Air pump removal

Jeb_Bush_2000 · 02-05-2002, 12:49 AM

When my cats are gone, I want to get rid of my air pump. What's the best way to do this: a shorter belt, or an idler pulley?

Also, is there any consequence to removing it? I've heard conflicting reports...it'll either trip the computer up and make it run crappy, or free up 10hp, depending on who you ask.

Coupe5oh · 02-05-2002, 01:31 AM

I bypassed mine, no gains, but im gonna remove mine too, cuz they weigh alot, and most gains will come from weight reduction, im afraid soon as i do it, smog test will come out here, cuz we are on the verge of being like houston

upon inspection they didnt check for it, but that may be cuz i told them i had no cats.

stanger8172 · 02-05-2002, 10:50 AM

After I removed the air pump the car ran just as good as it did before, no changes.

I put in an a/c eliminator too at the same time with the short belt and felt a little more power, maybe 10-15hp.

You don't need to get a shorter belt if you are just removing the air pump. I wouldn't get an idler pulley either, in my opinion, cause I don't have one and I have had no problems with the belt or pulleys. Take care

Jeb_Bush_2000 · 02-05-2002, 12:21 PM

Now, why wouldn't I need a shorter belt?

Jeb_Bush_2000 · 02-05-2002, 12:29 PM

Now, why wouldn't I need a shorter belt?

jimberg · 02-05-2002, 01:11 PM

Jeb, removing the air pump will only reduce the front end weight a little and clean up the appearance of the engine compartment. Since you have no cats, there is no point in having an air pump. However, if you have to put your cats back on to pass smog inspection yearly, I would leave the pump in so that your cats work for the test. If not, go for it. Don't expect any horsepower gains.

You will also need to remove the pipe attached to the back of the heads which means that you will need to plug the holes with either 1" long 5/8" bolts or the real plugs.

A shorter belt will work for you, but you have to change the routing so that the belt doesn't hit itself. Here's a routing diagram:

302 LX Eric · 02-05-2002, 01:18 PM

I ditched my air-pump (no idler pulley - waste of money) and ditched the A/C. Then I just put on a shorter belt and I was done. I ended up loosing some weight, cleaning up the engine compartment and it was all very esay to boot!

Good luck,
E

Jeb_Bush_2000 · 02-05-2002, 01:49 PM

Thanks for the diagram, jimberg. Any idea what size belt I'd need, with no A/C and stock pulleys?

stanger8172 · 02-05-2002, 02:07 PM

Jeb_Bush_2000,

I realize my last post was wrong, sorry.

I just got home from school and I pulled out the March a/c eliminator instructions, hope this helps:

With stock pulleys or March set #1000/2000/2010 without smog pump Dayco belt# 5060730. As far as I know this belt only works with the March A/C Eliminator kit ($41.95 from Summit) I tried just bypassing the a/c pump with a shorter belt but the tensioner and water pump pulleys made the belt rub. I seen someone use a different bracket to eliminate the a/c as well but the March kit works well.

Jeb_Bush_2000 · 02-05-2002, 04:33 PM

Are you talking about using the March kit in place of an air pump idler?

stanger8172 · 02-05-2002, 05:03 PM

Yeah the March kit would be a better buy. The a/c compressor is heavy too. It's also easier to adjust your timing without the a/c in the way. With the kit, removed smog and short belt you'll notice a little gain, less weight, and more room to work.

Jeb_Bush_2000 · 02-05-2002, 08:59 PM

But I don't have any A/C at all. What I was asking was, do you use the March kit instead of an air pump idler pulley?

Coupe5oh · 02-05-2002, 09:18 PM

No, you can bybass with a shorter belt, i used an 84.1 i think, but with a/c (hot here) you can even leave the pump there if you want, ot remove it, mine just sits there, and does nothing but add weight.

it might take a couple trips to autozone.

stanger8172 · 02-05-2002, 10:08 PM

Yep, I use the March kit instead of the idler pulley. If I didn't have a/c to begin with then I guess I'd try with a shorter belt first.

