280ZX exhaust

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
I'm coming around to the thought that I should beign producing a 280ZX version.

It will need to be as standard and multi-fitting as possible so :

1x manifold
1x line

Said line to have a 2+2 extension pipe and possibly (big maybe for now) the '79/81 exit necessitating another extension along the width of the rear valence.

Photos of the underneath of a ZX would be very heplful at this stage - thanks.
 

Huw

Club Member
Hi Sean

I can provide some but it won't be for awhile as the cars immobile at the moment. I remember Derrick (candyred) had some shots of the underside of his car when he replaced his exhaust. Would be good to understand what you actually want photo wise.

Huw
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
Would be good to understand what you actually want photo wise.
Engine bay showing the distance between the chassis rail and block.

Underside from the bulkhead to the rear including both sides at the rear...please.

Email me please - easier than me pulling off the photos in small format from her - thanks.
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
A recap Huw of our previous elsewhere discussions...

...to keep it all concentrated !

Hi Huw.

Ist tricky bit is an exhaust manifold that fits rh and lh drive S130s.

Then ALL models so those with steering boxes and those with rack and pinion.

I think I've cracked that (subject to a fitting confirmation) with my new street-sport manifold.

Next is the line :

Series '79-'81 = to the rear and then across and out
Series '82-'83 = straight out

Then add the 2+2 versions of each so effectively 4x exhausts needed for a minority market.

Hey 20 exhausts is still money!

Would it really be 4 different exhausts? Just add an extension piece for the 2+2 and the extra cross bit for the earlier cars can slot on to the rear silencer where a tail pipe would be for the later cars. I've changed my rear valance panel to accommodate the straight through exhaust and the exhaust hanger point is good for both types of exhaust system (early car and later car).

The 280ZX suffers a bit performance wise if there is no back pressure, or correct amount of it, in the exhaust and I've been warned off most aftermarket manifolds because of this. Is your 'Street Manifold' good to use on a 280ZX?

Happy to test one for you mate

Huw

Hi Huw.

I see it thus :

2 seater exhaust
2+2 (a 2 seater exhaust but with an extension (A) as I'm doing for the S30 2+2s which is inline under the transmission tunnel)

Late version exhaust with a 'straight-out' demontable* silencer.
Early version exhaust with an rhside elbow*, extension pipe and then a silencer (B) with another rh elbow and tip.

*Therefore for the early versions, the late silencer would be removed and the elbow fitted passing behind the rear valence (with silencer) and then elbow again to exit the valence.

You perhaps see that an 1x exhaust with some optional pipes, both of which will incorporate a silencer (A+B).

I see that as 4x different exhausts for which all will need a seperate prototype made up and therefore at least two cars :

a late and early version, one of which must be a 2 seater and the other a 2+2.

20x exhausts will probably just about pay for the time and tooling.

I'm still inclined to serve the older S30 market with its 'simpler' design and single extension pipe for the 2+2s.

I'd love to do S130s as I believe that there is a market developping but I need the cars on my ramp over here !

The manifold won't affect back-pressure** but the exhaust might......however, most (are there a lot ?) after-market S130 systems don't appear to have a centre (front and first) silencer which may explain the symptom found.
Mine would have but we'll wait and see** as there are two currently being fitted to 280Zs which share the same injection and air-flow meters.

I can't use yours as you have no rhside exit (or do you ?) and I'd still need a 2+2 to calculate the extra length and where to insert it in the line.

Still not you do need four separate systems variants but I can see where you are going.

Any road will be interested to see how you go, as I would love to try one of your manifolds but would really need the rest of the pipe!

And no my car no longer has a right handed exit, didn't see the point in the extra superfluous bit of pipe.

Cheers

Huw
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
I'm coming around to this idea :

a one-fit exhaust manifold.
a one-fit exhaust line* and **

*with extension pipe for 2+2s

** and choice of rear tips, either :

a straight tip fitting onto the generic silencer just behind the LH rear wheel or

an 'S' with a tip to exit on the RH side

My thoughts at the moment are :

that an S130 exhaust ought to be less 'performance driven' than those for S30s and therefore much, much quieter.

will owners really want a manifold and simply a syqtem to link up with their OEM engine-bay pipework ?

Thoughts ?

Any any other owners can join in.....please.
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
5 1/2 months later and we're not exactly over-brimming with feedback and ideas....I wonder if it is worth me doing this ?:(

I have recovered an early 2+2 upon which the trials will take place because if the manifold (s) miss the steering box, they'll be fine for the later versions of which I have access to a late 2 seater.
 

Mr.F

Inactive
Make a 2+2 centre box and indicate where to cut the extension pipe to match the back section on a 2 seater which remains the same for both models.
If you want a rear transverse pipe as a pattern I have several NOS available.
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
So, rear exit.....:

single pipe or double ?






(I know what I'd have....;) )
 

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samuri-240

Well-Known Forum User
The twin suits a 280, how come the tailpipes exit on different sides in your two pics, bare in mind I know nowt about 280zx's apart from I'd love a 2 seater one.
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
I thought that 1979-1981 cars had rhside exits and 1982/3 had lhside exits.

Strange how the two pictured above are both 1982 'X'reg'd cars that I would have expected both being a lh side exit although the blue one has had a new stainless system fitted.

Only the maroon one here is from 1983.

Another striking feature which confuses me is that the blue one has the late engine cover but early brake master cylinder (1x reservoir).

No doubt someone smarter than I will come along and enlighten us....:thumbs:
 

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Arkwright

Inactive
I suppose that now I'm a pensioner / 280zx 2+2 owner all I am concerned with is economy. I'm not bothered about performance or lack of it. I just love the car.
 

Huw

Club Member
Another striking feature which confuses me is that the blue one has the late engine cover but early brake master cylinder (1x reservoir).

No doubt someone smarter than I will come along and enlighten us....:thumbs:

One cylinder brake master is the late version. The tandem master cylinder is the early type.
 

Mr.F

Inactive
Late 81 manufactured cars sometimes show a mix of pre and post facelift parts. I have seen what externally looks like an early car with the late rear brakes and CV driveshafts, so possible there is some confusion with exhaust exit as well. The parts CD shows 09/81 as the official manufacturing date of change from RH exit to LH exit.
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
Thanks Mike - that's earlier than I thought - kinda decides it for me I think that I'll go for a LHside exit only which would avoid compromising a pretty-looking rear silencer.

Early car owners can make a lhside exit hole in the rear valence and either leave or fill in the rhside hole.

Interested (by mail) to hear and see what you can propsoe as OEM piping please.
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
Hi Huw.

Honestly - no !

I have sourced both test vehicles and I have various options on exhaust manifolds and rear silencers but following a shoulder operation late May, I've not been able to drive (to the workshop) and then (heavy) work upon them. My aim now is to have a working prototype for the end of September and if I determine that there is enough demand, a modest batch for Spring 2017 in both 2+2 and 2x seater versions.
My feeling is to go for a LHside exhaust exit with (and I say here....) 'perhaps' and option-pack for a RHside exit.
 

Huw

Club Member
Sean no problem. Spring would be good for me as will be in the market for header and full pipe. (2 seater, LHD exit - but you knew that).

Cheers

Huw

p.s I can empathise with the shoulder issue, having had similar took me a long while to heal.
 
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