I was thinking about doing modifications to my Z, such as headers/modified exhaust, or other things to boost my horsepower and still retain the original Z status. If you have any links or places to look, I'd appreciate the help.

 

well, fill me in on what would be done for head/cam work...

 

well not according to BRE

if you get the BRE book i think its titled how to Build and Race your 240Z & 1600

they do some bolt on mods and dynoed the difference and there was around 15hp for putting headers on opposed to the nissan exhaust manifold and that was on an L24

My advice would be to read a couple of those types of books as they give you a good insight into how the car will behave after certain modifications.

Personally i would:
Headers and 2.5" exhaust (sounds cool)
tripple 40mm webbers or equivalant
more agressive camshaft
change your points ignition over to electronic off a 280ZX
get a 3.9 R180 diff

that combination will give you a really fast zed car that will give most things a run for their money and they are all bolt on modifications !!

but as a warning that setup would chew through the fuel like it was going out of fassion.....

 

well, as of right now, I've upgraded to a Pertronix Electronic Ignition, and that's about the only true performance upgrade that I have done to my car. I was looking into headers and such, but to be honest, I have no idea what I'm looking at. Thanks for your help!

 

Just remember to get more power you need more air to flow freeer. So you need a good large throtle body. I am going with 3-2-1-21/2 headers I already have a 21/2 straight exhaust with no cat. A modified cam is about the only other thing you can do look for good duration in the lift and stiffer valve springs. These are the mods I am doing over the winter along with a rebuild of the engine. I will let you know how it goes.

 

hey, thanks alot, I appreciate it, I'll have to look into all of that then!

 

I went to Motorsport Auto, and I'm getting MSA 6 into 2 headers, with the 2 1/2" exhaust pipe, and I'm probably going to put a flowmaster or something like that on it, something that'll make it growl more than my glasspack does now

 

I run a flow amster on a 21/2 exhaust and it does have an awsome growl to it.

 

and a big 4in. exhaust from as far as you can see from the back.

 

Are you saying that 260 has dual carbs and 4 inch exhaust. That is way to big you have no back pressure which means you have no low end power. If you had a turbo you would be OK. 21/2 is about the biggest you want to go on a N/A Z.

 

ok you might be right but I think it is 2.5 to3in

 

dual webers, was not driven w/out air filters

 

Unless that has a severly cammed motor with 10 or higher compression, and since it is running the stock mikuni carbs i am pretty sure the person researched like I did and maxxed the exhaust at 21/2 for best overall performance of the motor. Without turbo a 3 inch is still to big. A turbo can utilize a bigger exhaust because it expells more air and cannot handle back pressure like an N/A car does. N/A need back pressure for torque, back pressure on a Turbo will kill it. If you do truly have a 3 inch exhaust with headers then you will want to change your carbs to either a triple setup of a 4 barrel adaption or Turbo.
I dont mean to sound negative that Z is very nice I have had 13 of them. It will probably be the best car you ever own. The body looks good. The motor looks like it was maintained very well. Crawl around under it check the frame rails. Jack it up and if the rails dont give they are good. That is a very rust prone area on early Z,s.
Good Luck with it.

 

From what I can see at that last picture you should have a 21/2 exhaust cause that header is only about 2 inch pipe. I dont think weber made side draft carbs they make down drafts for the Z. I had a 240 last year with dual webers and they were down draft.
Just take some time I know you are excited and you should be that is a nice Z. Check things out and enjoy the car. From what I can see you will have a very fast setup. Go to a mall parking lot on a Sunday morning and practice driving it. I still do that and i have been driving longer than you have been alive. It is nice to have an open area hwere you can push your car and yourself farther than on a raod.

 

prob 2.5 in w/ 4in tailpipe engine was rebuilt 8yrs ago and they put in a performance camshaft. I plan on putting in a nice sound system but no overly powerful subs and a cd player. New carpet and console. you got one on your parts car? This will be my first car if you did not know already. And definitely a wooden Nardi style steering wheel

 

I have a huge parking lot at a dead wal-mart (20 acres)
that is an amp in the back.

 

That steering wheel loks like a ZX. The amp shouls be relocated to the wall behind the seats. I run 2 amps in mine with a cd player 2 6x9,s and a 10 inch sub.

 

the steering wheel is ugly and the amp is just sitting there on top of the carpet. I am going to buy this car in a few weeks when I have all of the money (need $350)

 

Have you unscrewed the black ***** on top of the carbs to check the oil for the pistons yet. also how long have the air filters been of the car ? Put your fingers inside the carbs and see if you can push the piston up and let it down freely. I use to use marvel mystery oil in my SU,s when i had them.

 

Back to Airpilots question. 1st gen Z's were actually the few cars that had well enginered exhaust manifolds. The only type header that will give you a noticeable increase would be an equal length header. Right now i have a Clifford 6-3-2 unequal length with a customized 2 1/2 piping, no cat, and magnaflow muffler from the header back. It sounds cool, but there i gaurantee you no horsepower was gained. When I get my suspension in shape, carpet and a few other things, Ill order a 6-1 header from ArizonaZcar and have my muffler shop weld me in a new flange.


Remember, an engine is like a pump. The air you take in the more you get out, the more power acheived. Point being: look into an aftermarket intake, Ebay has those intakes with the K&N cone filter for sale @ $105.XX MSA sells the same ones for around $130.

 

this time change really messed me up today so I got up too early. Any way I will go over there today and check the carbs and mabey take some better photos of the carbs and the exhaust. this z also has a nice header on it.

thanx dude

 

The only thing you need to worry about is Rust. I dont know where the car si. But if I was you I would jack it up at the frame rail on both sides. Watch the frame not the jack heigth. If the frame gives or statrts to bend dont get the car. Otherwise the motor looks good. Does it run ?. Dont start it without the aircleaners. those SU,s dont like dirt at all. If you dont mind me asking what are you paying for her ?