Turbo thermal reactor Manifold - Wrap or Jet coat?

[juicersr]

Have collected parts for SC turbo conversion (K27, stock .8 WG) and, out of ignorance before looking at this board, picked up a '78 manifold of the thermal reactor variety. The opinion (from what i can tell) of most experts on this Board as to why they suck, is that they retain heat worse that the 2-1 Euro version, or is it that the exhaust flow dynamics are worse(?) If heat is the major issue, can i just wrap them with exhaust tape, or jet coat them? I'm not going for massive horsepower, just a conservative increase at low boost.... is the Euro manifold the way to go regardless? Do i run an increased detonation risk with the thermal reactor manifolds? Thanks

[beepbeep]

If you have cylider-like thermal reactors and not header-like replacement they are useless. Best use for them is to cut off the flanges and use them as base for DIY headers.

They suck beacuse they retain heat very well and make backpressure, which overheats the heads.

They suck in so many ways that they are trully worthless. Cars equipped with reactors rarely made it >6000kmiles without rebuild.

Besides, there is no difference between SC heat exchangers and 930 heat exchangers except slightly thicker/different flanges on the head side.

If I was you, I would sell those thermal reacors to some poor sucker who believes that they are worth something and build rest of system using SC headers and 930 downpipe and WG.

[Joe Bob]

T reactors are best used for boat anchors.....salvage flanges and toss the rest.

[911pcars]

Goran,
Perhaps you meant 60k miles (60,000) instead of 6,000k (6,000,000) which in itself is pretty impressive. Yes, they are hazardous to engine life. Do not install on your engine. The smog inspectors will probably overlook their absence. To be sure, ask for a pre-test first to make sure everything else is under compliance. However, with a planned turbo install, your choice of headers will not be of primary interest to the smog guys.

I didn't realize SCs used thermal reactors. I thought they only appeared in '75-76.

Sherwood

[juicersr]

Thanks guys for your input... $$$ catastrophe averted once again thanks to the Board. Looks like i'll be fabbing my own from my existing SC manifold, unless i can scrounge up a used Euro manny.

[911pcars]

"Looks like i'll be fabbing my own from my existing SC manifold, unless i can scrounge up a used Euro manny."

If this is going to be a single turbo (rather than twin), you can also use your stock SC exhaust system. Replace the cat with a longer pipe to mount to the turbo and a support bracket to the engine mount area. I'd also recommend an expansion joint before the turbo exh. inlet to relieve stress on the pipes; also a ceramic-coated, stainless inlet pipe for longevity.

Sherwood

[juicersr]

Just a little confused and in need of clarification... this is a pix of the early turbo manifold/ exchangers system similar to what i acquired (another pelicanite's car from another thread) Is this the 'thermal reactor' manifold or is that the other one with the round cylinders things coming off the flanges? If the manifold in this pix in NOT the 'thermal reactor' manifold system, is it still a crummy manifold system with which to Turbo an SC? Thanks again

[beepbeep]

Things on the picture is not a thermal reactors but a header-like replacement for reactors. I don't think anyone is driving around with thermal reactors with engine still working. They have been rebuilt and removed long time ago.

While not very good flowwise, they are still better than real thermal reactors.

If yousing them, I suggest removing the labyrinth heat-exchanger pieces and just doing short J-tube from "headers" into collector pipe.

That being said, turbo heads have narrower exhaust ports and 930 headers have thick flanges and short piece of tube going into the heads. With other words, I still think using ordinary SC heat exchangers is a better idea.

[juicersr]

Thanks Goran

[911pcars]

Does anyone have pics of the pipe configuration under the turbo heat exchanger metalwork?

There is less work to fabricate a turbo mount (associated pieces) if the factory headers are used.

Sherwood

[village idiot]

Originally posted by beepbeep
Things on the picture is not a thermal reactors but a header-like replacement for reactors. I don't think anyone is driving around with thermal reactors with engine still working. They have been rebuilt and removed long time ago.

Mine still has them