Heat backdate with headers...
 

Probably a dumb question but here goes. Has anyone used the heat backdate ducts and routed the hoses directly into the car, bypassing the heat exchangers? I'm wondering if the engine heat alone would be sufficient to provide a little bit of heat and defrost. I live in So-Cal so winters aren't very cold and are relatively short, but it was pretty chilly driving to work this winter when it was in the 30's and low 40's in the morning. I don't need a lot of heat, just would like to increase the cabin temp a bit to take the edge off and hopefully have some defrost functionality. I have headers and would like to keep them for the performance reasons. I have all of the heat backdate parts already. I suppose I should just measure the temps, but if anyone has tried this before let me know how it worked out.

It might be OK for you in So-Cal, but It would not be enough for me in Michigan. I say this because I had RarlyL8 headers with his heater boxes on my car for several seasons, and it wasn't enough, especially in the spring and fall (in winter, it doesn't get driven there). Those boxes are much smaller than stock or SSI exchangers (or the Eisenmann HEs I have now). I just don't think the engine alone would put out all that much, especially by the time the air makes its way to front. My $.02.

I'm pulling off my heat exchangers this week end and installing headers. Yea there may be some cold morning where I wish I had defrost but I think it will be OK

David

A long time ago I read something about an electric heater set up with forced air. Maybe something like that is still feasible. I pretty much only drive my car on nice days, & it has headers. I've never needed a heater.

Another simple option is to run the heater ducts into corrugated metal tubing that is strapped to the header tubes. Will give enough heat to defrost and warm a bit if not in a terribly cold climate.

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah maybe a simple tube with some conduction through the headers would be good enough. I'm probably only going to need to use the heat 5% of the time I'm driving, so I'd rather not put the smaller early heat exchangers I have on it.

Any pics showing this corrugated metal hose idea. I’m in Florida so rarely need heat so this would be nice to add and remove as needed.