Header problem

[bajcsi]

Sorry, N47 head... not N42...

[xray]

Pics? What kind of S30 do you have? Here's my thread documenting the uneventful install on my 1972 with L28 and stock 4-spd....any similarities?

http://classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28266&highlight=msa+6-1+header

N47 is the Maxima 2.4 head...I'm no expert on those, but IIRC the main differences were in port size and combustion chamber size/shape, not overall dimension... maybe someone with 810/Maxima knowledge will chime in.

[bajcsi]

Hmm, sorry. I haven't had the previous head on the car in many years, so I didn't remember off the top of my head which head it was. It's just been sitting on a shelf. Whatever was stock on a early 1977 280Z.

I've actually read your post before... It's one of the reasons I bought the MSA premium exhaust package for the 6->1 header.

Anyway, I went and compared the two heads last night and of course the dimensions are the same. On your car do you have new motor mounts and transmission mounts?

Check out these pics that I am attaching...

Thanks,

Brett

[240ZMan]

Wow, these pictures show the same issue I had 4 years ago when I started this thread! At the time MSA told me that the problem was with the jig used to align the header parts before welding and that it was later fixed. The second header they sent me did indeed solve the problem. But these pictures suggest they are having the exact same problems again.

FYI, the pipe that connects to the header flange has a minor bend at about 18" to level it off. I can't remember if that's how it came, or if my muffler guy added it. But that won't solve the main issue that the collector is exiting at the wrong angle.

Sorry to say this bajcsi, but I think you have to go back to MSA and have them send you a new header.

[xray]

Dumb question:

Does your midpipe have the bend mine does? The bend is not centered along the length of the pipe, and if it's on backwards it might bind on the trans mount.

That's strange to see the header stop that high in relation to the trans mount--mine definitely didn't do that. Yours is a 280 (based on the hardline positioning), so I'm not sure how the trans tunnel is altered from the 240--or if it matters. If it doesn't fit, I'd try returning them for a second set before dropping more $$$ to have someone fix your set.

Good luck,

[bajcsi]

240zman -> Ok, so a later header DID solve the problem. That's good to know. The utterly frustrating part is I've tried TWO headers now. One from 2002ish and one from after the redesign. I'm going to go back to them AGAIN. This is going to be fun. I dealt with Abraham. Who did you speak with?

xray -> Yup, I have a bend in the midpipe, and I lined it up identical to yours. Actually, I tried all 6 variations (pipe turned both ways, rotated all ways). No where close to fitting. Even more telling is that the ORIGINAL one piece exhaust that I had on the car back with the header I bought in 1997 didn't fit either. It ALSO hit the suspension cross member. So a known good exhaust failed as well.

Brett

[240ZMan]

Even more telling is that the ORIGINAL one piece exhaust that I had on the car back with the header I bought in 1997 didn't fit either. It ALSO hit the suspension cross member. So a known good exhaust failed as well.

So are you saying that now that you have replaced the motor mounts, the old suspension that used to fit now hits the transmission support as well? If that's the case, then maybe it's not the MSA header that's at fault here. In my case, I didn't change the motor mounts and suspect they were (are) the originals.

FWIW, I dealt with Sal, but I believe he left MSA a long time ago.

[bajcsi]

ACK. SORRY. Transmission cross member. Sorry about that, very busy at work.

As for motor mounts, I replaced the motor mounts and the transmission mount.

Brett

[bajcsi]

To be clear: I'm saying that I replaced the motor mounts and transmission mount. The 1 piece exhaust I had on the SAME CAR with a 6->1 header dating from 1997 does not fit EITHER with the new header(s) because it hits the transmission cross member.

Sorry. My brain has been rattled.

[240ZMan]

Ok, thanks for clearing that up. The only other thing I can imagine is that you have motor mounts that are too thick and have raised the front of the engine too much. But I've never heard of that, and given how far back the collector is, I'd guess the mounts would have to be at least an inch or two too thick - which doesn't seem very likely.

I think you're back to needing a replacement header from MSA.

[bajcsi]

Well, that if the motor mounts were too thick by a few inches the motor wouldn't even fit between them anyway Ok, I'm calling Abraham again.

Brett

[reddie73]

I also have the MSA 6into1 header, premium exhaust. Header fit fine, but problem happens with the middle pipe that bolts to the header hitting the trans support. The rear flanged pipe is not a great fit either, but again I think it is due to the first pipe not fitting properly. I e-mailed MSA and they wanted pictures of the problem. By the way I ordered the MSA exhaust 12-15-07 and received it 4-10-08. I should have known better when I ordered the exhaust and just taken the car in to a local exhaust shop.