that held the pump on striped and i smacked it off with a mini sledge haha. I cut that part of the bracket off when i rebuilt.
I'm still running a cat, but i'm not sure if its doing too much ive been thinking about getting rid of it.

On electric controled engines though EGRs are supposed to add a little more power, better gas milage and so on

Check this out http://www.thirdgen.org/egrdiagnose you can read the last part quickly if you dont want to read the whole thing.

3.8L V6 EGR/Smog stuff to remove?

Reply #6 – April 02, 2010, 10:39:30 PM

That is a good link. I agree, the stock intake sucks. I was looking into a four barrel intake from Tom Morana when my original engine ate a lifter. I believe the EGR does serve a purpose, and can be beneficial when set up correctly, but if you don't care, then remove it.

3.8L V6 EGR/Smog stuff to remove?

Reply #7 – April 04, 2010, 10:48:58 PM

my egr helps so i dont have detonation when i advance my timing to use nitrous.

3.8L V6 EGR/Smog stuff to remove?

Reply #8 – April 04, 2010, 11:27:45 PM

Thanks for the link and all the responses, a lot to think about. Is it possible to test the ECM and EGR system to make sure that all is in order?

3.8L V6 EGR/Smog stuff to remove?

Reply #9 – April 05, 2010, 01:23:10 AM

Quote from: joshua.m1001;317067

Thanks for the link and all the responses, a lot to think about. Is it possible to test the ECM and EGR system to make sure that all is in order?

If your 83 Cougar has a carb it doesn't have an ECM.