912E, thermal reactors and other stuff
 

What the hell is inside these things, I want to know as I intend to remove the casing and whatever else there is inside. Hopefully this will leave a bare exhaust pipe and therefore eliminating the extra heat that is thrown out by these things. I live in the UK and non of the emissions equipment is not required by our MOT test, I have already removed the smog pump is there anything else I have missed like the above that is superflious to the running of the engine.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

nige: As I recall, this reactor dosen't just cover the two pipes, but exhaust enters and heats the entire chamber, resulting in the exhaust being heated as it passes through the reactor. It's basically a heat trap.My 912E had separate downpipes mounting to a flange, which connected directly to the heat exchangers.I'm not positive, but I think late 914 2.0's (&1.8s?)used the direct pipes, since they had CAT later downstream.My advice is to put the reactors on Ebay (they'll be gold in a year or two here in Calif.) Aside from the smog pump, a stronger timing advance curve might help,but keep in mind that the basic limitation of the L-Jetronic system is that tiny throttle valve. Cams/extractor exhaust/K&N filter, etc. won't do much. I've known guys (myself included) who have tried to tweak these engines by doing things like hooking up the coldstart valve to a manual switch; jumping up the fuel pressure; grinding (lightening)the air flap on the air sensor; adjusting the sensor arm to full rich & even jimmying the temp sensors so the computer thinks it's a cold-run situation.) None of these things did anything. Best solution down the road is Webers.
p.s.How in the heIl did you ever end up with one of these in the UK?

Thanks for the advice, I bought the car from a friend of mine who imports Karmann Ghias into the UK, he has just started bringing 911/912s in. Its a great car but I struggled to get insurance over here for it as its not registered as UK market car so its not on everybodys' database.

I think what I will do is remove the thermal reactors and get a local exhaust specialist to make a a new straight through section to replace them. The injection system seems to be working fine at the mo' but I think in the future I will fit some webbers instead, 40's or 48's I'll read up on and see whats happening on the forum.

Hello

The simplest way would be to use VW heatexchangers. If you like to have real heat then take the late 2,0 Bus. If you just need slight heat take the 411/412 units.

Exhaust are a bit working as the valance position differs. But a standard type 4/914 öeft tip unit can be modified by removing the tip ( 3 bolt flange ) and reworking.

If you look for the ultimate performance then just look what german tuners offer for type for in beetle. There are some 200+ HP engines around and all off them must have heat and catalic converter to pass TÜV.

Now beefing up the GC is a other story.
First step would be 100 HP euro pistons and a set small carbs as the stock cam will not suport hughe power increase. You can go with the 40 mm Solex from the 412 and everything looks stock while 100 HP is reliable power.

If you look for more you have to split the case to get a other cam in there.

Grüsse