danj Posted September 8, 2002 Share Posted September 8, 2002 Hey Guys need some help here. There have been several threads in this forum on fitting the driver side header on the 83ZX which have been helpful, but a pic is worth a 1000 words, maybe a million . If any of you have any pics that show the routing along with any tips it would sure be appreciated. The 383sbc is on the mounts and it looks like there is practically no room to run the headers around, through, or over the steering. Let me know if you can email some pics and instructions on how you accomplished this. Thanks much, DanH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labrat Posted September 8, 2002 Share Posted September 8, 2002 What kind of steering setup do you have? Rack or recirculating ball? If you have the recirculating ball (that's what I have) then headers are going to be a real pain! I broke down and used cast manifolds, but want to change this soon. These may work... Zigs street rods second ones down, for older street rods. I think the key is the reversed tubes out of the header flange. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danj Posted September 8, 2002 Author Share Posted September 8, 2002 labrat Thanks for the post and link. I have the rack and pinion setup. That's the 1st time I've seen headers from Zig's. The RW27 huggers look like they have possibilities. Would like to know if anyone with the 83 280ZX has tried them. I have a set of Hooker headers that look like they would need some serious fabrication to fit. DanH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted September 8, 2002 Share Posted September 8, 2002 Dan, from what I can remember from other peoples ZX conversions, there is no off-the-shelf solution. You will need to take a basic header and perform some type of alteration. If I were doing it. I think I would remove the steering shaft and then install the header on the block. Then, use a piece of string to simulate the path of the steering shaft and cut away or bend the header until i had clearance. Make sure you at least can preserve a couple of the tubes and the collector flange. Reinstall the shaft just to make sure. Then take what is left of the header to a header fabricator and have him make up some tubes to re-connect to the collector in a different path that will not interfere. This is just a brainstorm idea. There are probably others. Be patient, someone else will chime in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modern Motorsports Ltd Posted September 9, 2002 Share Posted September 9, 2002 Originally posted by Dan H.:Hey Guys need some help here. DanH Dan, I just fwd'd my emails w/ pics to yourself, that I previously sent Preston in response to his queries in completing your exhaust setup. Any q's drop me a line. I'm nearly finished on my own set of 'wedges'. The pics I don't have online so can't post for all to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danj Posted September 9, 2002 Author Share Posted September 9, 2002 Dave, Ross: Thanks for your input. Ross: I received your email and replied before I noticed your post in HybridZ. What do you guys think of the link that labrat posted? Know anyone who used these huggers on a ZX? You can go to the link and click on headers to pull up a pic. When I recovered the car from Preston (cost $950 to transport back)I found a set of Hooker headers in the back seat along with many other parts that were never installed (long story). Do you think these would be the best headers to fabricate, or are there better headers to modify? Once I settle on the best headers to modify I will probably have the car towed to a shop that can do the header/exhaust fabricating and would like to have any needed suspension work done at the same time. There was a set of 4 MacPherson gas charged struts left in the car. I anticipate having these installed. Are there any other suspension modifications you would recommend? Is it necessary/desirable to change springs or other suspension components? I want to get as much out of each tow to the shop and back as possible. I have a lot more $$$ and time into this project than I have results to show for it , so to salvage the project and get the conversion I wanted I don't mind spending what's necessary to get the best combinations. Appreciate your thoughts . DanH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted September 9, 2002 Share Posted September 9, 2002 Regarding the suspension, it would be beneficial to install a set of aftermarket springs and strut cartridges / shocks for the main purpose of controling rear end squat. With the added torque of a V8, you will be bottoming the stock rear suspension on a hard launch. I am using the Eibach Pro springs and Tokico Illumina adjustable struts / shocks. No bottoming at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danj Posted September 10, 2002 Author Share Posted September 10, 2002 Dave Thanks for the input on the springs and struts. When I recovered my car from Preston I found 4 MacPherson Gas Charged Struts in the back. They don't look adjustable. Part number for all 4 is G51018. Do you think these are keepers? I anticipate getting new or custom made springs. Trying to salvage what I can of the uninstalled new parts that were shipped back with the car. But if they are inferior parts or will need to be changed out later then I'll just add them to the huge serving of crow I am eating on this deal. Main thing is that I want to end up with the ZX conversion I have been dreaming about. DanH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted September 10, 2002 Share Posted September 10, 2002 Are there any other names on the struts like KYB, Tokico, Monroe, etc..? McPherson struts are a generic term for the style of suspension. Also, on a ZX the front suspension uses McPherson struts, while the rear technically uses shocks (vibration dampeners). The rears can be identified by a large diameter (about 5") formed sheetmetal spring seat that is welded to the shock body. The fronts are just a 1.5" diameter cylinder. The part numbers will be different from front to rear, so what ever you have, you have 2 extra. If you want to wait and put in hipo springs and shocks later, it is not huge job changing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danj Posted September 10, 2002 Author Share Posted September 10, 2002 Dave The only other identification on the box besides some spanish writing is the symbol VST, for Velocity Sensitive Technology. You are correct. They are all the same size, so it looks like I have 2 extra. No telling what Preston may have had in mind on these. Looks like they were delivered from Gabriel/Autozone. Does this help? DanH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted September 11, 2002 Share Posted September 11, 2002 That is a Gabriel part number. They are going to be run-of-the-mill stock replacments. Tokicos Illuminas are top of the line and are about $229 per pair for the fronts and $195 per pair for the rears, and have 5 positions on the adjustment so you can fine tune the responsiveness and ride. The non-adjustable Tokicos, Koni's and KYB's are less, but the performance is going to be way better than the Gabriels. We report, you decide! Get the Tokicos at the link below. The absolute best price anywhere: http://www.autocarparts.com/search/results.php3?cat=Suspension&subcat=Shocks&mak e=41&model=482 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danj Posted September 11, 2002 Author Share Posted September 11, 2002 Thanks for the link on the Tokico shocks & struts. I think I figured out why I ended up with so many cheap, unusable new parts that were shipped back with the car. I paid a flat fee up front to cover the cost of quality parts that would have to be purchased for the project, the money was never accounted for, then I recover the car a year later with a bunch of cheap, unusable or undesirable parts inside . I remember when things like that used to be considered a crime. Your input has been real helpful. I'll go with the better adjustable shocks & struts. Dan H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted September 11, 2002 Share Posted September 11, 2002 Dan.... the other part of that name would not be "Pratt" ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jwelch Posted September 11, 2002 Share Posted September 11, 2002 Hi Dan, I'm wondering if Ross C. can chime in on doing the coil over conversion while your at it. The cost is relatively cheap from what I remember. I'm sure Ross can give you details. Regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danj Posted September 12, 2002 Author Share Posted September 12, 2002 Tomahawk Z Yes, the name is Pratt. Do you know him? If so I'll give you 50% of any of my money that you can recover. I felt fortunate just to get the car back, even if not in the condition I left it. Be careful if you deal with him on anything. I can take my losses and lick my wounds. Just don't want to see anyone else get taken to the cleaners. John W. Are you back from Sacramento now? Was your trip successful? I have some pics to send you. I found a local speed shop that may be able to get me over the hump (steering column) on the header issue. Dave had some good input on shocks and struts. Would like some help on springs, etc. Ross has been a big help too on this. Thanks DanH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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