SSI HEs - how to finish? Options

[Tom_T]

My 73 914-2.0's HEs are original & now rusted through, so I picked up a pair of good used SSI HE's/exhaust pipes to not have that problem & CO poisoning issues ever again! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon8.gif)

My question is - should I leave them shiny, or paint them as per the stock OE mild steel ones, or does it matter in the CW world?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

If painted, is it the same flat gray hi-temp paint as used on the mufflers, as seen at the 356 Registry?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

They look like this now:


Thanx for your input!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[IronHillRestorations]

There was a picture on one of the 914 sites showing a set of stainless 914 heat exchangers that were cut open exposing the corroded inner stainless exhaust tubes. Just because it's stainless doesn't mean they can't corrode.

[Tom_T]

There was a picture on one of the 914 sites showing a set of stainless 914 heat exchangers that were cut open exposing the corroded inner stainless exhaust tubes. Just because it's stainless doesn't mean they can't corrode.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) You're correct - nothing lasts forever! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

However, I'm not sure that all were built with SS exhaust pipes inside, nor completely out of SS for the entire assembly. The ones you saw could've been regular steel pipes inside.

The set I got used is probably an SSI, according to our resident expert Pat Garvey, but has the end flanges to the muffler of mild steel.

I was told by the seller of these & other folks, that you can test for SS vs. regular steels with a magnet, since the process to make SS causes the metal to lose much of its magnetic properties, and the magnet won't stick as well on SS as it does on regular steel.

...okay now, everyone grab a refrigerator magnet, crawl under your 914s & test them out!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I'll have to recheck the pipes on mine where they're exposed too!

[Pat Garvey]

There was a picture on one of the 914 sites showing a set of stainless 914 heat exchangers that were cut open exposing the corroded inner stainless exhaust tubes. Just because it's stainless doesn't mean they can't corrode.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) You're correct - nothing lasts forever! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

However, I'm not sure that all were built with SS exhaust pipes inside, nor completely out of SS for the entire assembly. The ones you saw could've been regular steel pipes inside.

The set I got used is probably an SSI, according to our resident expert Pat Garvey, but has the end flanges to the muffler of mild steel.

I was told by the seller of these & other folks, that you can test for SS vs. regular steels with a magnet, since the process to make SS causes the metal to lose much of its magnetic properties, and the magnet won't stick as well on SS as it does on regular steel.

...okay now, everyone grab a refrigerator magnet, crawl under your 914s & test them out!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I'll have to recheck the pipes on mine where they're exposed too!

I can onlt speak to the first production run of SSI's. They were/are 100% stainless - tubes & jackets.

I've had them for 34 years. A magnet falls on the floor when touched to any part.

Maybe "nothing lasts forever", but these will outlast me.

Only non-failsafe feature I'm, aware of is the seal(some sort of red "goo") between the ends of the shroud & the tubes. It's a very hard, red sealing material, but has held up perfectly through the years.

Yep, best 914 upgrade there is.

However, I haven't entered a Parade Conours for some time, and don't know for certain how the judges thesedays respond to them.

I equate it the the "approved" reval of hydropneumatic struts on early 911E's, which are an acceptable replacement. When it doesn't work, and is dangerous, it should be regarded as Okeydokey. But, as I said, it's been a few years at a Parade.
Pat