Best way to add heat to a Subaru conversion? Options

[CptTripps]

I would like to add heat and defrost to my Subaru conversion, but I'm not sure the best way to do it. Now, I'm no expert on the ventalation system of these cars, but I was hoping to have something simple like 2 discrete motors. One for the vents on the dash, and another for the defrost.

The stock heat blowers are intact on the car, but I don't believe they're hooked up at all, since the PO had a SB350 installed. That motor is going bye-bye, and I'm not sure the best way to add something to replace it. I don't need fire shooting out of the vents like my Land Rover, just enough to get the windscreen clear and take the edge off of a cool night.

I see a few aftermarket blowers that I can put in-line with the heat tubes, but how should I GET the heat? Is thee a way to do it from the water in the radiator?

[914skraper]

So, challenging one of the basic assumptions, it occurred to me that one could surround your Subie exhaust with some stainless sheetmetal, add the heater valve box thing from the 914 heat exchangers, and blow exhaust-heated air through your stock heater system. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

Goofy idea? Sure, but it saves running coolant hoses to and fro... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[ruby914]

So, challenging one of the basic assumptions, it occurred to me that one could surround your Subie exhaust with some stainless sheetmetal, add the heater valve box thing from the 914 heat exchangers, and blow exhaust-heated air through your stock heater system. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

Goofy idea? Sure, but it saves running coolant hoses to and fro... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I tried that and didn't come up with enough useable exhaust. I still think it is a good way to preheat the air like JRust did. For more goofy ideas see my signature.

CptTripps, the Vintage Air Gen ii looks like what I wound up fabricating and put to the FWD left of the motor compartment. It looks like a great unit but the outlet holes look a little small. I used a 3 speed 944 blower and it is working great. It could be a bit more compact.

BIGKAT_83's got (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif) for clean. I want to know more...