Header options for 912e?

[Matt Monson]

Hello,

I recently acquired a 912e. It was taken off the road last year because the exhaust manifolds/heat exchangers had rotted out and it now sounds like a Harley. I can't smog, register, and drive this car until I fix the exhaust and a few other things that happen when these cars sit.

So, I am looking for guidance on a header option for this car. Usually headers will grant you a little more hp, but I am just really assuming that they will be much cheaper than finding a set of factory heat exchangers for this one year only car that wasn't made in very big numbers. Plus, correct me if I am wrong, but I believe this is a thermal reactor car based on the year, and it would be nice to get rid of that at the same time.

Thanks in advance for any help.

-MM

[76912E]

Matt,

If you don't get too many replys on this site, try posting here: http://www.912bbs.org/index.php?a=forum&f=13 Also, let Aric know your car's info. He making a list of all 912Es. Raby on the above site is the Type IV guru and may also lend some info.

Fran
912E #224

[Matt Monson]

Hello Fran,

Thanks for the input. I'll be sure to put this one on the registry. I have two other 912's that should already be there. At least I think I registered them.

Yeah, Jake is pretty well known on 914world as well, where I spend a fair bit of time. I was looking at his site earlier today and his remarks on his own personal 912e, but there really wasn't a lot of info on the pipes.

I know that I can get a Bursch replacement for the first foot of the exhaust, but unless I am mistaken that still requires the stock heater boxes. If there really truly isn't a header that covers the gap from there to the muffler, I may just have to have them made. And since that's what the guy I would use does for a living, we might just have to bring it to market after that. I just find it unbelieveable that Bursch or someone like George at European Racing Headers never made a product for this car. I know it's kind of rare, but it's not that rare and there are guys who race them.

[BryanM]

http://www.***************/productpage.aspx?pid=101399&cid=12&sid=102
this should do it.
, Bryan

[Matt Monson]

Bryan,
That's where my point of confusion comes from. Does that replace the complete heat exchanger assembly? Based on those pictures, it looks like all they do is drop down from the exhaust ports and mate up into a single pipe right under the center of the valve covers. That still puts you a good 14-18" shy of the muffler. It's not everything you need for the conversion.

[BryanM]

don't know much about it, but it does say thermal reactor replacement. so, you are right. something needs to go in place of the heat exchangers. i think i've read that people use them from a bus or 412. i've also read that Jake is not a big fan of that mod. why not give him a call? he might have something not listed on the site, or something "in the works". or as you mentioned, fabricate your own. good luck with it.

[Matt Monson]

I'll post my solution when I come up with one. It's not too pressing right now since the car hasn't been delivered yet. I just hope I can get it here by Friday since the wedding is Saturday and it's my present to my bride.

[76912E]

Matt, The Automotion photo is a thermal reactor replacement. It attaches to the heat exchanger. The HE attaches to the muffler. Decent HE are rare and can cost $500 or more for rusty ones. An OE muffler is even more rare and is a "bargain" at $1,300. It makes the Bursch seem like a great deal!!

BTW, lucky bride!! If you get her to do her own work on the car, lucky groom!!!

Fran

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by 76912E

BTW, lucky bride!! If you get her to do her own work on the car, lucky groom!!!

Fran

It's doubtful. Just today over lunch she was talking about how her brain doesn't work that way. We've tried to discuss compression ratio, displacement, and my business, which is custom gear ratios. She just doesn't think mathematically. It goes in one and out the other.

Now, show her a duck tail versus a whale tail and she's got a definite opinion and will remember which is which. She also know what Fuchs are, and h4's, etc. etc. She retains things that are very visual. She doesn't work well in a sequence like is required when I rebuild a tranny.

What's important in my mind is the driving. She's done one of Michael Petiford's classes in her Subaru, and is doing another one this summer. After that, I think a one on one with him in her 912e may be the next step. Just having tracked her Subaru twice in the last year and I have seen that she gets it. She is able to feel what is right even if all the concepts as far as apex and turn in and trail braking don't click yet. She's very right brained about it all.

[racerpaul]

Wow! way cool 912e stuff ... as a newbie... I'll be watching this thread, thanks guys!

[Jaems]

Paul

If you go here. That is all 912e stuff. They have their own section on the 912bbs

http://www.912bbs.org/index.php?a=forum&f=13

[Dave L.]

I have a complete exhaust system that replaces the heat exchangers and muffler for the 912E/Type-IV engine that was crafted by Tangerine Racing and purchased used from RAT (had been tested on Tony Bray's 'Gumby" renegade for fit and sound. It has been ceramic coated in 'stainless' and is a very pretty lookin' piece of work. NFS, as I seem to collect exhaust systems for my E's, but try their website or call them. The price is particularly reasonable if you tot up $300 for a Bursch, $300 for thermal reactor bypass pipes, and who knows (but at least several hundred probably) for a pair of 'unobtanium' used heat exchangers- if you can find a pair! Good luck! R/Dave L.

[Nige-912E]

This is what my local exhaust man built for me



He's specialises in VW/Porsche stuff, UK based so no good to you but shows what can be done. It wasn't mega money either. I don't own the car now, but the headers replaced the thermal reactors (don't need then in the UK) and I wanted twin exit which require abit of cutting on the valance.

[Dave L.]

A very tidy job on the system, thanks for the pic. R/Dave L.

[Matt Monson]

That is a very nice looking system. I finally got the car home tonight. I can't wait to start working on it and get it on the road for her. In addition to the exhaust, it's got bad fuel lines and needs a battery. Since we took a week off to "celebrate" maybe I can get some of that done this week.