Ls1 swapped 280zx exhaust issues

[bajajoas]

Can anybody share what they used for exhaust headers for a ls1 5.7l motor in a 280zx?  I knew this would be a challenge but coming up short or should I say shorty

[G-Tech]

Not many take on this challenge, good for you!

It is for sure a challenge. If you have rack and pinion steering, you have the worst. There is manual which is not bad and i dont exactly remember the name of the other style. Its like reciprocating, or something like that.

Bottom line is, i found that a "block Hugger" style fits well on Pass side. It's the driver side that i had the most issue with. 1st thing is to pin the steering shaft (I drilled and tapped through it for a screw) so you can cut-off the clamping ear. Then get rid of the Rubber Rag joint on the steering shaft. Techno toy tuning makes a solid piece to put in place. I don't know anything about the size of it though. I made mine and made it smaller diameter for clearance.

I have modified a couple different sets of headers. I 1st had a Hooker High Flow Manifold that i still had to cut a window in it and have a plate welded in from the back side. Then i didn't like that i had 2 different style headers so i bought BillyBoat headers for a C5 vette. Still had to cut a tube off and re-route a new one to avoid the steering shaft. Then i was worried thet 1-5/8" primaries were not big enough and i had someone make me a set of long tube 1-3/4" headers and found that it was not worth it. I went from 375whp to 387hp (very disappointing results for the $) Take a look at all the pics. There is a pic for everything i just explained.

Worse case you can run manifolds upside down and they will point fwd. If you are turboing, this will work well. If not, you have to run the exhaust fwd and down around the front, which i'm not a fan of. 

[nismoluv]

I am currently working on this same issue. I got sandersons D1 headers uncoated since I knew there would be issues, just based off the photos.

 

On the passanger side I dented the backside to clear the mounts. It was just above the collector, I can't remember which cylinder. It was a pain since thats there the collector and primary overlaped. I also got to a point that i didnt want to dent it any more and cut a section off the motor mount. The mounts are lsbillet swap plates and jags that run chevy put together. The portion I cut off shouldnt affect the mounts, unless the engine spontaneously shifts back an inch....

 

The driver side I am going to modify the steering shaft based off another post. Its pretty good post. Not sure of the link, I copied it into my offline notes.

 

Dont mind the fuel line returnin the photoes still moving things around. Ive been delayed on this project since spring. The wife to do list was piling up.