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Posted by: hartshapedmutt Dec 16 2004, 12:45 PM

For a late model 914?

Thanks.


Mutt

Posted by: Carlitos Way Dec 16 2004, 02:37 PM

Doesn't Pelican offer them still?

Posted by: SirAndy Dec 16 2004, 02:51 PM

if you're talking about the heat-exchangers, i'd go with a set of the 2.0L SSI stainless steel ones. for a later car (75+) you would also have to get a new muffler as your old one won't fit.

Andy

Posted by: nebreitling Dec 16 2004, 02:56 PM

greg.treadway ought to jump in on this any moment now...

Posted by: nebreitling Dec 16 2004, 02:59 PM

you'll only get the 75-6 heat exchangers used.

BUT, as andy mentioned, backdating to the earlier style is the trick setup. flows better, more power, less heat stays in the heads. more common to find.

or, if you can live without heat, you can get a header system for about the same cost, and free up even more power.

Posted by: hartshapedmutt Dec 16 2004, 04:43 PM

Hi,

Where can I get these SSI heat exchangers? And, where does one get the muffler to go with? Is there any modification that must happen too? I'll be having someone else do the work.

Thanks!

And, no, Pelican doesnt carry these anymore for the 4.

Posted by: Mueller Dec 16 2004, 04:54 PM

HPH should have brand new SSI heat exchangers....you can also post an WTB ad in the classifieds...

if a '76, you still need to have the cat on there for smog

Posted by: SirAndy Dec 16 2004, 05:06 PM

interesting that they don't sell them anymore. i know for a fact that john at SSI has at least another 100 pairs of them sitting in storage ...

Stainless Systems Inc
(415) 883-2000
20 Pamaron Way
Novato, CA 94949


i don't think he usually sells to end-users tho ...
Andy

Posted by: Dave_Darling Dec 16 2004, 06:51 PM

To use the 2.0 heat exchangers (or SSIs) on a 75-76 914 (either 1.8 or 2.0), you will need:

The 2.0 exchangers
The 2.0 muffler
The 2.0 muffler hanger
2 muffler gaskets
4 2.0 exhaust gaskets (the copper rings)
8 exhaust nuts (usually best to replace them)
All of the heater hardware except for some hoses. That means--

• 2 S-shaped ducts from the fan shroud to the exchangers
• 2 J-shaped tubes from the large holes in the engine tin to the S-ducts
• 2 Extension pipes from the exchangers to the flapper valves
• 2 Flapper valves
• 2 Hoses from the flapper valves to the heater channels in the chassis

You can actually use the 75-76 flapper valves and the hoses; but the flappers can be a real pain to remove from the late exchangers (or the early extension pipes), and the hoses often need to be replaced anyway.

If you don't get the heater hardware, the exhaust will still function--but the heat won't.

--DD

Posted by: greg.treadway Dec 16 2004, 08:19 PM

AutoAtlanta has the SS heat exchangers in stock. You can also get them at GPR. We usually mount a Bursch muffler to them.

Posted by: SirAndy Dec 16 2004, 09:08 PM

i knew someone was still selling them

Mutt, if you buy a set, make sure you get the SSI exchangers, they are superior quality over any other stainless steel exchangers i have seen so far ...

i also second the idea of looking here in our classifieds or on ebay first, they do come up from time to time (and they don't rust! so used ones are OK) ...
Andy

Posted by: Eric_Shea Dec 18 2004, 10:16 AM

"Nathanstradamus"

What an amazing prophecy. How did you predict that one?

Ladies and Gentleman,

A big hand to Dave Darling for actually offering useful information to the thread bearer! (without plugging Pelican Parts... amazing)

Way ta go Dave!

(and yes, I'm keeping score... useful, helpful posts now = 1 1/2 see below)

Posted by: 9146986 Dec 18 2004, 01:16 PM

My personal preference is to get really nice factory heat exchangers and have them Jet-Hot coated. SSI's if properly installed are a lifetime part, which is a big plus, though. I have sold several new sets of SSI's, with satisfied customers.

The exhaust flanges on the factory units are twice the thickness of the SSI's, so they have been know to deform if over torqued. I don't know of anyone that's deformed a factory h/e from over torqing the exhaust nuts. In addition the little angle pieces that are welded on the SSI's, where the exhaust studs pass through, have been know to break off at the welds. Again, I don't think you could break off this part of the factory units. I'll see if I can get some pics this w/e of the exhaust flanges of the SSI's and the factory h/e's.

