Bursch Exhaust on my 912E

COLDBASS · 07-28-2002, 09:20 AM

Unfortunately, The Bursch exhaust has committed suicide on me...
After 3 weeks on the new motor, the sound and condition of the muffler baffles has deteriorated to the point of just a loud exhaust. The darn unit is 1 year old the only difference is that I am now running slightly more than 9:1 compression.

I went to a SS custom header shop and was quoted $1500 (exhaust not full headers), a 3 week lead time, and I must leave the car with them for 1-2 weeks...

Although I spotted an early 911 muffler (with 2 inlets) that I really liked the look of, I do not believe that this would work with my application. I realize that exhaust is bit more complex than just plumbing pipe, and I do not want the car sounding like an off-road baja bug...any recommendations/suggestions for an exhaust shop in LA or Orange counties here in So Cal?

Thanks in advance,
Bob

Jeff Trask · 07-28-2002, 04:45 PM

Mesa Muffler in Costa Mesa could set you up. They do everything. I do not have their #, but it's in the book. Ask the question on www.socal912.org and you might get another answer.

WFBowen · WFBowen's Garage

Bob:
My 912E had a Bursch "quiet" system with a flanged, removeable muffler section. I took mine to a local muffler shop (old guy in town, nothing fancy) and had him weld on a new muffler (I think it was called a turbo quiet or something like that.)
Re: the 911 muffler you mentioned. There was another 912E owner who had modified the inlet flanges on an early 911 unit to the 912E style and used it in place of his original (rusted) factory muffler. Like the original, it seemed to tuck right up into position and exit properly. The sound was reasonably quiet, but, of course lacked the raspy 911 exhaust note. Used 911 mufflers seem to last forever, as long as they're not near an ocean.
Good luck,
Bill.

Griznant · Griznant's Garage

There are people over on the Shoptalk Forum who recommend the system by Tangerine Racing which has a setup especially for the 912E, and it's based on their proven 914 Super Header.

http://www.tangerineracing.com/Super_Header.htm

Yes, it IS quite pricey, but it bolts right on and dyno results from an independent tuner have shown it can free up as much as 8-10hp.

Plus, the guy who welds it up is like an artist. Check it out!

Later,

G

COLDBASS · 09:28 AM

Griznant,

Earlier this month, I traded e-mails with Chris Foley of Tangerine, yes his product is impressive however, I wanted to retain the heat exchangers so his full header would not work. He referred me to a vendor in the UK for a SS muffler.

Jeff,

I will contact Mesa Muffler and post over at the So Cal 912 board, I understand that those folks are a great group

Bill,

The image of the early 911 muffler that I saw last week is permanently imbeded in my mind. It was polished SS with one outlet and 2 inlets...it really fills up the rear nicely...my only issue is can it be made to work without creating a backpressure issue or taking some of my precious, new increased, HP away...

I guess that a reputable exhaust shop should be able to answer that issue...

Thanks to everyone for their input...

Bob

david c. · 07-29-2002, 09:29 AM

In an effort to get my car on the road, I actually installed the exhaust manifolds from a 76 VW camper and attached two $19.99 Cherrybombs to them. I cut the valence on the pass side for a second exhaust. It's not pretty, but it sounds kinda wild and the difference in weight between the factory exhaust with heat exchangers with that Bursche quiet muffler has to be about 35 pounds or more.

Just food for thought, I don't think I'd recommend anyone go this route unless you want (a) lotsa noise, (b) no heat, (c)some strange looks from the purists.

David

COLDBASS · 09:13 PM

David,

Interesting solution, WTF if it works, to hell with the purists.

I am contemplating the addition of a ducktail for 2 good reasons.
I am sure that I will hear comments, but as long as I am the one paying the bill...

Then again, if I didnt consider others opinions, I would probably be wearing white shoes to match my white belt...LOL

After looking again at the Bursch it seems like a big POS. I still find it hard to accept that a little more compression and heat destroyed the muffler, but its true.

I am reviewing all the options, not sure what I am going to do, but I am in contact with the owner of a major SS exhaust manufacturer. He may elect to take on my request. I will post the results over the next few days...

Thanks for all the suggestions and interest. I have received several e-mails requesting an update...will do.

Bob

thomasz · 01:55 PM

Thankfully I have not had to face this issue yet. The PO of my 912e replaced the muffler with an OEM unit. He told me that it was far and away more expensive than the alternatives but we both agree that the results were worth it. (I am highly prejudiced in favor of stock.)

I like WFBowen's discussion of the 911 muffler adaptation. Weren't the mufflers all made by Dansk? I would think that they have a few components that they adapt to the specific application. With some detective work, and ideally some help from someone who knows at Dansk, I would think that you could select a 911 muffler that is a close substitution. Then a good welder could replace the flanges with the correct fit.

That is how I'll approach the problem when I get there.

Tom Zuraw

david c. · 07-30-2002, 06:53 AM

Tom,

I hope your prejudice in favor of stock hasn't kept those thermal reactors in place!

David

WFBowen · WFBowen's Garage

Tom:
Like you stated, I think Dansk was at least one of the OEM suppliers to Porsche, and even though I've never actually had original 912E and early 911 mufflers side-by-side, they sure seem to look the same. Also, since the 912E was basically an "off the shelf" car, I couldn't see Dansk doing extensive re-tooling for a short, small production run. I've also seen 914 2.0 mufflers which seem to share the same main body.

Bob:
Since you'd be moving "up the food chain" with a 911 muffler, I think it could handle any exhaust volume/temp issues that even a modified type IV could put out. JMO.
Bill.

COLDBASS · 08-08-2002, 09:34 AM

UPDATE

For those that are interestd,

Yesterday I had a stock 912E muffler installed. This seems to handle the additional heat, and compression nicely.

Bill,

I think that you are correct. This is probably the same (or very similar) muffler used for the 911 only with differet flanges.

This was the "look" I was after only in a SS version. The unit looks like a big "bratwurst" tucked neatly behind the valance.
My tuner added a nice chrome tip and now life is good again.

I havent truly noticed any change in performance. The only real difference is that it is quieter and I have to focus more on visual indicators (speedo and tach) versus sound while driving.

Another significant change was the smoothness during idle. The car seemed to "rattle" with the old Bursch, now with the stock muffler, very smooth, quiet and stable.

I am still going to research a stainless version possibly a Dansk 911 version, and then find someone to fab the proper flange interface. Just more research is required from me...

All,
Thanks for the suggestions...

Bob

silver912e · 08-08-2002, 10:21 AM

Coldbass,

Just curious where you got a stock 912E muffler. I'm looking for one as well.

COLDBASS · 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by silver912e
Coldbass,

Just curious where you got a stock 912E muffler. I'm looking for one as well.

My Tuner had it in his warehouse...I got very lucky. He cleaned it up had it refinished in stock factory grey and added a chrome tip.

It seems to handle the additional strain of my new motor very well. The damn thing looks large, almost the entire width of the car...

Bob