Need pics of a stock 240Z downpipe

[Arne]

After looking at the pictures in this thread closely, I'm now pretty certain that my downpipe is original down to the outlet end of the cast/stamped Y. From the outlet of the Y back is custom. All the pictures here show the pipe going to the rear a ways before turning in to follow the tunnel back. Mine turns to the center almost immediately after exiting the Y. So since it has already been buggered by the original owner, I feel OK with whacking that part off (after the Y) and doing it better than now.

Still don't know if the Y is cast or stamped, but leaning towards stamped. I'll try to get under the car this weekend to check.

[7T1240]

Here's a picture of the "Y" on my 240Z - production date 11/70. Second picture shows where a glasspack was welded in downstream of the Y. Arne, I'm curious what you are contemplating for your exhaust?

Gary S.

[26th-Z]

Very nice pictures, Gary! That's the piece. With the tail bend still intact! I went out and looked at mine. It's too grungy looking to photograph, but 26th had a similar set-up.

[Arne]

Mine is currently much like yours, Gary, except that the original out pipe was cut off at the exit of the "Y" and a new, shorter one welded on. My entire exhaust from that point back is rusty mild steel, crush-bent 1 3/4" pipe. The glasspack is 24" long, and was welded in like yours, only a much cleaner welding job.

As for what I replace it with, I keep waffling. I like the exhaust note now, but it could stand to be a touch louder, even in my wife's opinion. I don't care for the look of the small rusty tailpipe with cheap bolt-on chrome tip, and it might be nice if the pipe was a bit larger diameter (both better flow and louder). Aluminized pipe would stay better looking for a much longer time. I also want something that looks period correct.

So I haven't firmed up my decision yet. I've considered that NOS Ansa that Clive has for sale, but by the time you factor in shipping to Oregon, that's $500. More than I really want to spend on an exhaust, plus the few Ansas I owned back in the day were not very durable, rather rust-prone in fact. It would be period-correct, though, not just period-looking.

Another option would be a Monza system. That would look period, but with the modern aluminized pipe and mandrel bends that the Ansa lacks. But I'd need to re-work the out pipe on the downpipe to match the front of the new mid-pipe (have to do that for the Ansa, also), and the yellow paint in the tips would have to go for my red car. Cost would be about $300 delivered, or $200 less than the Ansa.

Or I could have the existing system recreated using larger, aluminized tube. Say 2" or 2 1/4" pipe. Mandrel bends would be nice, but not necessary if the extra cost is too much. Still use a glasspack in the middle, but use a nice resonated angle cut tip on the end. Probably have it built with flanged joints so that it could be dropped in sections for servicing the transmission or rear suspension. This is probably the most likely option. Price would be similar the Monza, I suspect.

[Zedfoot]

I cut my Y pipe off just downstream of where one pipe is welded into the side of the other to add a flex joint and a catalytic converter. I was surprized to find that the hole in the side of the first pipe was only about the size of a quarter. Of course I torched it out to the full size of the branch pipe, but something to consider when using stock Y pipes.

I took photos, but cannot find them. If I do, I will post them.

Eric

[wmitch5219]

When I bought my car (late 71 240z), it had some Mickey Mouse custom exhaust in it. I really wanted to have as close to stock as possible, but we all know how hard those are to come by. I found a Walker downpipe that was supposed to be a direct OEM replacement, and bought it. It sat in the garage until I was ready to put it in the car, and now it doesn't seem to fit - it won't clear the tranny.

The attached picture shows the Mickey Mouse unit, and below it the Walker downpipe that was supposed to fit but doesn't. When I bought the downpipe, it was confirmed by Walker that the part number was for the 240z.

When I compare the Walker downpipe that I have to the pictures of the OEM downpipes on this thread, it really doesn't look that different. Any ideas? I have a manual transmission. Is it possible that this downpipe was for an automatic? Does anyone know the difference? Any help would be appreciated.

[Arne]

Where does it hit the tranny?

[wmitch5219]

It's been a while since I tried it, but from what I remember the pipe hit the body of the transmission (not the bell housing) just after the Y. The downpipe does not appear to have any damage to it.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

good luck with your decision Arne, I look forward to what you end up with. I know it will be classy. I am currently loving my ANSA tip, so I will throw that back into your head. The sound is intoxicating especially through tunnels and under overpasses.

[Arne]

Since that post in April, I talked about a two muffler Magnaflow system with a local shop, but then found a NOS Monza rear section similar to your Ansa, which I installed on my existing system.

The Monza addition looks and sounds good enough to allow me more time to select or build a final solution. I've got some ideas brewing on that as well, but I'm not going to get into that until I get the S30 Bolder Tint project wrapped up. Realistically, that probably won't happen until after the first of the year.

[Mike B]

Here is a picture of 6/70 down pipe when it was out.

Notice the z welded on the down pipe.

The measurements matched what Mike showed above.

Hey Jim,

I'm pulling the engine out of one of my 1969 production cars (HLS30-00210) to get it ready for paint and body work and found the same down pipe you have (with the Z medallion welded on). I don't think its stock, but yours is the only other one I have seen.

-Mike

[Arne]

Hey Jim,

I'm pulling the engine out of one of my 1969 production cars (HLS30-00210) to get it ready for paint and body work and found the same down pipe you have (with the Z medallion welded on). I don't think its stock, but yours is the only other one I have seen.

-Mike

I find this to be VERY interesting! I wonder what the story behind these is?