SSI Conversion. Oil Line bending advice from anyone who has done it.

chrisp · 12-14-2003, 05:24 PM

I have read that on my 1983SC I can get away with using the stock hard oil line, bend it to clear the exchangers, and relocate it to the front of the engine. I would rather not buy another $80 oil line for my car if I can use the one I have.

What does it take to bend it? Does it still use the same soft line that's connected to it now?

I am assuming that the second line is required and there's now ay around buying that one.

-Chris

island911 · 12-14-2003, 05:28 PM

BTDT 2x

DON'T do it.

chrisp · 12-14-2003, 05:31 PM

BTDT?

I think you are recommending that I buy the correct parts and not fudge it by bending my own. Correct?

Oldporsche · 12-14-2003, 05:36 PM

Buy the correct one.

Just consider it as part of the modification package to go along with the SSI's.

David Duffield

johnsjmc · 12-14-2003, 06:42 PM

If you search the site under SSI you will probably find the pictures I saw. They show the hard rear line bent upwards to clear the exchanger on the right side .I have recently installed the SSI's on an 80SC and chose to use the 74 style line from the block across and under the trans. I cut and shortened the original hard line to make an elbow about 6" long.This allowed me to connect to the original line going foreward to the thermostat without having to separate the line from the stat . I separated the end from the hard line and cut and reattached it by brazing as original was.I will try to post a pic tomorrow . John

island911 · 12-14-2003, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chrisp
BTDT?

I think you are recommending that I buy the correct parts and not fudge it by bending my own. Correct?

Yep, those SC lines are not easily bent. I think Porsche made them out of some extra heavy wall material.

I suppose that if you have all of the right tooling, and the right pattern to bend to, you might come out okay.

PS, the second time I bent one of these lines into submission, it was purely for the challenge of it all. (and I thought I had a better plan of attack) Even then, it took way too long, and for mediocre results. . . .mediocre results bother me. YMMV

rennch · rennch's Garage

I used Aeroquip lines on my 72T...worked great, and you can route them anyway you want. (look cool too!)

jwetering · jwetering's Garage

I spent the better part of a month under my car bending,tweaking, nudging, pushing....thought i had it, and really I got as close as anyone could, and it was not anywhere near good enough. clearence problems everywhere. I lost $80 worth of blood sweat and tears on day ONE of that little project. My story was posted here back in 2001 or something.

Harlan Chinn · Harlan Chinn's Garage

Get the correct oil line with your SSI's

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

A friend of mine bent the SSI's a little for clearance and used the normal oil line on his (G50) Carrera.
-Chris

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

I agree get the correct lines. You will get an additional benefit of better oil cooling.

chrisp · 12-15-2003, 05:05 AM

Thanks guys. I had heard anectdotally that it was an easy mod....doesn't sound like that's the case. $80 saved is okay if it's a 30 minute mod and comes out perfect. $80 saved in not enough if it requires quite a bit of time and ends up being mediocre at best. I need all the cooling I can get and that's another vote in favor of the correct line.

I'll order up both new lines and make it easy on myself. Too many half done projects between the house and car. Need to ensure this one gets completed and gets done right.

Randy Webb · 12-15-2003, 12:19 PM

I see these on eBay also.