Advice needed

[Hrududu]

Ok, here is the deal. My 280Z is in dire need of a new exhaust. The original one was cut off right after the pre-muffler and the previous owner just stuck an old honda muffler in the hole, put a clamp on it and called it good. (this is just another reason i think he was an idiot). Anyway, it needs to be replaced. Problem is, many of the new exhaust systems are made for either stock manifold or for headers, and not usually both. Are headers all they are cracked up to be? would performance be that much better than the manifold? I ask because i need to decide whether to get the manifold or header exhaust system. If i went for headers, i would have to wait another 3 months or so before i could get it all put in, however I don't want to buy an exhaust for a manifold and then regret it a few months down the road becuase i want headers. What should i do? wait and put on both headers and exhauset, or just go for the exhaust now? the guy at the shop said i should get the exhaust fixed ASAP. Sorry to ramble, but i need some input from other Z drivers. Thanks

[Bambikiller240]

By it's self a header will get you nothing in terms of power. You would need to rework the cylinder head, add a camshaft, etc (i.e. significant engine mods) in order to gain anything with the use of a header, IMO. They are also noisier than an exhaust manifold.

[panchovisa]

Go to Midas and get the cheapest muffler that fits in the correct place. They will bend (kink) a tube to complete system. Cost about 80-100 bucks.

Save your money for a good ceramic header and quality exhaust latter.

[Hrududu]

Okay, im thinking i may take your advice on that Midas ideal. Thanks. Anyone else with suggestions, you are welcome to chime in.

[sblake01]

I would go to the junkyard and remove the exhaust system from a 280 at the point where the PO cut yours off, clean it up, and have it installed with a new muffler. That would probably be the cheapest way to go and you would have all the original clamps and hangers, shields etc. I don't know about Kansas, but here in California 280Zs aren't too hard to find in the 'yards.

[Hrududu]

Well, i tried the junkyard idea already. They won't sell me one. I asked and they told me most yards won't sell them. That, and iv'e only found 1 280Z in a yard, all the rest were 260's, 280ZX's and 300ZX's. The one 280 i found had a nice dual tip exxhaust, but it was all rusted though.

[Marty Rogan]

Like Bambikiller said, you won't notice any difference with a header, except for added noise and potential exhaust leaks.

Datsun actually did a pretty good job on the flow in the stock manifold. keep it. Get 2 1/4" pipes bent and install a nice turbo muffler. This will let the car breathe a little better and provide a nice sound as a bonus. Stay away from 2 1/2" pipes, since they tend to have a booming sound at around 2500 RPM.

Marty

[240ZX]

All of what has been said here is very true. But you may want to ask yourself, if in the future you plan on doing any up grades to the engine that will warrant installing an exhaust system with a header. Headers can be a pain in the butt, but that does not degate the fact that they do improve exhaust flow. The thing is, you are not likely going to notice a differnce in performance by JUST adding headers alone! If you do decide to go with headers, it is highly recommended that you pay the extra $$$ and have the ceramic coating applied. It will pretty much eliminate the corrosion factor and it will indeed reduce the temperature under your hood...two really good things for the extra price of the coating process. If you just want to get your Z back on the street as a driver....follow these guys recommendations.

Good luck Doormat.

[Sean240Z]

Marty,

If you install a Bullet style muffler just behind the header collector with a 2.5" exhaust, you will basically eliminate the booming sound. You can read details of my install at the following link.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12474&page=2&pp=15&highlight=header+msa+problem

Cheers,

[Hrududu]

Does anyone know the dimensions of an original muffler for the 77 280Z?

[ZedMark]

The muffler shop would be able to size a muffler for the stock location. I have a '77 that I can check dimensions on if needed. Maybe tomorrow after the rain stops.

[ZedMark]

Doormat, huh?

I read your original post again, asking for advise. If your 280 has stock fuel injection or is NA without modifications to the motor, I agree that you wouldn't gain as much at this point than if you cleaned up your exhaust piping and got a turbo muffler like these guys are telling you. I had a '72 240z with a well-fitting header and 2 1/4" exhaust, but I was pushing nearly 11-to-1 comp. and over 200 horsepower to the rear wheels, according to the State of California smog people. Save your money for now. It sounds like you might just need your headpipe lengthened, with or without a resonator, and a muffler installed.

My $.02