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Just bought our first Z (240Z)
- Thread starter Woody928
- Start date
Couldn't agree more, untimately got to go with performance over asthetiucs for me at least though...
Cheers Mike, the whole system will be up for grabs shortly. Albeit the section for the headers back is quite homemade and one single section. In all honesty I think the header will be the only real pieice of value, its in really good condition and in all honesty was suitable for my engine's needs but I'm a perfectionist and I wanted to go the whole hog so to speak...
In all honesty that makes two of us, I don't know why I haven't thought of just jacking the car onto them before really! I had two people spotting me on this ocassion but am very aware of the risk and my limited driveway options.... You will have seen the consequences of my previous stupidity, they're somthing I try to avoid.
Salt in the wound!
uk66fastback
Club Member
Can I have first dibs on the header please Mark? Or are you going to sell as one thing? Would the header you are taking off fit up to Sean's SS system from there backwards?
Let me have a think but I don't see why not, asusming I split it then you're top of the list. I imagine there's only value in the Header as the rest of the system would be collection only due to size. Good question, I have no idea....
I'll take photos and ping them over to you once its all said and done, I want to check everything works and we're happy before doing anything. Then again I know you're in no rush...
uk66fastback
Club Member
Thanks. Definitely no rush! I'm putting my old manifold back on for the moment but I would like to upgrade to a set of headers in time possibly (and one of Sean's systems if it fits that header). Was there a reason you went for this header vs the more 'Street' one'?
SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
Anything can be made to fit if you DIY and I supply you with the V-band end and clamp with which to connect to my system. If the diamater is other than 63mm (or 2.5'' for you leavers), you'll need an adapter pipe going from one diametre to the other (from ebay).
uk66fastback
Club Member
I thought it was possible Sean ... thanks for the info. 2 1/2", please ...
No worries, I can't compare to stock however I imagine it makes a big difference...
Good question, a few factors for me. Long term I still aspire to build a more powerful L28 to drop in and I didn't want the exhaust to provide any restriction later down the line and need to revisit this area so in my mind I'm future proofing,
Sean also advised that this setup offers more low down torque (3-2 rather than 6-1) which is always a winner on a road car, I wanted to replace my system from the headers back as its really not great imo (goes down to about 1.5 diameter restricting flow in places). So I though why not got from 1.5 to 1.75 inch primary pipes and well just look at the spaghetti delight...
It also has the option to add a sensor to measure AFR which I plan to do when budget allows. That's how I justified it in my mind but I'm also a bit of a perfectionist and like quality parts fitted to my cars...
Good question, a few factors for me. Long term I still aspire to build a more powerful L28 to drop in and I didn't want the exhaust to provide any restriction later down the line and need to revisit this area so in my mind I'm future proofing,
Sean also advised that this setup offers more low down torque (3-2 rather than 6-1) which is always a winner on a road car, I wanted to replace my system from the headers back as its really not great imo (goes down to about 1.5 diameter restricting flow in places). So I though why not got from 1.5 to 1.75 inch primary pipes and well just look at the spaghetti delight...
It also has the option to add a sensor to measure AFR which I plan to do when budget allows. That's how I justified it in my mind but I'm also a bit of a perfectionist and like quality parts fitted to my cars...
SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
I think you meant to say 2 and 5/10ths.
Well lots of progress made today, its been a damn long and wet day at that however the old exhaust system is now off and the new one fitted up in place....
I'm back on it tomorrow however I've got some more immediate issues to sort, to fit the Racesport manifold into the engine bay I had to remove the steering column to get enough space to squeeze it in, that in itself was fine however I now cannot reconnect it at the top because the poly coupler has expanded pushing the bolts out at an angle so I can't relocate them back into the top of the column. Anyone know how I can compress the coupler or work something out to get this connected and the steering back?
The last thing I did tonight was to start the car for the first time, good news was that it fired straight up with some choke, bad news is that its running like an asthmatic dog... I'm guessing it's a combo of full new exhaust, no more K&N's but open trumpets, and that the carbs been removed, thrown around and are out of whack. I'm planning on watching the Ztherapy DVD for guidance but any hints or tips to get it running ok would be much appreciated! I did pick up a carb syncrometer last week at least...
