Nate's 1998 Z28 Project

[nascarnate326]

Not enough collector left to weld a 3 bolt flange on?

Can't use pipe connectors? How much length do you need to make up?

I bought some exhaust patch repair - basically a sheet of thick aluminum foil so that I can start it and drive it a little to get me by.

The problem is where the header collector has the bend, the bend has been cut out so my y pipe isnt "straight" with the collector.

Its a hack job the way we rigged it up. I would rather have stainless headers with a flange so I can remove them when I blow the trans.

[hoogiesngrinderz]

I guess I'm not picturing it well. The driver side header collector should be straight but come out at a slight angle towards the rocker, the bend should be in the y-pipe. The passenger collector is usually straight back.

Oh well, time for shiny new parts!

[Superman09]

On the clamps, it really depends on the material of the exhaust. For normal 304 stainless, run the band clamps. If your system is a thicker wall stainless, or 321 stainless, it is much tougher and the band clamps won't provide enough force to properly clamp the exhaust and it will leak. For this I recommend the U-bolt style actually as they provide a strong and direct clamp on the tougher/thicker stainless.

Try the band clamps first, and if when you tighten it you don't feel the pipes bending and sealing onto each other at the slip joint, switch and try the U-bolt!

[Superman09]

Head lights look great, I might have to look into a pair of those!

[nascarnate326]

Hopefully this helps illustrate it.

This is the pasenger side which was the correct length etc.

The red line, is where the cut was made on the drivers side header.

I feel like its just missing too much material to rig together. Id rather get some stainless headers that can be properly fit with slip fit/clamps or have an exhaust shop put flanges on it so I can remove it in the future.

Look how nasty that header is. Why did they drain the AC system on the headers? lol

photo.PNG

[JoeliusZ28]

I wouldnt go through the work for something an exhaust shop can easily handle, but if youre looking for an excuse i guess thats a good one

[nascarnate326]

Since I have been busy with the bathroom remodel it seems my car has been forgotten about. It hasn't and I have got a couple of things in order.

These are the turn signals I should have ordered the first time. Black background with clear texturized front.

IMG_4712.jpg

[nascarnate326]

Having a stock grill transformed into a SLP bow tie grill by our very own mclaus!!!

Outside of HID fog lights, the grille will finish up the front of the car.

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[JoeliusZ28]

Very cool idea, should look great. but you do know the SLP piece is a completely different mold right?

[nascarnate326]

Very cool idea, should look great. but you do know the SLP piece is a completely different mold right?

Yes. Most of the reason I like the SLP grille is the paint. The extra gill on the sides and lack of line through the middle don't worry me too much.

Think a LT1 bow tie would fit the angle of the LS1 grille? That was my original idea.

Couldn't find anyone online that has recreated the SLP grille with a normal grille.

Oh, and huge thanks to Kevin for the grille and Michael for doing the work!!!!

[mcalus]

I enjoy doing this stuff. I probably wont ever do another but at least you will have one of a kind

[nascarnate326]

Finally got some work done, all little stuff.

Ball joints are on upper control arms. I am ready for this swap when it gets warm.


Got my grille from Michael. Thanks again for everything he did, don't shy about giving him the business.


Here is a better picture of the temporary patch on my drivers side header/y pipe. My choice is to have this fixed by an exhaust shop or buy stainless headers and do it my self.

[nascarnate326]

Here is a pic of the I pipe/bullet. Looks like it hangs low, because it is. The drivers header issue is making the whole thing sit too low.


New turn signals/headlights are in. New bulbs in turn signals that are orange.


Car is on jack stands still

[nascarnate326]

For those that were curious about my old exhaust system, here is junk that my motor was breathing through

[nascarnate326]

Now on to questions. My car surges when it idles. I am 99.9% sure its not a tune problem. I have read that the PCV system fails on these cars quite often so that is my next thing to replace.

It looks like my catch can has a line on the top that goes to the intake, and a line on the bottom of the catch can that goes to the PCV/ drivers side head at the back. Is this correct?

Hard to see: