'75 914 w/ '70 1.7L engine exhaust questions

[VicVegas]

I recently purchased a '75 914 and have subsequently found it has a '70 1.7L engine (case numer starts starts with W0). While poking around, I noticed the emenant need for heat exchangers. It looks like I'm running the original type of exhaust setup (from 1975 - dual into single header) and was wondering what sort of exhaust options I have.

-I've heard the earlier systems (pre '75???) are more efficient, but in context for the 2.0 fours. Is this still true for the smaller fours?
-What do I need to change if I go this route? Any forseeable problems being a 1.7L engine in a '75 1.8L body?

and yes... I'd like to have heat for those rainy Seattle winters and the inevitable foggy winshield so it has to have some sort of exchanger.

I'd apreciate any insight on this you guys may have.

Thanks.

Noah

[AZ914]

I am no expert but you should have no problem reverting back to the pre-75 heat exchangers/mufflers. You will need all the ductwork as well. Just be sure that your local emmisions office does not require you to have a catalytic converter (if it still does).

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Get the whole exhaust; muffler hanger and heater ducting, muffler, and everything. You can use either a 70-74 1.7/1.8 setup, or the 73-74 2.0 setup. Just as long as the muffler, heat exchangers, and muffler hanger match each other.

--DD

[VicVegas]

Great... that's what I was hoping for.

Is there any real difference between the 70-74 1.7/1.8 setup and the 73-74 2.0 setup? Cost? Performance?

What exactly would "everything be"?

I might, on the other hand just replace the exchangers I have if I can find a pair cheap enough. Anyone out there have a pair they're willing to let go of for a reasonable price? I have yet to find some that even aproach reasonable.

[Kevin Powers]

noah, you will have a few more exhaust options with the ss 2.0 he's. there is a set of for sale in the classifieds club914.com for what would seem to be a fair price (not mine). i did the switch on my 75'. the late style are pretty bulky, shipping used ones would be pricey, and just as prone to rust for our area. there would be a few items related to the heating system needed to complete the swap. they are all readily available. the hardest part of the whole thing for me was removing the old system.

kevin

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The 2.0 exhaust is slightly straighter and has a slightly larger-diameter tube than the 1.7 exhaust. (Note that the "late" exhaust on all 75-76 cars is different and is not being considered in this note.)

The 1.7 and 2.0 SSIs use the same diameter tubing, which is slightly larger diameter than the stock 2.0 tubing.

The differencesin performance will probably be relatively small. However, the 1.7 SSIs are NLA, so you can only find them used. The 2.0 ones are still available (through Pelican, for instance!) and are easier to find. But you will need a 2.0 muffler and muffler hanger to use them.

The heater stuff includes: S-shaped ducts from the fan shroud to the heat exchangers. J-shaped tubes from the heater blower fan hoses to the S-ducts. Extender pipes, flapper valves, and hoses to go from the exchangers to the body of the car. Two pieces of engine tin that bolts to the heat exchangers.

...I think that's all you need from the early-style setup. Actually, you can use the flapper valves and hoses from the late setup, but they may be tough to remove from your original exhaust or tough to put onto the extender pipes on the early setup. I know they were a real pain to try to remove from my early stuff...

--DD

[VicVegas]

Thaaaaaaaaaaanks everyone for the great information. I supose I now do the great hunt for the parts then the great knuckle bust of the exhaust change. I'm always amazed at what should be a simple job that is exhaust work always turns into a stud snaping, knuckle bleeding, rust in the eye expeience. Never fails. Maybe this is the excuse I need to get that air tool setup I've been eyeing lately (and a pair of goggles).

-Noah