Last one is I need to work out where to connect the central exhaust hangar, currently it doesn't seen to meet up with anything obvious
In the meantime my temporary fitting assistant the cable tie is helping out...
I feel knackered having been scrambling around on the ground all day, and certainly have massive high lift envy of people right now however it proves its still possible. Given that I'm a complete DIY, home taught mechanic when it comes to things like this I'm quite happy with the results so far. Certainly a case of giving things a go and having lots of spare nuts and bolts around and plus gas to cover everything. Short of the suspension its the biggest job on the car that I've tackled yet!
IMG_9321 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
Definitely got a larger diameter pipe going all the way back now!
IMG_9319 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
Out with the old and in with the new...
IMG_9347 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
IMG_9354 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
IMG_9360 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
Already hidden away, seems almost criminal...
IMG_9373 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
I'm back on it tomorrow however I've got some more immediate issues to sort, to fit the Racesport manifold into the engine bay I had to remove the steering column to get enough space to squeeze it in, that in itself was fine however I now cannot reconnect it at the top because the poly coupler has expanded pushing the bolts out at an angle so I can't relocate them back into the top of the column. Anyone know how I can compress the coupler or work something out to get this connected and the steering back?
The last thing I did tonight was to start the car for the first time, good news was that it fired straight up with some choke, bad news is that its running like an asthmatic dog... I'm guessing it's a combo of full new exhaust, no more K&N's but open trumpets, and that the carbs been removed, thrown around and are out of whack. I'm planning on watching the Ztherapy DVD for guidance but any hints or tips to get it running ok would be much appreciated! I did pick up a carb syncrometer last week at least...
Last one is I need to work out where to connect the central exhaust hangar, currently it doesn't seen to meet up with anything obvious
In the meantime my temporary fitting assistant the cable tie is helping out... I feel knackered having been scrambling around on the ground all day, and certainly have massive high lift envy of people right now however it proves its still possible. Given that I'm a complete DIY, home taught mechanic when it comes to things like this I'm quite happy with the results so far. Certainly a case of giving things a go and having lots of spare nuts and bolts around and plus gas to cover everything. Short of the suspension its the biggest job on the car that I've tackled yet!
IMG_9321 by Mark Woodrow, on FlickrDefinitely got a larger diameter pipe going all the way back now!
IMG_9319 by Mark Woodrow, on FlickrOut with the old and in with the new...
IMG_9347 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
IMG_9354 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
IMG_9360 by Mark Woodrow, on FlickrAlready hidden away, seems almost criminal...
IMG_9373 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
uk66fastback
Club Member
Yes, great progress Mark. Not sure what the problem would be re the rough running ... everything is tightened up as it should be, yes?
Alphabettispaghetti
Club Member
Well done Mark. did you check you've got good seal on the gasket?
Urm I think so, I checked everything on the manifold as I went... I'll have to check tomorrow morning in daylight, just very conscious of not over-tightening anything given the lack of proper access in places for a torque wrench. Must admit I'm quite baffled...
Cheers dude, it looked like it with no gaps. Impossible to be 100% certain though.
SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
Nice work- shield looks ok.
Thanks for the kind words and suggestions guys!
Well what a day it has been! It's taken me 12 hours however I can say that the car is now sorted and moving under its own steam again Having spent the morning toying with he running issues at hand and bouncing ideas off a few people (Mainly Ali who has been my Yoda for the last two days and listening to all of my wims and questions, even taking time out of his working day to call me to talk things over), it was eventually concluded that it must be an exhaust leak that was causing all of the issues... The exhaust colour in particular supported this!
All of the ingredients were otherwise there... (Thank you to those who suggested this). Fuel, air and ignition were't issues so it meant I needed a new exhaust gasket at 10.30am
with nothing off the shelf in the UK in lots of cases.... Call in Mike from MJP (Hero of the Day) who had stock, realising my need and that my second day off was wasting away, a three hour round trip to Essex with the Dartford crossing done twice and I was back home with a new exhaust manifold gasket. Thank you Mike, really appreciated the assistance! (Perhaps on reflection should have tried the nearer venue in Fourways!)
