Heat exchangers to headers switch checklist

Hotwatermusic · 08-24-2009, 08:19 AM

Considering I live in Texas and will never need the heater in my car, I am looking to switch out my heat exchangers for some headers. I currently have the Porsche OEM heat exchangers on an 83 SC engine 3.0 engine that's been upped to 3.2. Can anyone who has done this switch give me any pearls of wisdom as to what I will be facing? I know about the bolts breaking off, I've read up on that pretty thoroughly. But what else should I go into this prepared for? Is there ANY reason besides not having heat why I_shouldn't_go with headers over heat exchangers? What is usually done with the leftover heat tubing in the car once the heat X's are gone, especially the tubing that runs up into the engine? Is that just sealed off? Is there a market for the used Porsche HX's? What's the going value for a decent pair? I looked them up here on Pelican and they're selling for $1600 a piece new, which made me have to step outside. I had no idea they were that expensive. Thanks!

JP911 · JP911's Garage

Recently installed headers on my 911. Here's a list of stuff.

1. purchase headers, header to head gaskets, header to muffler gaskets, and 2-in, 1-out muffler
2. High temp coat headers and muffler
3. Replace stock oil lines with early oil lines
4. block off left side heater outlet (behind distributor)
5. Block off heater "holes" on engine tin
6. Remove heater flapper boxes and block off holes
7. Remove all heater and air ducting in trunk (no AC in my car)
8. Have engine tuned for new exhaust

Hotwatermusic · 08-24-2009, 09:43 AM

Thanks. Did you get stainless steel headers? And then took them someplace to get heat treated? How much weight do you think you saved doing the switch? Did you stay with a 2 in /1 out muffler to keep a cleaner look, or for another reason? Sorry so many questions!

JP911 · JP911's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotwatermusic

Thanks. Did you get stainless steel headers? And then took them someplace to get heat treated? How much weight do you think you saved doing the switch? Did you stay with a 2 in /1 out muffler to keep a cleaner look, or for another reason? Sorry so many questions!

I went with mild steel headers (George Narbel's European Racing Headers) because stainless headers were prohibitively expensive. I took them to a local powdercoating shop that offers a high-temp coating for headers, engines, mufflers, etc.

On the headers, I probably saved about 10 lbs., but since I stuck with a stock-type muffler I didn't really save anything there. I actually went with a rally muffler made from a 2-in, 1-out Dansk muffler (available here: http://sycipworks.tripod.com/index.html) because I wanted to be able to adjust sound levels. The reason I note a 2-in, 1-out is that if I were to do it again I would probably keep things simple and go this route. When I had the car dyno-tuned with the headers and muffler, the setup made max power with only the stock tip open. The other reason I recommend a 1-out is that in my experience, most 2-out setups drone pretty badly. They sound great for a while and then you start to lose hearing...