Jaymanbikes

Finally got the exhaust up high enough to keep from scraping. I must say however after installing the header, the car is a lot louder than I anticipated. I ended up purchasing a very small stainless resonator, approx. 14" long with a dia. of 3.5" on Ebay. The guy at the muffler shop told me I was wasting my time having him install it, he said it wouldn't have any meaningful impact due to its small size. I told him to do it anyway. The end result was excellent, it reduced the noise at idle a little and a lot under load. It also eliminated the drone at cruising speed. Very happy with the results.

Do you have the MSA system? Do recall what the shop had to do to get it tucked? I took it to the muffler guys once before (prior to installing the header). They told me there wasn't anything they could do that wouldn't put the exhaust in a bind. The mid pipe on the MSA system is flanged on both ends so no real adjustment short of bending. I had to cut the mid pipe to get it coupled to the header collector so that flange is gone. Maybe that will allow some upward twist. I only need it to be moved upward about 1" or so.

Finally I have it mostly put back together. I had all the metal parts Zinc plated which was a lot of work, fortunately I had two of everything so I was able to disassemble the car after I got the parts back. I didn't have to trim any of the heat shield with my header installed which was great. A few details and then the hood can go back on and off to the muffler shop. I purchased a 2.5" exhaust system from MSA awhile back and it hangs way low back near the diff. I suspect I will just have to have a custom piece welded up to get it right.

I did, I used the paint and clear from Scratch Paint company, it's pretty good stuff. Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

MSA Fiberglass w/rattle-can paint job.

I also ordered some seat covers and they came from Pakistan. I was amazed when they showed up in like 4-5 days. The ad on EBay said they would do different color stitching, the picture in the advertisement had gold. In the comment section I asked if I could get silver. I got no response so my expectations that they would come in w/silver stitching was very low but they did. I'm very happy with them! I also stitched in an inflatable lumbar "bag" that I purchased through MSA, I'm glad I did it!

Thank you!

I have a new set of fuel injection plugs for my 280z's wiring harness. The wires leading up to each plug look the same so my assumption is it doesn't matter what side of the plug they are attached to? If someone could comment I would appreciate it.

No webbing, that's the shield, look closely, it's a slightly different color. Not sure I like that though. Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

Yes I did, I had it powder coated and the EGR welded up. Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

Thanks for the tip. Here is a little mock up pic. Lots of work ahead. Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

I have some rust, surface primarily that is below where one of the copper lines transitions into the flex line. It is from an old brake fluid leak. My thinking was that if I yank the motor I would like to take care of that properly. I have decided against yanking the motor not enough time to take it that far. Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

Here is where I am at now, lots of cleaning ahead. Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

Thanks for the info! I have a 3-2 header, doesn't look like it will contact the bell housing, we will see. I have a long road ahead of me before I get to that point. I am waiting for all the metal components to come back from plating. I am also considering at this point if I should just pull the motor so I can properly clean the engine compartment properly. The most intimidating thing to me is the AC system which works well. Not sure how I would go about discharging the system properly. It's has the old refrigerant which is really costly to replace as well. Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

It's a 280. The header I have is also from MSA, appreciate the info on how/what to trim. Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

I could cut the last bolt off, just carefully split it with a dremel. The heat shield was the biggest pain, I cut it off from the top with a dremel. I have replacement shields and and a new intake that was powder coated so I didn't care if I damaged the old one. I am putting a coated header on and really wonder if it necessary to put on the heat shield. What say y'all? Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

I managed to get the intake bolts off without any bolts or studs breaking, I also got all the exhaust bolts off except one. I am letting that one soak a bit more before I give it another go. Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

That's my next plan of attack.

Yea, I thought I had it with the vise grips until I didn't.......

Oh man, this is perfect! I have one bolt holding the heat shield on that is rounded off, all the rest are out. Damn..

Thanks guys, ok that makes more sense, I have another intake that I am installing and was puzzled as to why there were no bottom holes. I am going to install a header so I am going to have to remove the exhaust manifold as well, but didn't even want to think about working on those rusty bolts until I had the intake and heat shield out of the way.

I am attempting to remove the intake from my 1977 280z. There appears to be only 4 bolts that hold it in place, the service manual confirms this but I can't seem to get it to budge. I did some searching and found a thread about a similar situation but it was a 1976. They were saying there was two hidden bolts on the bottom. I assume that was specific to the 1975-76? Any input is appreaciated!

That's why they call it "Resale Red"

Awesome car, if I was in California or closer I would take it. You should not have problem selling at 17-18k Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

This doesn't surprise me at all. Resto mod muscle cars are doing very well, Z's shouldn't be any different. In the end however as already pointed out, all it takes is two motivated buyers.