3.2 SSI swap.

[ClickClickBoom]

Like the title says, I am in the process of installing SSIs and a M&K muffler in place of the stock stuff, got all the gaskets and stuff to include new oil lines, from Elephant Racing.
Got all the old stuff off, no broken studs or grief, about 2 hours , all told. Started to fit the Elephant Racing Universal Crossover pipe to start the party going. Seems the flywheel sensors are in the way, no amount of fiddling or tweaking will allow this to fit. Gonna have to go old school, breaking out the die grinder, TIG welder and hillbilly fab techniques.
More to follow

[Rich Gas]

Very interested in the outcome!

[Flat6pac]

Question, are the insert into the head the correct size or they smaller to fit the 80/83 SC. Reason I ask is I have seen a couple 3.2s with SC size inserts.
I know there was C2 SSI s with thick flange and no insert, just flat surface.
Bruce

[ClickClickBoom]

SSIs are thick flange and insert into the head. Had to add about an inch of tubing and do some hillbilly bending of the "Universal" tube. This is not plug and play. Used the TIG welder and some silicon bronze rod to heat/bend the tubing. Must have been under and back 75 times, tack weld, heat, add another tack weld to change the bend. All the while scraping, smushing, and dropping said gunk on my face, got all the new oil lines in, attached and torqued to spec. Now my supply of Pelican Exhaust studs, nuts and extra gaskets will be here tomorrow. Was actually thinking of using Titanium studs and nuts for the heads and fasteners with nickle anti-seize. Thoughts?

[gtc]

Originally Posted by Flat6pac

Question, are the insert into the head the correct size or they smaller to fit the 80/83 SC. Reason I ask is I have seen a couple 3.2s with SC size inserts.
I know there was C2 SSI s with thick flange and no insert, just flat surface.
Bruce

This is an often overlooked point. I was actually sold a set of 3 liter SSIs by a local shop who failed to mention this.
I wound up grinding off the inserts and putting a light taper on the SSI inlets... kind of a pseudo-porting job.
The SSIs sold for 3.2s do have correctly sized inserts for the 3.2 exhaust ports.

[ClickClickBoom]

Well,
I have the SSIs installed, M&K muffler is cinched up nicely. Added 8 quarts of oil, did a test run for oil leaks, dry as a bone, sounded like a P51, WTF? Seems I left the O2 sensor port unfilled with either a plug or sensor. Found a plug from the trusty parts stash, NICE sound, I think it will loosen women and small children's bowels at full chat!
Flicks:




Still have to do the heater backdate and make a crossover pipe support since I cut the original off.



Getting the exhaust stud depth was a study in patience, each side was off and on 4-5 times to get the depth deep enough to allow the Snap-On swivel 1/4" drive socket on an have a good angle and for the barrel nuts deep enough to all of full bite on the Allen wrench. More as the heater backdate goes forward. The good news is I have a supply of 2.5" "U" bends to allow modding the exhaust air plates, as well as enough SCEET tubing for a couple of projects.

[ClickClickBoom]

Well,
Got it all buttoned up, plumbed for heat and stuff. Took it out for a lap of the Boulder Creek GP course, below 2k, it just rumbles along, 3k, it gets mad, 4.5k, it sounds like a ME109 going after a B17. At cruise about 2.5k it just motors along without much drama. Feels like the midrange picked up a little oomph, will see after driving for awhile. Something about the sound of equal length headers, sounds nice, liking the M&K already.

[kuehl]

Is there a practical way to bring over the RH side header's heater box inlet over to the LH side and join with a 'Y' to have one inlet as the original system had?

[ClickClickBoom]

Originally Posted by kuehl

Is there a practical way to bring over the RH side header's heater box inlet over to the LH side and join with a 'Y' to have one inlet as the original system had?

Like anything, given enough time and effort, yes. With the M&K there is room to the rear of the car, not so much with a banana style muffler. Thin wall tubing and a TIG welder means lots of choices.

[kuehl]

If you do bring the two ends back to stock 1 pipe inlet post your technique and results.

Thanks

Griff

[juanbenae]

will you be going back & forth for smog testing?

ive got that M&K I got from a pelican in the classified and am looking to find the model name or number of the unit. im often asked about it on race weekends because im told it has a very unique sound compared to the other spec cars that have a wide range of exhaust set ups.

[ClickClickBoom]

M&K only lists one on their website, I think there are a series of versions though.

[ClickClickBoom]

Re selected my DME fuel quality switch to the "0" position, 0 fuel correction, 0 timing adjustment.

[Elombard]

I cannot believe you got all of the old manifold bolts AND studs out with out drama!!! Was this a case of skill and the right tools (which I know you have both) or has it been apart before....or just luck?

[juanbenae]

Originally Posted by Elombard

I cannot believe you got all of the old manifold bolts AND studs out with out drama!!! Was this a case of skill and the right tools (which I know you have both) or has it been apart before....or just luck?

California car..... our taxes are high, but our exhaust studs are not likely to rust out on even a moderately cared for car.... a California 2.7 leaks enough oil that the ES won't rust a bit...

[ClickClickBoom]

Originally Posted by Elombard

I cannot believe you got all of the old manifold bolts AND studs out with out drama!!! Was this a case of skill and the right tools (which I know you have both) or has it been apart before....or just luck?

Aircraft mechanic, removed hundreds of aircraft systems, it a combination of torque, and type of movement, a slight surging of the torque. It's a feel thing. I read all the horror stories, and was careful, with the re installation I used nickle based anti seize. This is why I was wondering about titanium studs for the exhaust.

[JAR0023]

Originally Posted by kuehl

Is there a practical way to bring over the RH side header's heater box inlet over to the LH side and join with a 'Y' to have one inlet as the original system had?

Someone here did it. I remember seeing photos of just what you describe. IIRC someone modded the regular 3.2 hot air tube to work. -J

[kuehl]

Originally Posted by JAR0023

Someone here did it. I remember seeing photos of just what you describe. IIRC someone modded the regular 3.2 hot air tube to work. -J

Thanks, I'll search the forum under ssi

[panzerfaust]

i think i have the same set up on my 3.2 but my muffler is about half the length? i love it but my neighbors dont im assuming...

[gliding_serpent]

Originally Posted by ClickClickBoom

Aircraft mechanic, removed hundreds of aircraft systems, it a combination of torque, and type of movement, a slight surging of the torque. It's a feel thing. I read all the horror stories, and was careful, with the re installation I used nickle based anti seize. This is why I was wondering about titanium studs for the exhaust.

My mechanic got all of mine off without hassle also. He says it is a feel/experience thing. I have the same system and am excited to hear it run. Troubleshooting post rebuild ignition issues, but it could be any day now...