02-05-2002, 01:31 AM	#2
Coupe5oh Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SanAntonio, Tx Posts: 734	I bypassed mine, no gains, but im gonna remove mine too, cuz they weigh alot, and most gains will come from weight reduction, im afraid soon as i do it, smog test will come out here, cuz we are on the verge of being like houston upon inspection they didnt check for it, but that may be cuz i told them i had no cats. __________________ Police package 5spd 90 Lx, Stock original motor, 3.27grs, BM fan, fms 10.5 clutch, D&D quadrant, and adjuster, ADS chip, 180 stat, mac cai, mac h-pipe, mac subframe connectors, ASP crank pulley, ripper shifter, 26x10.5 M/T sport pros welds. 246 hp according to analyzer Race weight: 3,120 E.t-13.57 with 26x10.50's e.t. streets. 1.88 60' mph- 99.92 mph

02-05-2002, 10:50 AM	#3
stanger8172 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Milwaukee,Wisconsin Posts: 380	After I removed the air pump the car ran just as good as it did before, no changes. I put in an a/c eliminator too at the same time with the short belt and felt a little more power, maybe 10-15hp. You don't need to get a shorter belt if you are just removing the air pump. I wouldn't get an idler pulley either, in my opinion, cause I don't have one and I have had no problems with the belt or pulleys. Take care __________________ '91 LX convertible , T-5, Centerforce Dual Friction, MSD Blaster Coil, FR 9MM wires, 13* timing, 1.6rr, ported/polished/milled stock heads, 1.94/1.60 stainless valves, March Performance Pulleys, K&N panel, 1"spacer, BBK shorties, 2 1/2" off road H, Summit 2 1/2" catback

02-05-2002, 01:11 PM	#6
jimberg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Rogers, MN Posts: 2,089	Jeb, removing the air pump will only reduce the front end weight a little and clean up the appearance of the engine compartment. Since you have no cats, there is no point in having an air pump. However, if you have to put your cats back on to pass smog inspection yearly, I would leave the pump in so that your cats work for the test. If not, go for it. Don't expect any horsepower gains. You will also need to remove the pipe attached to the back of the heads which means that you will need to plug the holes with either 1" long 5/8" bolts or the real plugs. A shorter belt will work for you, but you have to change the routing so that the belt doesn't hit itself. Here's a routing diagram: __________________ 351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

02-05-2002, 01:18 PM	#7
302 LX Eric or '331 LX Eric' Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 2,142	I ditched my air-pump (no idler pulley - waste of money) and ditched the A/C. Then I just put on a shorter belt and I was done. I ended up loosing some weight, cleaning up the engine compartment and it was all very esay to boot! Good luck, E __________________ 1991 5.0 LX Coupe - 40,750 miles 331 cu. in. / Tremec 3550 / BFG Drag Radials 12.22 @ 114.31 mph - w/1.89 60'

02-05-2002, 01:49 PM	#8
Jeb_Bush_2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Taxachusetts Posts: 374	Thanks for the diagram, jimberg. Any idea what size belt I'd need, with no A/C and stock pulleys? __________________ Stripped-down '93 LX Coupe -- "Danielle" R.I.P. 05/30/02 "I've seen some crazy stuff in my life, but that...was...AWESOME!!! Oh, sorry about your car, man."

02-05-2002, 12:49 AM	#1
Jeb_Bush_2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Taxachusetts Posts: 374	Air pump removal When my cats are gone, I want to get rid of my air pump. What's the best way to do this: a shorter belt, or an idler pulley? Also, is there any consequence to removing it? I've heard conflicting reports...it'll either trip the computer up and make it run crappy, or free up 10hp, depending on who you ask. __________________ Stripped-down '93 LX Coupe -- "Danielle" R.I.P. 05/30/02 "I've seen some crazy stuff in my life, but that...was...AWESOME!!! Oh, sorry about your car, man."

02-05-2002, 12:21 PM	#4
Jeb_Bush_2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Taxachusetts Posts: 374	Now, why wouldn't I need a shorter belt?

02-05-2002, 12:29 PM	#5
Jeb_Bush_2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Taxachusetts Posts: 374	Now, why wouldn't I need a shorter belt?