Much to my joy I stripped everything back down again (much faster this time having done it before). Other than getting a ratchet spanner stuck on the header for a time this actually went quite smoothly. Got the old gasket off and cleaned all of the surfaces again thoroughly before dropping the new gasket in place. Not taking any chances I also smeared the back of the intake manifold ports with Loctite high temp gasket to make sure it really sealed.
Back to putting everything back into place again and tightening up so that we were all good, I made sure to replace some of the copper exhaust manifold nuts with spreader plates and smaller nuts to really make sure everything was secured this time as well. Key in the ignition and moment of truth time, full choke and she fired right up, shooting to high rpm.... Choke backed off and she was idling like a dream, queue me running around my driveway with my arms in the air like a footballer celebrating...
Carbs balanced and running well, so all fears confirmed and resolved. Heat shield reinstalled and ITB socks installed to get the car running on the road again.
Next up was the dreaded steering coupler, taking no chances I called in the big guns and got some 300mm pliers from B&Q which gave me exactly the leverage I needed to squeeze the poly and pop the bolt back in like a dream, steering is only every so slightly off but very much reconnected. Some stainless steel cable ties to help with my exhaust hang while I sort out a more permanent central bracket and it was time for a test drive....
All I can say is wow, I let the car get up to temperate first but could tell that the car felt keen from the get go. It has a great burble at low rpm without being too intrusive. Once up to temp and with the loud pedal pushed and it just goes.... Pulls strongly to around 5k rpm however the magic really starts at 4k rpm where it just sounds asbo loud and bonkers and starts screaming! and then when you lift off it just pops and crackles and farts like a symphony orchestra. Amazingly at motorway speeds though its very refined (unlike the ind noise and rattles) Safe to say I spent 30 minutes grinning like an idiot blasting around the local roads, most definitely holding onto gears longer than Miss Daisy would have approved of just to keep ringing it out. Really quite impressed with the difference its made, certainly no restrictions in the exhaust now.
At this point I really do need to give a shout out to everyone who has had input, there's been some superb advice and encouragement from the community. This is certainly the most challenging job I've completed on the car however it wouldn't have been possible without all of the help of lots of people, so thank you! I owe several people beers now...
The car is out tomorrow to be dropped off to friends at a local restoration company, the handbrake cable needs changing and I've had enough of crawling around on the ground even if I could sort it. Their high lift will make short work with the great access... Ordered one replacement from Thailand for a great price and to my surprise had two turn up on different days so that was a bonus to now have a spare...
Lots still to do, I'm hoping to get an airbox setup sorted out soon enough all being well, strut braces need to make their way back from San Fransisco and I'm getting desperate to upgrade the front brakes in some way however I've rambled on too long as it is already, here's some pictures from my very long day which for the second time in a row ended up finishing in the dark!
So here was out big give-away as to where the problems were, no real heat going through the left bank....
IMG_9393 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
Messy....
IMG_9403 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
Clean
IMG_9419 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
Fresh!
IMG_9420 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
Reassembly
IMG_9424 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
Not taking any chances... Hard to clean a load off as I realised I'd gone a bit mad and didn't want nay finding its way into the intake!
IMG_9429 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
All good to go
IMG_9434 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
Nice run underneath
IMG_9387 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
The steering coupler fixer!
DA1D76DE-046A-4EAB-A14E-2B7EA6A0CF0C by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
The finished product! (more to come in daylight rather than floodlight)
IMG_9439 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
Well what a day it has been! It's taken me 12 hours however I can say that the car is now sorted and moving under its own steam again
Having spent the morning toying with he running issues at hand and bouncing ideas off a few people (Mainly Ali who has been my Yoda for the last two days and listening to all of my wims and questions, even taking time out of his working day to call me to talk things over), it was eventually concluded that it must be an exhaust leak that was causing all of the issues... The exhaust colour in particular supported this! All of the ingredients were otherwise there... (Thank you to those who suggested this). Fuel, air and ignition were't issues so it meant I needed a new exhaust gasket at 10.30am
with nothing off the shelf in the UK in lots of cases.... Call in Mike from MJP (Hero of the Day) who had stock, realising my need and that my second day off was wasting away, a three hour round trip to Essex with the Dartford crossing done twice and I was back home with a new exhaust manifold gasket. Thank you Mike, really appreciated the assistance! (Perhaps on reflection should have tried the nearer venue in Fourways!
