SSI's or Headers?

[Halm]

I will need to replace my old heat exchangers pretty soon. I have seen several sets of SSI brand heat exchangers for sale on different forums. I know in the 911 world these are excellent for motors 3.2 and under. Maybe as good as pure headers???

So I am wondering if there is a major advantage of going with headers over a set of SSI's? I am not too worried about heat right now in that the car is heading toward dedicated track duty.

If headers are clearly the way to go, can someone make a recommendation? It looks like the ones from Tangerine Racing are terrific, but $2k for a setup is a bit steep.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

If you're talking about a four-cylinder motor, the SSIs are significantly different from headers. The six-cylinder SSIs are a lot like headers with heat exchanger "wrapping".

Think of the four-banger SSI as a very mild improvement over the stock exhaust. The design is the same, just the material and the diameter of the tubes being different. A header is a different beast, with most not having any provision for heat at all. But a well-done one can easily get you 5%-10% over a stock-type exhaust!

Tangerine is the best--period. And they cost like it. There are ones from European Racing in NV, and Triad up in WA, that are one step down from the Tangerine setup in both performance and price. Kerry Hunter makes the least-expensive header that I know of that works, but it doesn't work as well as the others.

--DD

[Halm]

Great info. Thanks Dave.

[Halm]

Dave, as a follow on question, is the "mild improvement" over stock worth it for a car that is used for DE's 3-4 times per year but mostly as a weekend car? And with my RAT 2056, does that make them better over stock or no difference?

Or, when all is said and done since I want heat, should I just bite the bullet and go Tangerine with their heat exchanger???

Thanks!

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I think SSIs are worth it just for not having to worry about rust!! Realistically, you probably won't notice a real power improvement in power over stock, but you'll be able to melt the toes of your sneakers! The car will, however, be louder.

The Tangerine system will make more power. There's a good chance you'll have to re-jet your carbs after installing it, due to the extra flow!! (Seriously, ask Jake.) The heater section isn't nearly as big as the stockers, but I don't have any experience with how much heat you will actually get from it. (Probably some installation variables as well.)

Worth it? Depends on what you want. (Yeah, it's a weaselly non-answer, but it's the truth!) If I had a bunch more money to throw at the power plant, I'd step up and buy the TR headers. I already have the SSIs, which I got at a swap meet for a very reasonable price.

--DD

[Halm]

Pretty straight forward answers! Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks again Dave.

Now I just need to find a decent set of 2.0 heat exchangers or a used set of SSI's. . .

[Brother]

I might be able to help you out with the SSI's.