02-05-2002, 02:07 PM	#9
stanger8172 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Milwaukee,Wisconsin Posts: 380	Jeb_Bush_2000, I realize my last post was wrong, sorry. I just got home from school and I pulled out the March a/c eliminator instructions, hope this helps: With stock pulleys or March set #1000/2000/2010 without smog pump Dayco belt# 5060730. As far as I know this belt only works with the March A/C Eliminator kit ($41.95 from Summit) I tried just bypassing the a/c pump with a shorter belt but the tensioner and water pump pulleys made the belt rub. I seen someone use a different bracket to eliminate the a/c as well but the March kit works well. __________________ '91 LX convertible , T-5, Centerforce Dual Friction, MSD Blaster Coil, FR 9MM wires, 13* timing, 1.6rr, ported/polished/milled stock heads, 1.94/1.60 stainless valves, March Performance Pulleys, K&N panel, 1"spacer, BBK shorties, 2 1/2" off road H, Summit 2 1/2" catback

02-05-2002, 04:33 PM	#10
Jeb_Bush_2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Taxachusetts Posts: 374	Are you talking about using the March kit in place of an air pump idler?

02-05-2002, 05:03 PM	#11
stanger8172 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Milwaukee,Wisconsin Posts: 380	Yeah the March kit would be a better buy. The a/c compressor is heavy too. It's also easier to adjust your timing without the a/c in the way. With the kit, removed smog and short belt you'll notice a little gain, less weight, and more room to work. __________________ '91 LX convertible , T-5, Centerforce Dual Friction, MSD Blaster Coil, FR 9MM wires, 13* timing, 1.6rr, ported/polished/milled stock heads, 1.94/1.60 stainless valves, March Performance Pulleys, K&N panel, 1"spacer, BBK shorties, 2 1/2" off road H, Summit 2 1/2" catback

02-05-2002, 08:59 PM	#12
Jeb_Bush_2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Taxachusetts Posts: 374	But I don't have any A/C at all. What I was asking was, do you use the March kit instead of an air pump idler pulley? __________________ Stripped-down '93 LX Coupe -- "Danielle" R.I.P. 05/30/02 "I've seen some crazy stuff in my life, but that...was...AWESOME!!! Oh, sorry about your car, man."

02-05-2002, 09:18 PM	#13
Coupe5oh Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SanAntonio, Tx Posts: 734	No, you can bybass with a shorter belt, i used an 84.1 i think, but with a/c (hot here) you can even leave the pump there if you want, ot remove it, mine just sits there, and does nothing but add weight. it might take a couple trips to autozone. __________________ Police package 5spd 90 Lx, Stock original motor, 3.27grs, BM fan, fms 10.5 clutch, D&D quadrant, and adjuster, ADS chip, 180 stat, mac cai, mac h-pipe, mac subframe connectors, ASP crank pulley, ripper shifter, 26x10.5 M/T sport pros welds. 246 hp according to analyzer Race weight: 3,120 E.t-13.57 with 26x10.50's e.t. streets. 1.88 60' mph- 99.92 mph

02-05-2002, 10:08 PM	#14
stanger8172 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Milwaukee,Wisconsin Posts: 380	Yep, I use the March kit instead of the idler pulley. If I didn't have a/c to begin with then I guess I'd try with a shorter belt first. __________________ '91 LX convertible , T-5, Centerforce Dual Friction, MSD Blaster Coil, FR 9MM wires, 13* timing, 1.6rr, ported/polished/milled stock heads, 1.94/1.60 stainless valves, March Performance Pulleys, K&N panel, 1"spacer, BBK shorties, 2 1/2" off road H, Summit 2 1/2" catback

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
power steering & A/C pump removal	95stang50	Windsor Power	1	05-19-2003 07:57 AM
STEWART Water Pump issues :( ??	LOBE_50	Windsor Power	6	05-15-2002 08:34 AM
Smog pump removal	PK895.0	Windsor Power	6	04-30-2002 05:51 PM
Air pump Removal	ronny50	Windsor Power	2	09-05-2001 08:19 PM
P.S. Pump Pulley removal	Tony91LX	Windsor Power	2	06-02-2001 08:32 PM