964 C2 3.8 Build Thread
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Fabspeed Headers with Heat
So Eddie, how do you like the FabSpeed headers heat output? I have the same exact set up (with sport cats though) on my 964 and the "heat" is pretty much useless on any cold day for me. I've had it looked at several times by several Porsche specialist shops and they all tell me everything is installed correctly- but the exchangers are just too small to provide any really heat to the cabin. It disappoints me because I love everything else about the set up- but my old original heat exchangers provided awesome heat in a matter of a few blocks of driving in cold weather- I'm not sure I can even defrost the windshields with the FabSpeed exchangers. I'd love to hear from you how yours work. I've reached out to FabSpeed several times- and they've finally agreed to modify mine so they have more surface area to get heat into the car- but at a cost of another $1000. Seems ridiculous to me- wondering how they work for anyone else.
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So Eddie, how do you like the FabSpeed headers heat output? I have the same exact set up (with sport cats though) on my 964 and the "heat" is pretty much useless on any cold day for me. I've had it looked at several times by several Porsche specialist shops and they all tell me everything is installed correctly- but the exchangers are just too small to provide any really heat to the cabin. It disappoints me because I love everything else about the set up- but my old original heat exchangers provided awesome heat in a matter of a few blocks of driving in cold weather- I'm not sure I can even defrost the windshields with the FabSpeed exchangers. I'd love to hear from you how yours work. I've reached out to FabSpeed several times- and they've finally agreed to modify mine so they have more surface area to get heat into the car- but at a cost of another $1000. Seems ridiculous to me- wondering how they work for anyone else.
With that said, I think Fabspeed should do right by the customer (not jam them for $1000) and provide what they said they will or don't offer it. I will call them because I think it's misleading. I will let you know if they say anything different.
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So Eddie, how do you like the FabSpeed headers heat output? I have the same exact set up (with sport cats though) on my 964 and the "heat" is pretty much useless on any cold day for me. I've had it looked at several times by several Porsche specialist shops and they all tell me everything is installed correctly- but the exchangers are just too small to provide any really heat to the cabin.....
However, digging more deeply into the possible problems I did discover that one of my dump flappers wasn't fully closing (opening?) and was therefore not sending 100% of hot to the front of the car. I got it lubricated and moving and got substantially more heat out of the Fabspeed system.
There's a thread about getting more heat ... https://rennlist.com/forums/964-foru...ill-again.html
Take a look also at my answer there, post #17, that links to https://rennlist.com/forums/964-foru...lap-boxes.html
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I've had the Fabspeed set-up and cursed the lukewarm "hot" air.
However, digging more deeply into the possible problems I did discover that one of my dump flappers wasn't fully closing (opening?) and was therefore not sending 100% of hot to the front of the car. I got it lubricated and moving and got substantially more heat out of the Fabspeed system.
There's a thread about getting more heat ... https://rennlist.com/forums/964-foru...ill-again.html
Take a look also at my answer there, post #17, that links to https://rennlist.com/forums/964-foru...lap-boxes.html
However, digging more deeply into the possible problems I did discover that one of my dump flappers wasn't fully closing (opening?) and was therefore not sending 100% of hot to the front of the car. I got it lubricated and moving and got substantially more heat out of the Fabspeed system.
There's a thread about getting more heat ... https://rennlist.com/forums/964-foru...ill-again.html
Take a look also at my answer there, post #17, that links to https://rennlist.com/forums/964-foru...lap-boxes.html
So I had my indie check the flaps after I first installed the FabSpeed system and they confirmed that they were working- although I could check again. I did notice that with the tubes from the exchangers off- the air coming directly out of the FabSpeed exchangers was nicely toasty- to the hand anyway. Not sure how much temp drop there is from that point to the vent in the cabin- but if it was that hot in the cabin I'd be happy. No surprise it's hot there though- its right off the header pipes for crying out loud! So I am kind of wondering if I'm getting outside air anywhere in the system- might have to put the car back up on stands and do some more investigating when I have a free weekend.
