Exhaust question

[littleren]

I'm probably asking a pretty simplistic question but being relatively new to the car restoration/modification thing I'll ask it anyway. I have a 73 240z and I have dropped an L28 from an 83 280zx into it. I have the 280zx exhaust downpipe attached to the exhaust manifold so I'm in good shape there and I know that my 240 exhaust won't bolt up directly to it. My question is basically what is the best way of completing the exhaust from the exhaust flange back. My 240z exhaust is anything but stock and kind of a rusty mess. I wouldn't mind getting one of those Monza systems but I imagine that the one for the 83 280zx (so that it bolts directly to the flange) won't fit the 240 very well and the one for the 240 won't bolt up to the flange. I know this is a pretty common conversion and I'm just curious as to what most people have done. I'm thinking maybe the best bet is to tow it to an exhaust shop and have them custom fit one from the flange back.

Any suggestions/ideas?

Thanks in advance.

[jfairladyz]

I'm thinking maybe the best bet is to tow it to an exhaust shop and have them custom fit one from the flange back.

Any suggestions/ideas?

Thanks in advance.

I think thats the best suggestion you're going to get unless you can fabricate it yourself. If you did purchase an aftermarket exhaust for the 240 a good exhaust shop will be able to adapt it to fit to the L28 downpipe. It comes down to what is going to be the best option for you money. Consider materials used, cost of fabrication, etc...

[beandip]

I agree with myfairladyz . If you have a shop where you can take it to that can mandrel bend a 2 1/4 set up for you this would be the better of options. I really like the sound of my Dynomax muffler and I recommend one of those. Motorsport sells a whole mandrel bent setup that you can do your self , only it is a 2 1/2'' . I have this on a like application you have . Only I am running headers . I was fortunate to receive the headers and exhaust minus the muffler for free so I went with this . For a street driven Z, the smaller of these two options is a better choice. Both for sound and performance. I have some interesting documentation along these lines if you would like to read it. Send me a PM . Attaching the exhaust pipe to the down pipe is not a big deal for a muffler shop, even if they need to fabricate a fitting . If there is a flange on your down tube they will just cut it off and weld the two together . Gary

[240ZMan]

I put an MSA 2 1/2" exhaust w/header on my '73 a few years ago. My hope was that since I was buying the entire system from 1 place, it would just bolt up. In the end I still had to have a local muffler guy tweak a few bends to get it to fit right. It would have been easier to just have him build one up from scratch, and probably cheaper too. I've read others having a similar experience with aftermarket exhausts they installed themselves.

That said, try to find an independant shop. The big chains may not take the time to do it right. My guy had me under the car with him - something I doubt the chains would even allow.