remove emissions
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 25
remove emissions
Hope someone can help. Just got a cherry 1990 150 lariat reg cab 300ci 5 spd 82000 miles. She wouldn't pass md emisssions so I replaced cats and exhaust and everything else and she was just barely over the legal limits. reregistered her in southern Va and don't need emissions SOOO...What can I remove besides the cats to give me more power? Do I need to have a custom chip burned for the pre obd computer? Should I keep the o2 sensor? Anyone know where to get headers? ANY help would be appreciated.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,805
Likes: 480
From: Cape Girardeau MO
Welcome to the site!
Have to keep in mind what you're working with - the 300 wasn't really known for power, more for torque - while the two are related, still different concepts. The 300 is a very reliable, stump-pulling engine with a very long lifespan - upwards of 300,000 miles.
IMO - cats can go, keep the O2 sensor. It's not a pre-OBD engine - should have the OBD-I EEC-IV setup. Custom chips are an iffy thing for this era engine and controls. Be sure to periodically pull the codes and remedy whatever shows up.
Split headers should be available - there's another site - fordsix.com, or something like that which deals more towards the performance aspects.
Again, IMO, the engine is never going to be tire-lighting, racing class - think more along the lines of a serious tractor engine. Anything you can do to help it breathe better will be a plus.
Have to keep in mind what you're working with - the 300 wasn't really known for power, more for torque - while the two are related, still different concepts. The 300 is a very reliable, stump-pulling engine with a very long lifespan - upwards of 300,000 miles.
IMO - cats can go, keep the O2 sensor. It's not a pre-OBD engine - should have the OBD-I EEC-IV setup. Custom chips are an iffy thing for this era engine and controls. Be sure to periodically pull the codes and remedy whatever shows up.
Split headers should be available - there's another site - fordsix.com, or something like that which deals more towards the performance aspects.
Again, IMO, the engine is never going to be tire-lighting, racing class - think more along the lines of a serious tractor engine. Anything you can do to help it breathe better will be a plus.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 25
Thanks for the info.I,m not looking for a ton of power,just want to make it efficient as possible. Taking the fan clutch and replacing with electric and deleting the smog pump to gain a few horses. Anyone know where I can Get a clutch/pressure plate that is NOT MADE IN CHINA! FORD WANTS $450?