oil pan gasket / exhaust leak post upgrade
 

I have a 1982 280zx turbo that I purchased for $750 in Portland.

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It was running but had a exhaust leak and leaking valve seals and leaking water pump. I read a lot in the forums and I decided to overhaul it. Had the head out to get reworked, new seals and valve guides, and three sides resurfaced.

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Had the exhaust manifold resuraced. I have installed a new timing chain, tensioner, water pump, alternator, radiator, intercooler piping, JWT ECU, cobra MAF, TRE 255lph fuel pump, 420cc injectors, fuel rail, fpr, 240sx throttle body, T3T4 turbo, wide band A/F sensor and gauge, boost gauge, fuel pressure gauge.

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First test drive no boost, and new exhaust gasket still leaking. Installed a new remmax exhaust gaskest. Second test drive around the block turbo spooled up and pulled hard. When I got back noticed oil leaking out of the oil pan gasket. Looks like it tried to push the oil pan gasket out. I retorqued the oil pan bolts and it looks like it might have stopped the leak. Third test drive turbo spooling up and pulling hard ~8 psi. and looks like the oil pan gasket is holding. But when got home I noticed exhaust leak I think it is leaking from the connection at the bottom of the down pipe. Anyone ever have issues getting this exhaust connection to reseal? I have tighened it twice. Seems to leak after it warms up.

Thanks

Sounds like a good excuse to fab up a downpipe and take care of what looks like a 3" exhaust but is actually a double walled 2 1/2" system. Even with a stock T3 the stock exhaust is a choke point so with your T3/T4 you're even more choked. The stock downpipe is only 2 3/16" at the turbo....

I agree I am planning a phase II with 3" vband down pipe and 3" exhaust. I was just trying to get a good feeling / baseline my mods so far. Found one of the exhaust bolts galled and not tightening the clamp properly. I got the galled bolt removed and chased the threads on the stud. Replaced the bolt and now it looks like it is sealing better.

Any ideas on the issue with the oil pan gasket being pushed out and having to re-tighten the oil pan bolts?