george44

Has anybody found a cheaper alternative to SSI? Want to change to a freer flow exhaust for a '79 911 EURO (no cat) and all I get is SSI and SSI and ...you guess it, SSI. Nothing against it of course except the price. Anybody figured out a creative way to do this for a reasonable cost? thanks, George

agentpennypacker

Go with Bursch headers, they are less expensive by $300. - Do you need the heat?

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Hi George:

If you need heat, SSI is it. Nothing else works as well and nothing else lasts as long.

If heat is not a criteria, then a set of European Car headers are much better than the Bursch ones and will do the trick. You will need a dual inlet muffler in any case.

richard glickel

SSI heat exchangers are the acknowledged standard. You can look for used SSI heat exchangers. They are stainless steel, they don't break (absent some sort of bad accident or abuse) and many SSI owners report that when they remove them after several years of use, the SSI's still appear new!

I have seen an ad for Dansk stainless heat exchangers which look a lot like the SSI's. I don't know the price, but suspect the Dansk is a little less pricey. I have a Dansk sport muffler (dual in/dual out) and quality is pretty good. From personal experience I can report that the company DOES stand behind its products. The Dansk U.S. rep is Mike Jensen. You can call him if you have any questions about the Dansk heat exchangers. His number is usually in the Dansk advertisement (in Excellence or Panorama).

Good luck.

Richard

george44

Gentlemen, thanks for replying. I live in Canada (Toronto area) and you do need heat over here, it can get really cold. I have a pair of headers but I did not put them because I will no longer have heat. Perhaps I can make an installation with an electric heater, that would take care of it and I can use the headers. I never questioned the quality of SSI, however I cannot justify to myself the $1,000 plus cost. The unfortunate thing is that there are no alternatives, it's 5 star or nothing; and 5 star is naturally very expensive. I'll check in Europe if I find something interesting I'll post to the forum. Cheers, George

agentpennypacker

George - If you want to sell the headers, let me know.

art

Are there any mild steel (early style) heat axchangers that will work on the later cars that might be cheaper? Since we only use the cars in good weather, they are fine if available.

george44

Yes, you can use pre-1974 style heat exchangers ('69 to '73 I think) but they are usually in poor condition, I've seen a few and was not impressed. I have the originals on my '79 and they are in great condition. Plus anybody who sells such heat exchangers usually knows very well what they have so the price is accordingly.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Art:

There is no question that any 69-73 heat exchanger will work in this application, but those mild steel things are now positively dangerous due to major rust issues and thus usually have serious CO problems in the cabin.

This is a VERY serious issue and we will not install any used mild steel heat exchanger on anything. The liability prospects are immense.

agentpennypacker

Steve,

Will the diameter go with the displacement of the engine (3.2?)? Would you get the same performance with the early style heat exchangers?

Drew Theodore

I agree the $1,000. is a lot but it has been well worth it to me. Not only does the car perform better and sound better but the heat works much better than it did before.

Richard C2S

I installed the SSIs and a Bursch 2 in 1 out muffler recently. The difference is really, really nice. I didn't expect nor do I feel a dramatic increase in power. The car revs more freely, the exhaust note is great. Throttle response is better, crisper. I can't tell yet if the engine runs any cooler, but have noticed a slight improvement in gas mileage.

I suspect that I might feel a little more if I spent the money for a Monty 2 in 2 out or a Dansk 2 in 2 out, but I'm happy right now with the Bursch which, interestingly, is apparently made by Dynamax. Probably domestically.

It is a costly install with the gaskets, oil lines, etc., but I think it is well worth it.

sc91183

I have installed on two different 911s the SSI's and they are the best as far as I'm concerned,they fit,look and perform great and will probably last forever.The alternative to spending $1200.00 is to be patient and buy used,there was a guy recently on e-bay if I remember correctly selling a set with a factory bananna muffler for $675.00,all you need is some gaskets and 2 oil lines and your done!!

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

APP:

Stock 69-74 heat exchangers have 1.5" primary pipes, just like SSI's.

Both work very well up to 3.2 litres and stock-type cams.

AZ911

Does European Car headers have a websight?