'81 SC Backdate Question
 

I think I know the answer, but wanted confirmation before I order parts. I've removed the five sections of engine tin because they were A. in the way of an ongoing engine bay detailing, and B. pretty rusty. As the engine looks better and better, I can't bring myself to rebolt these ugly components back onto the engine. And they're too far gone to refinish...

I plan to backdate w/ SSIs later this year and wanted to make sure that the stock engine tin will work w/ the stock heater hoses—the two that run from the blower distribution piece to ether side of the engine and down through the tin to the heat exchangers.

Hope I'm being clear!

Thanks.

Is there a 'hole' on each side? I think there is only one pass through, there is only one on the 84. I foget when Porsche changed over to the heat pipes that cross over under neath the tin.

If you dont have that ~3" hole on each side of the engine bay (in the tin) you will need that piece to complete the back date with SSIs. I think people often just make a hole?

Can you strip and powder coat the tin? never seen any that was so far gone it could not be used.

You have a 3" hole on the passenger side, that's fine. The drivers side has a elbow duct running through the tin. You can either chose to use this duct, (it just requires cutting the heater hose in two) or you can get the older pass-through piece that Elombard mentions.

I can post of picture of drivers side duct piece in use as that's what I did for mine. By the time I had decided to back date my heat I had already had all of the tin, and that duct powder coated so I wanted to use it.

Yes, the old tin has a hole on one side and a duct on the other...

The large rear piece was snipped before my ownership and also has quite a bit of rust. Its about $130. The other pieces are all available for under $50; not worth my time to refinish the old ones.

Thanks all.