SSI and exhaust nirvana

petrolblue83911 · 11-09-2005, 08:01 AM

Just finished adding SSI's and an 2 in 1 out exhaust in my 83 coupe, also moving the heat ducts to the sides of the engine and replacing bad oil lines, etc....

WOW! first, holy crap, I have enough heat that I could run a line into my house and turn off the boiler!

-the car is sooooo much more responsive, sounds amazing, and if I'm getting 20-30 more hp, cool, I'm telling you it feels like 50+ more! I cant believe how much more tractable it feels, it also seems to rev faster?- more driving is needed before the snow flies, but man the car is like a whole new beast!!!

-Pics comming soon....

-Adam

island911 · 11-09-2005, 08:06 AM

congrat's.

I think SSi's must double the available (hot) surface area, in the exchangers.

Paulporsche · 11-09-2005, 09:02 AM

Felt the same when I did mine! Enjoy the cool weather. Our cars love it.

Bill Douglas · 11-09-2005, 09:50 AM

As a wise man (well, averagely wise - it was Todd) once said about his SSIs, "You could roast a chicken in there".

I like the ones on my car too, it seems to make it nice and revy.

Freybird · Freybird's Garage

Which 2 in 1 out exhaust did you choose? I'm considering the move to SSI's as well.

petrolblue83911 · 11-09-2005, 12:04 PM

I have a dansk on there now, and it sounds pretty good. My mechanic said he has a stainless steel copy of the old S exhaust system...so I may be tempted...

hbkramer · 11-09-2005, 01:33 PM

ditto the response onthe SSI's . Put mine on last week ALL day job on the lift and then some.
but 20-30 Hp increase I havn't researched it but I recall Te Performane Porsche book as showing 15 ish,but ok i wont tell.
How did the valves look ? my no 6 cyl was very black and all others were a light grey ,showing good combustion . i am nervous about no 6 so i will re -adjust em,although it is running likea top ,then check the injectors and hope it is not a bad valve.

Superman · 11-09-2005, 01:42 PM

I'm using a stock '73 exhaust system which is not quite as good (and not nearly as beautiful) as the SSI system, but I also prefer this very much over the stock '83 system for a wide variety of reasons. I think the actual SSI heat exchangers to a superior job of making heat. I think stainless steel transfers heat better.

klaucke · 11-09-2005, 02:02 PM

Sup- Stainless steel often has a lower thermal conductivity than mild steel, anywhere (generally) from 1/3 to 1/4 as much as normal steel. It also has a lower specific heat capacity. Point being it will relinquish less heat to the air.

The SSI boxes may be superior in other fashions, so they may produce better heat.

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

i still grin at the sound of mine since installing.

island911 · 11-09-2005, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by klaucke
. . .
The SSI boxes may be superior in other fashions, so they may produce better heat.

A couple thoughts:

-the SS can be thinner (shorter thermal path) an still hold up.

-the SS doesn't have a layer of oxide(relatively insulative -IIRC) as likely found on steel

Ned nyna 11 · 11-10-2005, 03:07 AM

And I improved mine by using bigger bolts at the flanges. They take a 17mm wrench. Much, much better.

And when installing the muffler, I lift one side and hold it with one bolt.Then it's easy swing the other side up and finish the job.

Harlan Chinn · Harlan Chinn's Garage

I've been enjoying my SSI's for the last couple of years now with the Dansk 2-1. The car sounds much better and it feels faster, but I doubt there was much hp gain. It's been rather fun driving through any low ceiling parking structure seeing how many car alarms you can set off.

petrolblue83911 · 11-11-2005, 08:34 AM

Yea,

who knows what the actually gain was, my old exchangers were really bad, and the stock exhaust was likely pretty plugged up so, wishfull thinking has me convinced that I'm feeling a big power gain.

-my valves were fine, but went over the tensioners and ended up replacing both so that added a bit of cost to the project!

by the way,

did any of you find that the ssi's give off a bit of a metalic odor in the cabin the first few times you open up the heat?

The first time I was a bit worried that there was leak but it smelled like new steel heating up-if there is such a smell, not oil or gas, and I looked at all the hoses, and found all tight and in place.

Also, it seems to be better now after running them a few hundred miles??-is this typical??

Vipergrün · 11-11-2005, 08:37 AM

Muuhhhahhhhahhhhaa. Try the SSI's with a dual-in/out Sport muffler!!! Now THAT will get you going! Loud, raspy, and just down right filthy sounding!

Rodney Nelson · Rodney Nelson's Garage

STOP IT !!!!!!!!

You guys are going to make me buy a set of SSIs. I already have the Dual in Dual out SS Dask muffler to attach it to!

What do you think a good price would be to land a pair of SSIs, gaskets, and the oil lines necessary to do the job?

petrolblue83911 · 11-11-2005, 09:30 AM

New with muffler -1300.00 or so

w-out muffler- 1100.00

used??

not a ton more than non ssi replacements so I think it's a good deal.

Vipergrün · 11-11-2005, 10:15 AM

Troll e-bay or the for sale boards, you can typically get a set of thin-flange SSI's for 500-600 and thick flanges for 600-700 or so. Full retail from Pelican is about 950 or so.

DARISC · 11-11-2005, 11:19 AM

I've got SSI's & Dansk dual in, dualout muffler on my 82 Euro. spec. engine, which I understand is 204 HP in stock form. I'd really like to know the realistic "bragging rights" HP there is now.
Can just those two mods (SSI's & Dansk muffler) REALLY make 20 more HP? Also, (perhaps more importantly), how much more torque?

hbkramer · 11-11-2005, 01:30 PM

""-my valves were fine, but went over the tensioners and ended up replacing both so that added a bit of cost to the project! ""

Hope you went with the upgraded hydraulic tensioners correct ?