Emissions Control

Hi Folks
I live in New Zealand and I have a 1980 Chevy Caprice Classic 305 4dr sedan which I want to rip out all the Emission control junk, I would be grateful for any info to help me make this easy as possible, looking forward to any replies.
Cheers..................Kiwi Robin.12.09.2018.

If this is the same 305 V8 that came in the American version, all you should need to get rid of most of the emissions equipment is a non-computer distributor and carburetor. I don't know what speed shop or parts supplier you have available?

My caprice was imported into New Zealand in 1987, I can get most parts from Rockauto shipped to NZ at a reasonable cost

Alright. So, the first thing you want to figure out is whether or not your car has a computer controlled carburetor. I think 1980 is the changeover year from non computer to computer controlled. (Yes, they actually had a computer controlled carburetor, as opposed to early throttle body injection. They're complicated, fickle, and, frankly, a pain in the...)

If you don't have a computer controlled carburetor, it's just a matter of weeding out the unnecessary vacuum controls and blocking off the EGR valve. If you do have a computer controlled carburetor, you'll need to get ahold of a non-computer controlled carburetor AND distributor.

The following link is an example of the computer controlled carburetor commonly used:
https://www.i-5automotive.com/product/4-barrel-rochester-quadrajet-e4mc/

The only real difference externally from the normal carburetor is the addition of two plugs, one near the accelerator pump on the front of the carburetor, usually a 3 prong plug, and one on top of the carburetor, usually a 2 prong plug (shown in blue on the pictures)

I do not know of any way to convert that to a non-computer controlled carburetor.

I did this same conversion on my '85 olds wagon about 10 years ago. It's not terrible, but you need to have a timing light around if you're going to remove the distributor. Also, a vacuum gauge helps when tuning (nothing fancy, so long as it reads to about 25 inches/1 bar vacuum).

01.03.2019 09:50:20. AM NZ Time.

Kit1078

I have done a bit of research on my carburetor (17080204 M4ME) it is a non computer unit with a heated choke coil as per 'The Carburetor Dr', so on that note it should be pretty straight forward for the removal of the Emission Control stuff, I am sure Mr 'Google' will come into play somewhere.

Thanks for your input it is most appreciated, I will let you know how I get on with this in the future.

Cheers.....................Kiwi Robin.