SSI Fitment Issue

[kris159357]

I'm in the middle of fitting SSI's to my 1979 911sc. They are thin flange.

The most painful parts seem to be over, but now the right side heat exchanger seam touches the valve cover, next to the heater inlet connection. This is preventing the exchanger from going up into position.

Has anyone else had an issue with this area?

Should I bend the seam to make it fit?

I have searched for similar issues or photos of this area and seem to be out of luck.

Thanks for your help.

[john walker's workshop]

About all you can do is bend it carefully. Never had issues with the originals.

[fanaudical]

The new SSI's I received some time ago did have a few interference issues. I had a problem similar to yours and had to dimple the shell to get things to clear the valve cover and had to rework the shell where it wanted to collide with the oil cooler. I also had to bend the seam done on one where the clutch linkage hit.

EDIT: To answer a couple questions below, mine are original SSI's on a 2.7.

[ganun]

Not SSIs but I had to return a set of Bursch headers, luckily they were very accommodating and fabbed up a new set with slightly longer flange pipes specific for the 3.2, there must be differences between 2.7, 3.0, and 3.2 in header design.

[G450X]

I would guess that the SSI's in question are the Dansk repoductions of the original SSI's?

I installed an original set of SSI's on my SC a few years ago and was amazed at the quality and fit - IMO the fit was better than the originals.

It sounds like the fitment issues are somewhat minor - if they are Dansk products, please provide feedback to Dansk so that they can modify their production to prevent future problems.

IF you can easily "tweak" your set to fit I'd probably keep and adjust them, but complain and see if they will provide a credit. If the "tweak" might result in a leak, I'd send them back and pony up the money for original SSI's...

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by G450X

I would guess that the SSI's in question are the Dansk repoductions of the original SSI's?

This is why when I heard that SSI had sold out to Dansk I picked up an set of original SSIs.

I foresee this as a sound investment.

[G450X]

I thought I was the only one who picked up an extra set prior to the closure of the original small factory! I have a new set in the box.

I recall talking to John at SSI on the pending closure and I quickly dug up the funds to buy a flat flange set to go with my thick flange set (I wish I had bought several sets). John was very proud of their outstanding products - and rightfully so! I wish him only the best in retirement, he provided a wonderful product for Porsche enthusiasts for many years.

I think John stressed to Dansk that he wanted to keep the SSI's renowned quality, but after the sale it's really up the the manufacturer for proper engineering & QC. I hope this is a minor issue that will be quickly addressed.

My fear was that production would shift to the far east somewhere and that both material quality and craftsmanship would suffer, while the price remained high to maximize profits - a sort of unethical business model that seems to be accepted by too many companies these days!

[kris159357]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I will support them up there again today and see if I can bend the seam out of the way. If it looks like it will cause issues getting the valve cover off, they are being sent back.

They are the Dansk SSI type unfortunately. The fit kit even has 13mm nuts while the bent spanner they provide is 12mm. Its pretty disappointing given how expensive this whole exercise is.

After doing that I wonder how the muffler will fit.

[dubby911]

Having just ordered a new set of SSIs I have some questions, are the SSIs you installed a new set from Dansk? Has anyone else experienced the same sort of problems with the the SSIs made by Dansk?

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by kris159357

... The fit kit even has 13mm nuts while the bent spanner they provide is 12mm. Its pretty disappointing given how expensive this whole exercise is...

Actually the 12mm nuts are easier to use with an offset wrench.

The local BMW dealer should have them in stock.

[kris159357]

I was thinking about just replacing them with copper 12mm ones
then I don't have to bend a 13mm spanner.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by kris159357

I was thinking about just replacing them with copper 12mm ones
then I don't have to bend a 13mm spanner.

That is what I use.

[gliding_serpent]

Is it me, or have I not been reading for some time about people needing to finesse SSI's to get them to fit in a few choice locations? Dansk bought SSI in 2013. Apparently they also got a lot of original product with the buy, so who knows when the original SSI's will stop being sold.

circa 2010: "...and then (if you have a 915 gearbox) you have to bash the edge of left SSI to clear the clutch helper spring. "

circa 2001 (Dansk SSI copies): "I bought the Dansk 2 in 2 out muffler and Dansk SSI copy headers for my 1988 3.2
When I came to fit it, it fouled the crank pulley cover/front engine mount.
To make things fit I had make 20mm spacers to fit between the headers and the muffler."

circa 2011: a thread of SSI clearance issues with modern engine tin. Help: SSI / Engine Tin Installation Problem

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by gliding_serpent

Is it me, or have I not been reading for some time about people needing to finesse SSI's to get them to fit in a few choice locations?

It's you

I got mine 4 years ago from PP. They fitted (thick flange) without any problem except that the from engine tin needed some work. Even the omega spring cleared the SSI.

Most problem seem to be related to thin flange. I can see that if I had thin flange, the weld fold around the omega spring would have need some bending.

[gliding_serpent]

Originally Posted by kris159357

Thanks for the responses guys.

I will support them up there again today and see if I can bend the seam out of the way. If it looks like it will cause issues getting the valve cover off, they are being sent back.

They are the Dansk SSI type unfortunately. The fit kit even has 13mm nuts while the bent spanner they provide is 12mm. Its pretty disappointing given how expensive this whole exercise is.

After doing that I wonder how the muffler will fit.

See my above post.

Dansk has made their own "SSI copies" for years. In my post above I quoted someone who had fitment issues with them.

"True" SSI's have also had fitment issues for years (mostly in later cars, see my post above), but my searching found that the general consensus was that the true SSI's fit better.

I ordered a set of SSI's this fall. They came from Dansk. Mine did not come with any form of hardware aside from the two SSI's and the special spanner tool. No fit kit, no nuts. They also came in very nice bags as seen below. Did yours come in the same getup?

[gliding_serpent]

Originally Posted by JJ 911SC

Most problem seem to be related to thin flange. I can see that if I had thin flange, the weld fold around the omega spring would have need some bending.

Makes sense. I my search I did not try to differentiate issues between thick and thin flange.

I am now VERY interested to know if he got original JP Group SSI's from Dansk, or their Dansk SSI copies that they have made for years. I am partly interested because mine came directly from Dansk but with the JP Group bags. Makes me wonder if I got some of the JP group original SSI new old stock.

[kris159357]

I believe that they are SSI from JP Group. They didn't come with the bags however.

Below are some photos of the box they came in, the underside marking and the problem area circled.

[gliding_serpent]

Originally Posted by kris159357

I believe that they are SSI from JP Group. They didn't come with the bags however.

Below are some photos of the box they came in, the underside marking and the problem area circled.

Did they come with any hardware for mounting?

Mine came in the box you have above, but with the bags, and the only hardware was the black special tool for the nuts (attacked to one of the bag pull straps). I wish I had a shot of the serial number. My SSI's are now out of my hands in a pro shop awaiting instillation.

I just realized that JP Goup is the new owner... so me having bags is not any indication that my SSI's might be new old stock.