Con Brio

Here are some pics of my exhaust. I ran long tube headers, with heat wraps, and used stainless 'V-band' clamps to attach onto an "X" pipe. Then 2 1/2" pipe through 18" round Magnaflow stainless mufflers out into 3" Borla split tips. I wrapped the pipe that runs under the fuel tank with a heat shield to keep the temp of the fuel as low as possible. I know this should probably be posted under the 'exhaust' forum but thought the GTO guys would appreciate it here. Regards.

Hey mudjr, I know that I've already sent these to you but thought I'd post so everyone could have a look. Regards.

I don't want to say it cuz I'm afraid I'll jinx myself, but....IT'S FINISHED !!!! After the rebuild of the bottom end it's back together and running great. Well almost. I have a vibration coming from the back end. Gets worse as I climb through the gears and goes away when not under power, sounds to me like the drive shaft (right??). But appears, can be heard while driving, to be coming from the right side of the car only (?). I installed the 280ZX CV axle conversion from Modern Mototrsports maybe I need to have a look at clearance issues with the rear sway bar. Just happy to have it on the road and driving it !!! Only a few weeks left of nice weather up here in Canada and I need to get 500 miles on the clutch for break-in. I'll sort the vibration out later. Thanks again guys, and of coarse Chelle, for all of your positive comments and assistance. Hope to meet some of you in person someday and shake your hand. Kind Regards. Mark ...a.k.a. Con Brio

Hey 78Z/250GTO, I have an old Alpha 1 kit as well. Purchased it complete and did a rebuild over the last 3 years. The previous owner experienced front end damage and subsiquently replaced the clip with a one piece tilt from VR Engineering. Do you know if the owner built his car or purchased it complete?? Pics??? If you're ever looking at selling the other kit please drop me a line first. Kind Regards.

Just installed mine last week (I'll post some pics later). Had a local guy with an english wheel make them up. Took him 3 tries to get a set that was "not bad". Asked him to make me a couple of extra sets and he said "No f@*%ing way!!". Then sent them out for chrome. Up close they look don't look great, 5 foot rule is best. Would have liked a set that was curved, mine are flat metal. The car has the VR Engineering one piece tilt front end so McBurnie's wouldn't fit. This is one of the hardest parts to fit and finish. Both because of the complex curves involved and it's such a predominant finishing piece (IMO).

Sure Chelle. I'd be more than happy to help you or anyone in what ever way I can. That being said...mudjr12, I didn't forget about your request for pics of the latches. I have some old pics I can send you now, e-mail might be easier they're a big file. Or I can take more detailed pics at the end of the month, never had a chance to last time around. The best would be for me to pull one of the fenders off so you can get a view of them from the back. If you like what you see from the first set of pics let me know what areas you want in more detail. Kind Regards

...another pic

I've got the exhaust finished. Decided to pull the tail pipes in a little closer together. And have them follow the contour of the body. Went with Borla dual tips that have an angled cut. Rather than the tips that run straight out. Was looking for a way to gain more clearance. I placed the old exhaust pipes under the car to give an idea of the changes.

Hey mudjr... Will do!! Not back in Regina til next week though. The engine should be back from the machine shop by then. Regards

Hey 220, welcome to HybridZ. John deserves all of the praise he has received and more. He is one of the best guys I've ever dealt with. I hope he gets a chance to read this thread, sometimes it goes unsaid. Keep us updated on your VR. Everyone here is great and the positive feedback you'll get will generate motivation.

Trying a exhaust heat shield (Thermo-tec) on my tail pipes. The pipes run directly under the tank and I'm looking for a way to keep the heat out of the fuel. These claim to reflect 95% of the heat. Once installed they look kinda cool too. I used header wraps and was happy with the results. Although they are suprisingly susceptible to damage.

End of July I hope...

Cleaned the engine compartment today. Welded in some of the extra holes and installed a remote oil filter system (dual). Organized some of the wiring harness a bit better and changed a few AN fittings and braided lines.

Hey Duke... Not good. Engine's out. The cam is shot. New bearings, rings, cam, lifters, push rods. etc... Going to install a roller this time. Gives me a chance to re-do the engine bay and install a windage tray.

Thanks guys... The grill was surprisingly easy to fabricate. I used a piece of 2' aluminum stock, needed about 8'. Then cut it into lengths, notched it and welded the joints on the backside. Then to eliminate any irregularities I ran a sander over the front to level it out. Took the idea/design from some of the later models (348 etc). To do it again I would have made the holes (rectangular openings) a little bigger, 1/4 inch wider. And started with a strip in the centre working my way out.

Install them with the cone side down (facing the strut).

Can't figure out how to get more than one or two pics on at a time...sorry about that

more...

more pics..

Here are some pics...the headlight trim rings are still out for chrome, but everything else is in place

OMG!!!!! I threw a push rod... I'm going to crawl into a bottle of Jack...

It's finished!!!! Well, it runs terrible and has a multitude of electrical issues. But...it's on the road!!! The hood was finally painted 2 weeks ago and the exhaust went in last Fri. I'll spend the rest of this summer working out all the bugs and just enjoying it. And before anyone says anything, "Yes" I will post pics just as soon as I return to Toronto.