Headers?...why or why not...

Well my mind is churning again...this time about my exhaust situation.
For now my old heat exchangers will be going back on the car as the motor comes together, but I was thinking... this car is for fun only and it won't be driven in the winter so why not ditch the exchangers all together and go with a set of headers...(not the $1400 SS ones)...
I realize I would loose heat but that would be nothing new because my heater hasn't worked since I've owned the car. And it would allow me to ditch the engine mounted Heater motor and ugly paper hoses too.
What are other drawbacks associated with straight steel headers?

Not concerned about smog BS either.

Leland:
I'm doing the same thing. I don't need the heaters either. I can't think of any drawbacks, & I would like to have it more open under the engine. I made my own headers by stripping the sheet metal off of a set of pre '74 heat exchangers. The sheet metal was shot, but the header pipes are in good condition. One thing I am going to do though is send them off to Jet Hot in Arizona & have them coated inside & out. The cost is about $195 plus shipping. You should be able to pick up an old set of exchangers pretty cheap. People think because the sheet metal is shot the exchangers are worthless, but there can be a good set of headers lurking in there.

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Marv Evans
'72 911E

Leland,

Well, if you are thinking about the Bursch headers, I suggest getting them ceramic-coated to alleveate the rust problem!

Are you replacing the exhaust studs while you have the heads off?

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

I agree with Warren, coated and do not use header wrap. I used Jet Hot Coat and it worked very well for my 914/6.

But....my SSI heater boxes, which have equal length pipes and was a significant upgrade in power, are stainless steel and I get to keep heat.

Your choice, but I am very happy with the SSIs.

I'm planning on 1-7/8 headers, but would like to get heat. As I understand it, SSI doesn't make headers that big.

Has anyone had any success fabricating and welding heater boxes? Any tips?

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Jack Olsen
1973 911 T (3.6) sunroof coupe
jackolsen@mediaone.net

Headers on street cars are excessively loud. You might want to hear a few cars with this setup to decide. Having your brains rattling and shouting to your passenger may not be your idea of a street car.

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8 9 9 1 1, The last of the line.

why would headers be significantly louder than the stock heat exchangers? (assuming the stock muffler is used with the headers).

I have headers on my 3.2
The neat thing about headers is that you can run 2 Super Traps for exhaust, or you can go with a quite muffler.

After the super traps are installed, you can then install your coffee (Folgers) Exhaust for that extra flavored touch.

[This message has been edited by Jim Smolka (edited 04-30-2001).]

I have Bursch headers on my 2.7 running through a Bursch SteelPak muffler. It's not noticeably louder than most stock 911's I've been close to from behind. Inside is not bad at highway speed. I like them and would do the same over except for the muffler. I'd probably go with a P-Car style muffler. The Bursch muffler didn't fit up perfectly and I had to use 2 sets of header/muffler gaskets to get the exhaust sealed properly. I will have this set of headers Jet Hot coated before my rebuild is finished.
Jack McAllister

SSI's and a P-Sport muffler, great combo not too loud and heat to boot. Even here in Texas it's nice to have heat for those February DE days. Lots'o torque too.

The Bursch on my 3.2 didn't like the DME and made less power due to unequal length pipes prior to the Y.

BTW...headers are not louder, mufflers can be louder.

I love the Jerry Woods set ups in the 911 Performance book.

Jim, yet photos of the Super Trapps? Those are too cool.

Tschus

Pete