- Hey everyone. A good friend of mine showed me a silver RB26 240z awhile ago and I instantly fell in love with Datsun. About a week later he showed me an ad on craigslist for a 280zx and I bought it that weekend. I have had this 1982 280zxt since May of 2011. It has had its issues, but it has been solid since I've had it. Now I want more out of it.

- I'm now starting to upgrade anything that goes out in the car. I plan to do everything in groups/systems, so I'm not always at the mechanic. If possible I would like to do as much as the work myself. This being my first car, I don't have many tools or experience. Although I did replace the alternator and starter myself already, and I do my own oil/oil filter changes.

- My plans for this is to post pictures and updates as they happen. Hopefully you guys can help with what options I have for upgrades, what I might also need, suggestions, and help and guidance.

Anyway, here's my baby.




The first "system" that is being upgraded is the exhaust system. I have been having trouble passing smog, so I have decided to get a new catalytic converter. To go with the new cat, I will be getting 3in mandrel bend stainless steel pipes, and a new muffler. I would like good airflow and a deep low exhaust sound without getting too loud. I was thinking of getting a simple Magnaflow Cat with a simple Magnaflow Muffler.

My only questions are:
- Will the cat and muffler even fit? I used the same cat Magnaflow suggested just with a 3in in/out, and I measured the muffler I have, and it's about the same dimensions as this new one.
- Will this setup be loud? Because I don't want anything too crazy and loud.
- How much should something like this cost? I don't want to get ripped off.

 

3" stuff will fit just fine in your car. a good exhaust shop will be able to fab up a custom exhaust without a problem. i dont know prices as it seems in the usa its far cheaper than north of the boarder. loudness is a judgement thing, with a turbo and cat and muffler you should be alright. if you try and find a magnaflow dual chamber it lowers the rumble and the sound to a nice deep tone ive found, even on my 4 cylinder altima. here is the stock setup type muffler but from magnaflow http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/s...=main&id=10417

 

Nice ZXT!
Jamal

 

Welcome to the forum! Car looks great. A nice solid platform to build from....

Magnaflow is nice but it will make a more "domestic" sound. I really like the Walker Ultraflows mainly because the have the highest flow numbers which is exactly what you want for a turbo system. Go the oval 3" if you want to mellow it out a bit of round 3" if you want loud. Don't forget the turbo will attenuate about 1/3 the volume of a NA car.

 

A comparison of the stock setup and the new 3in setup is on the way. In the mean time, I'm thinking of doing either the brakes or the suspension system next. Any good suggestions on setups?

 

Tokico HPK255. Stock brakes are fine. If you need more get the KVR carbon fiber pads or a set of Porterfields