fullmetaljacket Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 HI, I want to introduce myself as I am new to this forum. My name is Bruce and I own a late model GM performance shop in upstate SC. The name of my shop is Hawks Third Generation. I have been in business for almost 15 years and employ 12 full time people. We are one of the premier late model GM performance shops on the east coast with full fab capability and in house Dynojet 224X. We also were one of the first shops to install LSX engines into the 82-92 Camaro/Firebird and have done over 200 swaps in the last 13 years. A few years ago I started to do LSX conversions in many different cars (34 Ford coupe, 86 Mustang coupe, Miata, 240sx, 68 C10 truck,1st gen Camaros and many others) and as time has went on I search for something different to swap a LS into. A friend of mine had done several S30 ls swaps and after looking closely at them I really liked the platform so I started to search for my own to build. Once I found a car and started research there was really no one out there making a long tube header for the 1970-1978 Z cars. I will be building a blown 4?? cube LS3 so I needed a nice set of headers. I have a very long and really good relationship with American Racing Headers in NY and after speaking with the owners I decided to sign a private label contract to produce a long tube header for the S30 platform and they be made by ARH and sold EXCLUSIVELY through Hawks Third Generation. The first set which you will have pictures of below are made on a 76 280Z with a T56 transmission. We can do 1-3/4" or 1-7/8" primary tube with 3in collector. Our jigs are done and production is now under way. The first order will be in batches of ten sets at a time and depending on response will depend on which size primary customers prefer. The first batch I would say would be delivered in 2-3 weeks from the day I place the order. I am very passionate and serious about this and what we do at our shop and I hope alot of you on here can benefit from these parts being produced! Please contact me DIRECT ONLY at bruce@hawksthirdgenparts.com and let me know how I can help. These are headers only and are designed around my own engine plates which I will be reproducing as well. They will come with gaskets & O2 bungs. Prices are as follows below: Retail is $1495.00 per set either primary tube size to the door in the lower 48 states If we get 10 or more people I will do them for $1295.00 to your door in the lower 48 states Sincerely, Bruce Hawkins Hawks Third Generation bruce@hawksthirdgenparts.com 864-855-2694 ext 12 (ask for me specifically) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texis30O Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 I am in, but you know that already. We have been talking via text for the last few days..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280zjake Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 I'm in as well.Amazing how well they fit after seeing them in person. Super high quality header. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thisguy Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 To bad this didn't come up two days ago and these won't work with the common motor mount kits. You should throw the price of your motor mounts out there as well. If these only work with your mounts than that will be essential in selling them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280zjake Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 I believe they will work with the JCI mounts as well. If anyone wants to try a set with their JCI mounts I'm sure he would be willing to work with someone that is interested Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
74_5.0L_Z Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 I used to believe that $1495.00 was expensive for a set of stainless headers until I built my own. These headers look great and are a steal at the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thisguy Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 I believe they will work with the JCI mounts as well. If anyone wants to try a set with their JCI mounts I'm sure he would be willing to work with someone that is interested Very tempting but after spending all that time on my dual 3" system I think I'm going to pass. Plus the $1400+ will be put towards the turbo build this January. It's nice to know they are available though! While you guys are at it design a set of turbo manifolds I'd gladly buy those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebekahsZ Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 (edited) Stop the presses!!!! We learned something important on the last group buy header project: if you mock up your prototype on a 280z, you wind up with a product that will only fit on a 280z or a late production 260z. But, that product may not fit a 240z or early 260z. The floor pans and transmission tunnels are NOT the same. The 280z and late 260z have a much more roomie transmission tunnel for header routing. In order to produce a header product that fits all S30 models, you need to make your prototypes and jig on a 240z. I bought a set of headers on the last project and they didn't fit. Had to sell them or modify them. I got rid of them after waiting a year for them to be made. Also, if you are building for a T56, you should mock up on a 240z that has an aftermarket SFI certified bell housing, or else you will be in for a rude awakening when you try to get your car inspected to legally run at the speed that it is capable of running. The steel SFI bell housings are wider than the stock bell. There are write ups on the forum on both of these subjects where guys got surprised. I want your enterprise to succeed (I want some) but you will limit your market if you proceed as stated in the original post. Edited September 24, 2013 by RebekahsZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texis30O Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Wouldn't using his motor mounts solve a lot of the issues? