Need opinion on headers vs heat exchangers

[kavadarci]

Hi,
1976 2.7L targa with blown heat exchangers.

While I'm debating between used heat exchangers (I don't how to even check if they are in good condition), SSI heat exchangers or headers I would appreciate the feedback of what makes sense moving forward.

While on one hand I like the heat in the car but was wondering if there is another way to provide mild heat without heat exchanger, on another hand I LOVE the looks of the headers and would not mind little bit more noise and hp.

Heat exchangers seems to be going for pretty penny and I have a good opportunity to buy cheap headers to find out if this is the route to go.
Example, ebay has these headers for 400 bucks (both sides).
OBX Silver Painted Exhaust Header Manifold FITS 1964 thru 1989 Porshce 911 | eBay

I appreciate your feedback as I'm really torn on which way to go.

[HorstP]

I would not think twice and use SSIs for an engine this size

[kenikh]

Not even a question. HEs for anything 2.7 RS spec or less.

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[Sooner or later]

Do you ever need defrost?

[75 911s]

I had this internal debate about the same question. I went with SSI for 3 reasons.
1. They still look great when you look up under there. Sure not as racy as headers, but still cool.
2. They perform excellent.
3. They use the stock heat setup. And I have actually used the heat a few times and was really really glad I had the heat available. BTW I live in the desert.

That said, a friend bought the OBX and they exceeded his expectations. That was contrary to a few posts I've seen here on the board.

Sure you can wear a jacket, but cold legs are a pain. :-D Don't cheese your car up with some sort of other heat system.

[Jack Stands]

Defrost can be nice and the SSI heat exchangers are great!

[kavadarci]

I love this forum and the responses.
Thank you so much for the honest and open feedback.

Do SSI HE give more sound from the stock?
Do they usually come up used for sale? I just don't want to drop over $2000 bucks (Canadian dollar sucks) only to end wanting the headers.

Thank you again.

[Bill Verburg]

You all do understand that SSI are headers which also have the heat exchange boxes wrapped around them?

[kenikh]

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

You all do understand that SSI are headers which also have the heat exchange boxes wrapped around them?

Good point to clarify.

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[don gilbert]

Look for some used ones on a 74 or down. They hold up pretty well. Bought several pairs over the yrs from 3 to 5 hundred. Might have to do a little patch maybe, but no big deal if still solid. Sand blast them, paint them with Krylon ruff tuff silver, bake in the over at 350 for 20 min,and you got yourself some SSI"s. Almost.

[kavadarci]

Originally Posted by don gilbert

Look for some used ones on a 74 or down. They hold up pretty well. Bought several pairs over the yrs from 3 to 5 hundred. Might have to do a little patch maybe, but no big deal if still solid. Sand blast them, paint them with Krylon ruff tuff silver, bake in the over at 350 for 20 min,and you got yourself some SSI"s. Almost.

That I can do, what I don't know how to do is check the internal chambers, is there a way to do that?

[Lyle O]

You could pressurize the header tubes and submerge in a tub of water, move them around and look for bubbles. The heat exchanger to header interface is not always air-tight, so you really can't check that part of the system that way.

[911 Rod]

You do know you can buy headers with heat exchangers?

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

You do know you can buy headers with heat exchangers?

SSI will provide better heat and are more appropriately sized than the pictured headers for a 2.4, 2.7 or 3.0 engine

[racer]

SSI's for the win. Street car = heat. Race car = lightest weight/most power possible.
Unless you are constantly working under your car, the "looks" of a header don't matter.

[HaroldMHedge]

Originally Posted by kavadarci

Hi,
1976 2.7L targa with blown heat exchangers.
...

Heat exchangers seems to be going for pretty penny and I have a good opportunity to buy cheap headers to find out if this is the route to go.
Example, ebay has these headers for 400 bucks (both sides).
OBX Silver Painted Exhaust Header Manifold FITS 1964 thru 1989 Porshce 911 | eBay
...

These OBX headers seem large for a 2.7 since the OD is 1 5/8".

Some good threads on OBX: OBX Headers and OBX Headers Cracked apart....

SSI are now made by JP Group, Dansk there is Eisenmann Exhaust Systems and RarlyL8 Motorsports and M&K Exhaust as well.

Eisenmann Exhaust Systems larger exhaust system is reviewed in Bigger "SSI" system and there are a number of threads on RarlyL8 Motorsports headers/heat exchangers and M&K mufflers.

I used European Racing headers with a Dansk single 70 mm outlet muffler on my 82 SC ROW in Malaysia. For me, this setup had good power and a nice sound. The one thing I did miss though was heat to clear condensation on the inside of the windshield during heavy rain storms.

Don't forget there are other good products from S Car Go Racing, TRE Motorsports and others.

[kavadarci]

Thank you, great information.

[don gilbert]

Some nice solid ones from a 74 I paid 350 bucks for. Cleaned up nice. Thanks Justin.

[kavadarci]

Ok, forgive my ignorance but this keeps bugging me and I will ask anyways:
While from the outside I can see which set is good which is bad, what are the chances that an outside good looking set has leak inside thus sending fumes inside the cabin?

Thank you.

[Mocker]

Originally Posted by kavadarci

Ok, forgive my ignorance but this keeps bugging me and I will ask anyways:
While from the outside I can see which set is good which is bad, what are the chances that an outside good looking set has leak inside thus sending fumes inside the cabin?

Thank you.

You can't tell what's going on inside the cladding without cutting them open. That's why you should just bite the bullet and buy the SSIs. They are stainless, they don't rust. Do it once, do it right.