)Much to my joy I stripped everything back down again (much faster this time having done it before). Other than getting a ratchet spanner stuck on the header for a time this actually went quite smoothly. Got the old gasket off and cleaned all of the surfaces again thoroughly before dropping the new gasket in place. Not taking any chances I also smeared the back of the intake manifold ports with Loctite high temp gasket to make sure it really sealed.
Back to putting everything back into place again and tightening up so that we were all good, I made sure to replace some of the copper exhaust manifold nuts with spreader plates and smaller nuts to really make sure everything was secured this time as well. Key in the ignition and moment of truth time, full choke and she fired right up, shooting to high rpm.... Choke backed off and she was idling like a dream, queue me running around my driveway with my arms in the air like a footballer celebrating...
Carbs balanced and running well, so all fears confirmed and resolved. Heat shield reinstalled and ITB socks installed to get the car running on the road again. Next up was the dreaded steering coupler, taking no chances I called in the big guns and got some 300mm pliers from B&Q which gave me exactly the leverage I needed to squeeze the poly and pop the bolt back in like a dream, steering is only every so slightly off but very much reconnected. Some stainless steel cable ties to help with my exhaust hang while I sort out a more permanent central bracket and it was time for a test drive....
All I can say is wow, I let the car get up to temperate first but could tell that the car felt keen from the get go. It has a great burble at low rpm without being too intrusive. Once up to temp and with the loud pedal pushed and it just goes.... Pulls strongly to around 5k rpm however the magic really starts at 4k rpm where it just sounds asbo loud and bonkers and starts screaming! and then when you lift off it just pops and crackles and farts like a symphony orchestra. Amazingly at motorway speeds though its very refined (unlike the ind noise and rattles) Safe to say I spent 30 minutes grinning like an idiot blasting around the local roads, most definitely holding onto gears longer than Miss Daisy would have approved of just to keep ringing it out. Really quite impressed with the difference its made, certainly no restrictions in the exhaust now.
At this point I really do need to give a shout out to everyone who has had input, there's been some superb advice and encouragement from the community. This is certainly the most challenging job I've completed on the car however it wouldn't have been possible without all of the help of lots of people, so thank you! I owe several people beers now...
The car is out tomorrow to be dropped off to friends at a local restoration company, the handbrake cable needs changing and I've had enough of crawling around on the ground even if I could sort it. Their high lift will make short work with the great access... Ordered one replacement from Thailand for a great price and to my surprise had two turn up on different days so that was a bonus to now have a spare...
Lots still to do, I'm hoping to get an airbox setup sorted out soon enough all being well, strut braces need to make their way back from San Fransisco and I'm getting desperate to upgrade the front brakes in some way however I've rambled on too long as it is already, here's some pictures from my very long day which for the second time in a row ended up finishing in the dark!
So here was out big give-away as to where the problems were, no real heat going through the left bank....
IMG_9393 by Mark Woodrow, on FlickrMessy....
IMG_9403 by Mark Woodrow, on FlickrClean
IMG_9419 by Mark Woodrow, on FlickrFresh!
IMG_9420 by Mark Woodrow, on FlickrReassembly
IMG_9424 by Mark Woodrow, on FlickrNot taking any chances... Hard to clean a load off as I realised I'd gone a bit mad and didn't want nay finding its way into the intake!
IMG_9429 by Mark Woodrow, on FlickrAll good to go
IMG_9434 by Mark Woodrow, on FlickrNice run underneath
IMG_9387 by Mark Woodrow, on FlickrThe steering coupler fixer!
DA1D76DE-046A-4EAB-A14E-2B7EA6A0CF0C by Mark Woodrow, on FlickrThe finished product! (more to come in daylight rather than floodlight)
IMG_9439 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr