HeaterBoxes/Exhaust

911mom · 07-18-2003, 06:29 PM

I have '70 T 2.2 with SERIOUSLY rusted out heater boxes and exhaust. I am considering Bursch heater by-pass pipes with steel-pak muffler. I have never used the heat (even if it did actually work), and would prefer the added HP. I am considering the Bursch as a "low cost" way to make sure I don't want or need heat, before I invest in Stainless. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks!

dtw · 07-18-2003, 09:49 PM

Bursch is good cheap stuff and works fine, but will rust out too in a few years. Not a long term solution, if that's what you're after.

911mom · 07-18-2003, 10:03 PM

That's kind of what I thought, but it should give me enough time to decide if that is what I want to do with the SSI. It's a $400-500 investment, and the HP increase can always help! I feel like I'm pedaling as fast as I can on the straights...The twins pass me like I'm standing still....Just trying to get as much Hp as I can without mos=difying too much...

Thanks for the input...

Tyson Schmidt · 07-19-2003, 08:42 AM

A 2.2T motor isn't even capable of utilizing the stock exhaust, much less larger headers.

Besides, the stock heat exchangers already are basically tuned, equal-length headers that just happen to have heater boxes around them.

It really would be cheaper in the long run to put that money toward (real) SSI's.

If you cut the heater boxes off from around your heat exchangers, you will find some nice stainless headers hiding under those rusty heater boxes. The only portion that rusts (besides the boxes surrounding the pipes) is the section between where the 3 go into 1, and the muffler inlet. There are replacement pieces that can be welded in there.

The only reason to go with headers in place of the Factory heat exchangers or SSI's is to get larger pipe diameter. And that is only necessary on much lager and better breathing motors. Your 2.2T doesn't need them.

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

You will not get any increase in HP by replacing your exhaust. The 1974 and earlier exhausts (except for the real early 1965-era ones) are excellent, and are just about as good as you can do. So, don't count on any HP increase. The HP increases are only applicable on 1975 and later cars with the CATs and thermal reactors.

-Wayne

RallyJon · 07-21-2003, 06:29 AM

Quote:

invest in Stainless

Any of the $400-600 header options will be worth <$200 used in a year or so. SSIs may cost $800 or so new, but they'll be worth most of that used if you decide later to take them off.

I just went through this decision process after my Bursch headers rusted out. In the end I decided to spend the extra coupla hundred bucks for the SSIs. Compared to a painted mild steel header, the SSIs are a real bargain even if you don't care about heat.

Seems to me there's a bit of a gap in the market. Someone should offer street (i.e., that go all the way back to a dual inlet muffler) headers in stainless steel in that ~$600 price range.