Hi again, Buick fans, I recently got a 1985 Buick Regal T-type with a 455 conversion. My question is about passing the emissions test in Texas. Would I have to have this car pass under the 1985 Buick rules? How about adding catalatic convertors to a car that is missing them? Also, could I add dual convertors for the true dual system or would I have to stick to the factory style single convertor? Also, what are your experiences with emissions testing your Buicks and what needed to be done for this to be successful? Thanks a lot in advance.
well steven, im not sure about texas, but in ohio neither one of my 455 regals stands a chance. my buick powered one is way to radical, especially since it started off life as a v6 car. the olds powered one might stand a chance seeing that it was a 307 car, but without egr valves and cats its not going to happen. i had to get collector plates for mine, but texas may or may not do that.that limits the amount you can drive them though. nice days, weekends. all though every day in texas is warm right? judging by your intake i would think that is a 70 or 71 motor so no egr. you could put the catalitic on, lean the carb out a bit and put some dry gas in. make sure to change the oil. every little bit helps. if you can find a 73-76 smog pump your could mount it up and adapt it into the exhaust to add air to the exhaust mixture also. i did that with one of my with a sbc. im sure some of the boardmembers might have some tricks also.dan
I passed in Ontario, but not by much. 71 455, cats, thermo valve, leaned the carb, dropped the idle, advanced the timing, high octane fuel... it barely ran, but it passed. Lucky strike though, the 455 and the 301 have the same engine code on the VIN - type H, but the guy just checked it was an 8 cyl. ...by the way the aircleaner you have on there is a pretty nasty restriction, a 14" open will run a good deal better.
