I was there...

• GM Emission Control Project Center - I Was There

Tell us your story >

Written by Ronald W. Cox

The Emission Control Project Center was established on August 3, 1977, by Mr. E.M. Estes to "have the overall responsibility for the design and development of the carbureted and fuel injected closed loop 3-way catalyst system including related electronic controls, fuel metering, spark control, idle speed control, EGR, etc. currently planned through 1981." (This statement was recorded February 2nd, 1979)

Guidelines for the ECS Project Center were as follows: "The Project Center will follow the operational plans established by previous (GM) Project Centers. Items unique to this Project Center are:

    * No designers - all design work to be done at home divisions.
    * A Planning activity which will provide the official Project Center
      timing charts, component costs, allocations, etc.

The Project Center has seven main tasks to perform, such that an Emission System which passes all existing Federal Emission and Fuel Economy legislation is put into production. These are to work with the car divisions to:

    1. Define hardware and system requirements.
    2. Develop design specifications for all hardware required.
    3. Review alternative designs and systems.
    4. Arrange to test and validate systems which best suits the needs of all concerned.
    5. Monitor component design and release.
    6. Follow progress of divisional certification work.
    7. Keep Management and divisions appraised of progress status.

The system implementation will be phased in over three years. In the 1979 model year, California vehicles with 2.5, 2.8 and 3.8 liter engines will have a CLCC system. In 1980 model year, vehicles sold in California and 3.8 and 4.3 liter engines sold Federally will have CLCC and, finally in the 1981 model year all passenger cars. California light and Medium duty trucks may also use the c-4 system. While 1979 and 1980 systems are very similar, the 1981 system (2nd generation) will differ in that it may include additional engine control systems (i.e., electronic spark timing, idle speed control, etc.).

The Emission Control System under development has been designated C-4. This stands for Computer Controlled Catalytic Converter. The C-4 System encompasses Closed Loop Carburetor Control (CLCC) and Throttle Body Injection (TBI) systems."

Tag Cloud

English