I don't like the Bursch, they are just louder, and start rusting the day after you install them. Get either a Leistritz or Dansk stainless 2.0 muffler, not as noisy and makes good power.

This is just my .02.

Your results may vary, and if so please post and tell us all about it!

Posted by: rdauenhauer Dec 18 2004, 04:06 PM

I was unaware that Dansk offered a SS bannana for the /4?

Posted by: greg.treadway Dec 18 2004, 04:58 PM

I agree that the Dansk is also a good alternative. I like the Bursch myself and both are readily available. The SSI heat exchangers are also going up in price in the new year - cost of making them and such.

Posted by: greg.treadway Dec 18 2004, 05:08 PM

Another alternative would be to bolt up mufflers directly to the heat exchangers. I would probably only do this if autocrossing or racing, but it does sound cool on the car.

Posted by: rdauenhauer Dec 18 2004, 05:26 PM

Just to be clear, since no one directly answered my Question, does Dansk or anyone for that matter, make an OE replica "bananna" muffler for the /4 in stainless?

Posted by: SirAndy Dec 18 2004, 05:30 PM

i don't think so ...

john hasn't made a single production run for the 1.7/1.8/2.0 SSI HE's in 10+ years or so.
he has about 100 pairs of 2.0L HE's left in storage and that is all there is and probably all there ever will be.
i don't think he's planning on doing a new production run any time soon.


that pretty much excludes cost of production as a price factor ...
Andy

Posted by: Mueller Dec 18 2004, 05:38 PM

everyone is using the cost of materials as an excuse to raise their profits...I don't see John making any more /4 parts at all...he knows the market is pretty dead, or at least dead enough not to go back into production on something that is going to sit on a shelf for 10 years

Posted by: Dave_Darling Dec 18 2004, 05:58 PM

Yes, someone does. Mittelmotor in Germany makes and sells an SS banana muffler. It is supposed to be near stock in sound and power; perhaps a little bit more in each department than stock. I don't know if Dansk makes an SS version or not.

Greg, I feel that separate mufflers on the heat exchangers is not a very good idea. It sounds like crap (IMHO; no offense to the guy at the WCC who had a similar setup) and there is essentially no way to get the exhaust pulses to "help each other out". At least the two Supertrapp version was very light...

--DD

Posted by: rdauenhauer Dec 18 2004, 09:48 PM

Thanks Dave
Is there a US dist. for Mittlemotor or do deal direct with the homeland?

Posted by: rdauenhauer Dec 18 2004, 10:05 PM

Ur.. I meant der Fatherland
Dave I found the Muffler but a bananna its not.

Described: #0,1336C "new" Exhaust stainless steel 2.0
@ $396.55 it lookes like a straight steel cylinder is used a the body.

Posted by: greg.treadway Dec 18 2004, 10:19 PM

Yes Dave, when using the supertrapp I do prefer the tuned header system. I have seen people use the dual exhaust and I only mention it as an option. I see your argument though.

Posted by: DuckRyder Dec 19 2004, 10:51 AM

Mine is not Stainless.

It is as far as I know the only one they make.

Posted by: 9146986 Dec 19 2004, 11:17 AM

I believe that Dansk does make a painted low grade stainless 2.0 muffler. At least that's what I've been told by my supplier. It's not like 304 non-magnetic super shiney, although I think that is available.

The reason Bursch is so poplular is price, and profit. The only reason they paint the four cyl exhausts, is so they don't rust before you get them on your car, because the paint they put on comes off about two minutes after they get hot.

FWIW, I will not even sell the Bursch 914-6 headers.
I had a fit problem with a "real" 914-6 and some of their 1 3/4" headers, they hit the oil cooler and wouldn't bolt up. I spoke with them and they said "send me photos of the problem, we can make the right just as easy as we can make them wrong". Sounded good to me, I even sent them the left side header (at my expense) with photos of the contact point. Well a year and a half later I had to call them, again, to get the header back (which was exactly like it was the day I shipped it to them). All of that trouble and BS, and they still make those things the same way!

This is just my experience, your results may vary.