How hard is it to change the exhaust manifold and gasket on an 83 280zx. I know the intake manifold sits on top of the exhaust. It looks a little hairy in there... not too much room. Anyone know of any good shops that I can trust in the Bay Area to have this done.

 

It's not so much that its difficult but more so time consuming. The easiest way to take off the exhaust manifold is to remove the intake manifold too. And if you're going to be replacing the exhaust gasket then you HAVE to remove the intake manifold because they use one big gasket for both intake & exhaust. Once it's been done a couple times and you're familiar with where the bolts are and how to get to them it becomes faster and easier to do it. If you don't want the frustration then take it to a shop. As far as which one, someone else will have to help you there, I'm some 2000 mile away. Good luck.