madkaw

When i searched the sites for headers i found very little info on bad fitting issues . Considering the amount of guys buying headers ,especially MSA headers, you would think there would be more postings of fitment issues if there were so many problems. Thus ,when i put my 300$ header on I'm expecting it to fit without grinding . Plus the fact that the port alignment was not that good. Now I believe the first header was especially bad and had a specific defect but the replacement still hit the intake. Why not sell with a disclaimer that some applications might need trimming. Sounds like the issue is with folks who are running the intakes that have the coolant passages. I would recommend that whatever header one buys that you check gasket port alignment , don't just bolt on and say it's a good fit.

Thanks,Yes I did then had parts clear powder coated. I only started this thread in order educate we members to what the vendors are offering us. I am not picking on MSA , and i waited to post anything till I had exhausted all my customer options with the company. The header is nice and the new flange works well, and if you can deal with grinding on the intake or the fact it isn't a bolt on as advertised then buy it. If you have the early intakes that don't have the coolant bowls on the bottom then you might not have to grind at all.

I figured I should put a conclusion to this header story. As you can tell from the date this has dragged on a bit. At first I complained about the fitment issue to a rep. at MSA and I sent along the pictures. Although I recieved friendly service it was not good service for the fact that I had to continually follow up with different reps to get any resolve to my complaint.No one seem to have a good handle on what was going on and things seemed disorganized at MSA. I was told that I was the only one that had this issue:surprised . Well the header got sent back to MSA after some more confusion. It was concluded that yes, the header hit the manifold like I said:rolleyes: I was sent a new header that was made differently with a new flange design. The new header flange actually has drilled holes for the studs instead of slots. It looks better and lines up better with the ports but still hits the intake in the same spot. It isn't as bad as the previous header but I still had to grind off a 1/4" or better to get clearance . At this point I have been dealing with Sal directly on this issue since I have sent some e-mails expressing my disappointment on the way this whole matter has been handled. I have told him that the new header still hits but he says that he tried it on a block with su intakes and it does not hit. So I guess i have a unique set up or something-though it is stock as far as I know. I am not writing this to flame MSA because i have been happy with many of their products ,but I am sharing my experience with the MSA header for the Z community to know. This kind of stuff goes on with all aftermarket parts ! I think MSA tries hard for customer satisfaction but I have a hard time believing that it should be acceptable to grind intakes for a header to fit properly.

The cam spray bar comes with gaskets attached to it.So just bolt it on and go!!!!!

I believe it IS stock application. My car also had moldings . They are secured to the panels with rivets if I remember (i slept since then). I know I weld filled the holes because i did not like the look of the molding for my car.

I guessed #1 also. And what's cool is that I thought #1 sounded the best anyway. Great article Dave and congrats!

Well for me it was more of a big deal because the intakes were polished then clear powder coated. Plus the ad for the header said "bolt on" with no modifications. My header was the 6 into 2 type so the header hit the forward intake. I've seen where the header was hitting someones rear intake, but don't know of anyone having my experience. MSA said this was a first, atleast that's what the representative i talked to said. I am running the same cam also.

What's with the "intake hitting the manifold thing" about. I sent my MSA header back to Sal because one of the header pipes hit the intake manifold. I didn't consider it "normal" so I sent it back. They agreed that it was wrong and are sending me a new one -haven't got it yet. I am planning to make my own twice pipes . I hope they turn out sounding as good as yours but it will be a hope and a prayer that the components i put together come out sounding like i wish. I think the sound of the exhaust is as important as a beautiful set of wheels for a car

I couldn't help laugh at myself the other day at work because i was bitchin about the fact i was short on horsepower. And I am just hoping to get a tiny 200hp out of my Z!

So Dave, what exactly is the exhaust system that you are running now. Are you running a header. By the way congrats, sounds like a fun deal you got going there and the car sounds great.

I covered the Back of all my panels with fiberglass cloth and resin.I sanded the back of the panels to roughen it up and then cleaned the panels squeaky clean.I wiped down the panels with a wax and grease prep and let dry thoroughly then applied the fiberglass. It seemed to stick well and I the panel feels indestructable but flexable. I intend on fabric covering the panel so I wanted something substantial to stretch material over but the fiberglass will make a great fix.

Try greyhound bus lines also. They have shipping also, and sometimes it works out cheaper with big items. The only glitch is pick-up and drop off for buyer and seller. If there isn't a bus station close it isn't convient.I shipped a complete dash from a zx turbo for 65$ and the box was 6 ft tall.

I will have to say that the marine clean is some of the best degreaser I have ever used. I think if you spend the dough on good paint like por-15 you should follow their instructions . Like it's been said you need to rough up the paint for por-15 to stick, if you want to utilize it's rust preventative properties you need to paint it on the bare metal.

Hey Blue Meanie, just curious as to what shop you are using and where in Indianapolis?

I was asking this question myself the other day. It was so long ago I bought my Z that I had to go and find my title to see the purchase date. I bought it back in 92' and I had to fix a oil leak right away to get it on the road. It never was my primary car so I never drove it much and basically got shuffled from garage to garage as I moved around indiana. A sticking valve took it off the road till I could fix it and that's where I lost track of time. Every once in a while my wife says " when are you gonna fix up that car", and it would always be the same answer, 'I am saving it for my mid-life crisis'.The truth was that i didn't have the money to do it right so it sat. Well I finally got a little money and mid-life is getting here quick so I need to get moving.

I found a complete 71 in a junkyard and talked them into selling the whole car. I got it for 300 bucks which I thought was pretty good considering he might have made more selling it in pieces. I got a lot of spares out of that car plus decent hardware. The worse part was that the winshield and dash was excellent the first time I looked at it and offered to buy it, but when i got back to it the next week someone had thrown a tire thru the window and ruined the dash. So hurry and get what you can especially those precious tailights!

Okay, I'm waiting to see some raised white lettering on someones set-up. Nice wheeels, can't wait to get mine. I will probably try white letter side if i can get 'em, I have raised lettering on my wheels now(sorry no pic) and i really like them .

Yes, it's the original head

Okay guys, it wasn't the best idea;but,I am fully aware of the rust potential of metal to metal. I was going to por-15 everything first,including the plug, then install the plug in reverse of the pic(it was easier to take a pic). I was also going to use seam sealer when I sealed the rest of the car. I hope I never have to worry about so much water in my car that I have to remove my plugs to drain it out !

Arne, I guess my brain is fried,because i actually posted on that thread. I remember that it was the aft intake hitting on his engine where mine the forward intake is hitting. I guess i am having a hard time convincing myself to grind a freshly powder coated intakes because the header was not made correctly. Either way, I'm waiting to hear what MSA has to say after they see the pics

That's not acceptable for a 300$ header if you ask me. I asked them if they had any other related issues and they said no -of course. I just had my intakes powder coated clear so I am not eager to grind on them yet.

anyone else had this issue with their MSA header? No# 2 exhaust pipe is hitting the bottom of the intake. To match up the gasket ,I need another 1/4 inch too. I sent them pics to see what they say.

Still waiting on my new spray bar from MSA. They sent me one ,but my luck it didn't line up with the towers . I guess I got a defective one . Sal was very helpful and has sent me another to try . I have a oil presssure guage mounted to the motor(mechanical type), and I will checking pressures with the new spray bar mounted.