cheesepocket Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Well, I went pretty budget on most of this LS1 build, but decided I wasn't talented enough to make my own exhaust and know a guy locally here in MN that does some kicka$$ metal fabrication work. We did a mild steel mandrel bent system which he TIG welded together with some nice sturdy flanges. I also wanted a different look to the rear, and had him close off the factory opening and had made room with the tank pretty far forward to do a center exhaust. Now that I have this spendy and purty exhaust I have it in to be ceramic coated satin black, should look good and hopefully not rust. I should be taking my first drive in June, and having worked three years to get to this point, it's about time. I went with the X-pipe and Magnaflows based on listening at a number of sites of recorded LS sounds. Though I haven't heard it yet as my dash is out along with part of the wiring harness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rags Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Wow. I gotta have it! Do you have any more pictures of the tank install? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrSideways Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Cool. Very cool. Can't wait to hear a sound clip. Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kj280z Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 More info on the fuel tank x2!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheesepocket Posted May 25, 2011 Author Share Posted May 25, 2011 Thanks for the comments on the exhaust. I can't be proud, all I did was write a check. Regarding the tank: I went to a ton of trouble trying to make the factory Trans Am tank work because of $$ and also because I wanted a factory style in-tank pump. But that turned out to be a heavy, ugly, non-symmetric deal with not much exhaust or fuel filler pipe room. Google pointed me in the direction of Tanks Inc. here in MN, (320) 558-6882 who make a universal tank, P/N USPT-G-H along with the P/N UMS universal mounting straps and P/N PA-4 250 GPH in-tank pump. Tank was $215, pump was $210. Pretty straightforward, using the usual Vette filter/regulator and a Painless pump relay kit. The tank holds approx. 15 gallons. Here are some pics of the mounting, pump and fuel level sender. It's all in the car now, worked exactly as planned, started on the first twist,though since I haven't driven it yet, I guess it's possible I could run into a fuel starvation thing maybe. They do provide sort of a well internally around the pump pickup so I hope that's good enough. The factory filler neck lines up pretty well, with some adaptation courtesy of some welded exhaust pipe adapter pieces. In the pics you can see the forward hanger mounts that I spent way too much time on, along with the stainless hard line I ran from the filter/regulator all the way up front to the fuel rail inlet. I had previously removed the spare tire well and welded in some flat steel sheet, and I cut holes in the top in case I need to access the pump or sender. I still need to figure out what to do with the tank and pump vent lines. I've heard of people doing a charcoal filter right on the end of the line, not sure yet how to handle it. Glad to offer up an option to the Z community that has been so helpful to me during this build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nullbound Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Good info on the tank and definitely a nice exhaust. I just had a similar exhaust system done on my 260, but without the mandrel bends. I wanted to do the mandrel bends, but that made it considerably more expensive. Very cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zed240au Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 that is one sweet exhaust well done great work has inspired me consider removing tyre well and make new exhaust mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 tuff z Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 very nice indeed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PalmettoZ Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Excellent fabrication, very neat and clean. I'm jealous. Starting on my exaust soon and you just raised the bar way high. Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sq_creations Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 I dig the exhaust. Nice work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auxilary Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 that looks fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyro Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 where is the filler tube for the tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheesepocket Posted May 27, 2011 Author Share Posted May 27, 2011 where is the filler tube for the tank? You can just barely see it on the right side in the top view tank pic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUNNY Z Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 Definitely unique. I'd like to see a photo-chop of dual dual tips though. Vette-esque. Not discounting your system, I think it looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ApexGoblin Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 (edited) if you have the supporting photos you should do a write up on that tank install. thus far it is my favorite tank conversion that i have seen, very clean and it appears easy to use. props! Edited September 21, 2012 by ApexGoblin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSM Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 What did the exhaust cost when you wrote the check? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheesepocket Posted September 25, 2012 Author Share Posted September 25, 2012 Several checks, first to get the mandrel bends, then to have the guy do the work, added up to a little over $1000. Keep in mind he also closed up the original exhaust hole and modeled up a nice sort of flanged center outlet for that cost. I'll do a writeup soon on my LS conversion. I won't re-hash the stuff other guys did that paved the way for me, but rather just the unique stuff I did to get by certain obstacles that hopefully would be useful to others. Car is driving, but still have nagging drivetrain noise and vibration from the driveshaft or diff. Changing back and forth from CV shafts to original 280 U-joint shafts haven't made a difference. Going away from my poly diff mounts and back to rubber to see if that helps, fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUNNY Z Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Car is driving, but still have nagging drivetrain noise and vibration from the driveshaft or diff. Changing back and forth from CV shafts to original 280 U-joint shafts haven't made a difference. Going away from my poly diff mounts and back to rubber to see if that helps, fingers crossed. Where in the rpm /mph range is your vibration? T56's are notorious for the 5/6 gear vibe. Mine pulses pretty bad in 5/6 around 80, but if you drop it in 4th, it goes away. I thought I had issues with alignment or balance as well at first. If thats the case, then it can be fixed for like $150, if you have the tranny torn down. It has to do with the size of the main shaft where the 5/6 gear is pressed on. I did get rid of a bunch of noise when i went from u-joints to cv shafts, however. Plus I'm not afraid to beat on it now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dans toy Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Good choice on mufflers. I used them on my car. They have a quiet tone when cruising but let you know when you get on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheesepocket Posted September 26, 2012 Author Share Posted September 26, 2012 The vibration starts to come in at about 65 mph and it doesn't matter if I'm in gear or coasting. i haven't tried 4th gear to see if it's the gearbox. There was a bit of backlash in my boneyard 300zx turbo cv shafts so to test I put the stock 280z U-joint shafts back in. Backlash went away but the high frequency vibe is still there. I'll start a new thread in the Drivetrain section once I've tried the new rubber bushings and had the driveshaft shop check out the shaft I got new from JCI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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