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullmetaljacket Posted September 25, 2013 Author Share Posted September 25, 2013 Stop the presses!!!! We learned something important on the last group buy header project: if you mock up your prototype on a 280z, you wind up with a product that will only fit on a 280z or a late production 260z. But, that product may not fit a 240z or early 260z. The floor pans and transmission tunnels are NOT the same. The 280z and late 260z have a much more roomie transmission tunnel for header routing. In order to produce a header product that fits all S30 models, you need to make your prototypes and jig on a 240z. I bought a set of headers on the last project and they didn't fit. Had to sell them or modify them. I got rid of them after waiting a year for them to be made. Also, if you are building for a T56, you should mock up on a 240z that has an aftermarket SFI certified bell housing, or else you will be in for a rude awakening when you try to get your car inspected to legally run at the speed that it is capable of running. The steel SFI bell housings are wider than the stock bell. There are write ups on the forum on both of these subjects where guys got surprised. I want your enterprise to succeed (I want some) but you will limit your market if you proceed as stated in the original post. Hi, I totally understand your concerns,I have read through SEVERAL posts on these concerns as well. I ended up buying a 280 so I went with that, that being said I did leave enough room ( I believe) from the frame rail and the floor pan where I think thell fit on the 240 as well,I do understand that has yet to be proven! I would love to get with someone with a 240 to prove it . I should have pricing on the motor mount sets tomorrow as I will be addressing that with my manufacture of the mounts. On the issue of the bellhousing I have to trim the SFI quicktime bells we use on the third gen f bodies with our 2in header we make for them so I am totally understanding what you saying regaurding this, I have passed tech with a bell that was lightly trimmed on the outer side again I can test fit that as well and post some pics to biggie really. Please understand I have been doing this for a while in other vehicles BUT not in the S30 platform but I welcome ALL of your concerns and hope we can prove we have the best header on the market with the assurance you WILL get the header and service you deserve!. I will start looking for a junk 240 to test fit if no one close has one we can use. I have my car apart and will be doing front suspension and engine bay this week end and hopefully be going back together the next couple weeks. Thanks again guys for all the feedback! SIncerely, Bruce Hawkins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 tuff z Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Bruce, I know we have quite a few members in SC, perhaps close to your shop who would be willing to help [the greater HybridZ LSx swap good]. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebekahsZ Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Only if you cut the floor out. It is a floor pan thing once you get behind the firewall. PM 1tuffz and ZFan1 for actual experiences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullmetaljacket Posted September 25, 2013 Author Share Posted September 25, 2013 Only if you cut the floor out. It is a floor pan thing once you get behind the firewall. PM 1tuffz and ZFan1 for actual experiences. Hi, Is it possible someone would have some pics comparing the two? Thanks,Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texis30O Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Bruce pics and contact info sent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 tuff z Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Bruce, there are many pix and much documentation in the original thread. I assumed you read through it completely, if not would suggest you do so. Afterward I'd be happy to help with any info I collected during the build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domzs Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Will they work with an auto trans conversion ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullmetaljacket Posted September 26, 2013 Author Share Posted September 26, 2013 Hi,Here are the pics confiming the headers will clear a Quicktime SFI approved bellhousing. Motor mount pricing is in and will consist of 4 custom pieces along with an Energy Suspension polyurethane motor mount kit will cost $299.00. I will post more pics of these once the first as shipped set comes in from my prototypes. Please let me know your thoughts as I am in the process of confirming these headers will fit the 240 chassis as well. Thanks again. Bruce Hawkins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebekahsZ Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 OMG those look good. Starter clearance? Do you have to remove header to remove starter or oil filter? Many of us have already installed with the JCI kit-perhaps you can get a set test fit on a car that is so equipped. Otherwise your header market will be limited to future conversions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullmetaljacket Posted September 26, 2013 Author Share Posted September 26, 2013 OMG those look good. Starter clearance? Do you have to remove header to remove starter or oil filter? Many of us have already installed with the JCI kit-perhaps you can get a set test fit on a car that is so equipped. Otherwise your header market will be limited to future conversions. Thanks, oil filter comes off great,the header does need to be unbolted to R/R starter but the fbody starter works great. On the subject of motor mounts there are numerous mounting options and I am reproducing mine as well , I will not be able to chase ALL of the others the headers were not designed around for abvious reasons. but a motor mount change would be worth these headers I can assure you . Thanks again for the feedback, Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullmetaljacket Posted September 26, 2013 Author Share Posted September 26, 2013 Bruce, there are many pix and much documentation in the original thread. I assumed you read through it completely, if not would suggest you do so. Afterward I'd be happy to help with any info I collected during the build. I have read through the thread , now that you have unfortunately been through it all . it would be much appreciatted if you would provide a simple check list on what I can check to insure these will be everything the market wants them to be ( with in reason ) as every car is different . I also will be posting pics of my build as it progresses. I am sure these headers WILL NOT fit a auto UNLESS we ship the collectors loss and are welded once you fit for your particular auto trans as there are several different auto options . Thanks again, Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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