That being said, when you say you got "substantially more heat" from the Fabspeed system- how much are you talking about? Enough to heat the cabin and defrost the windows? 'Cause I'm no where near that right now. It's lukewarm to the touch after a substantial amount of driving time at the cabin vents. The bummer is it used to heat up so quickly and to the point where I had to turn it off because it was actually too hot. I LOVE that! Perfect for winter driving.
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I know the pleasing “hot to the touch” feeling of the vent air with the OEM heat exchangers. :-)
I had a similar conversation the guys at fabspeed about lukewarm air ; they told me they had never had any complaints about sub optimal heat generation from these headers, <shrug> which is why I spent the time digging through the air flow path.
I can’t say it was ever that OEM hot with the Fabspeeds. However, it was definitely better than lukewarm after fixing my flaps. My 964 is hibernating for the winter - but perhaps I can really temp check this or next weekend.
One other point of heat loss can be the paper riser tubes up from the flaps and through the bodywork. On my ‘98 993 one of them had torn so again I was losing hot air at that point.
I had a similar conversation the guys at fabspeed about lukewarm air ; they told me they had never had any complaints about sub optimal heat generation from these headers, <shrug> which is why I spent the time digging through the air flow path.
I can’t say it was ever that OEM hot with the Fabspeeds. However, it was definitely better than lukewarm after fixing my flaps. My 964 is hibernating for the winter - but perhaps I can really temp check this or next weekend.
One other point of heat loss can be the paper riser tubes up from the flaps and through the bodywork. On my ‘98 993 one of them had torn so again I was losing hot air at that point.
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Thanks ezinternet- I will go through my airflow path and see if I show any leaks and such. You never know. I've also often thought of just hiring a really good TIG welder to expand the exchangers. There is plenty of room towards the front of the car to nearly double the size of them with some simple work for a quality TIG welder. I may go down that route too.
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From: Seattle
Absolutely inspirational build. You're accomplishing the rare feat of making it look subtle, menacing, and aesthetically beautiful all at the same time.
I'm in the planning stages for my recently acquired 964 3.8. I read with great interest that you plan a kind of modular rear seat set up that you can take in an out. However, I don't fully understand what the set up will be.
Will you use a rear parcel shelf and snap in seats when you want rear seats, then pull them both out and put in the roll cage when you want to take it to the track? If I got that right, what accommodations are you making to allow for the parcel shelf and seats to come in and out easily?
Thanks!
T
I'm in the planning stages for my recently acquired 964 3.8. I read with great interest that you plan a kind of modular rear seat set up that you can take in an out. However, I don't fully understand what the set up will be.
Will you use a rear parcel shelf and snap in seats when you want rear seats, then pull them both out and put in the roll cage when you want to take it to the track? If I got that right, what accommodations are you making to allow for the parcel shelf and seats to come in and out easily?
Thanks!
T
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Rear quarter rs carpet installed ... rear quarter trim installs over.
Rear quarter trim installed. Rear parcel shelf removes easily and RS carpet segment velcros in.
Example of Heigo roll cage ... mine has been cerakoted to match the rest of the trim.
RS Pole Positions have had backs and mounts cerakoted and Alcantara inserts were replaced with the same batch of Alcantara used in the headliner, center console, door tops etc. Stiching was matched to stiching done on the dash, center console and door tops.
So Eddie, how do you like the FabSpeed headers heat output? I have the same exact set up (with sport cats though) on my 964 and the "heat" is pretty much useless on any cold day for me. I've had it looked at several times by several Porsche specialist shops and they all tell me everything is installed correctly- but the exchangers are just too small to provide any really heat to the cabin. It disappoints me because I love everything else about the set up- but my old original heat exchangers provided awesome heat in a matter of a few blocks of driving in cold weather- I'm not sure I can even defrost the windshields with the FabSpeed exchangers. I'd love to hear from you how yours work. I've reached out to FabSpeed several times- and they've finally agreed to modify mine so they have more surface area to get heat into the car- but at a cost of another $1000. Seems ridiculous to me- wondering how they work for anyone else.
I have RS carpet installed underneath the interior rear quarter trim so when I remove the rear quarters, rear seats and parcel shelf and velcro in RS carpet I will have a quick conversion to an RS setup. The lower seat cushions are not glued in and they actually are a good place to stash papers that you dont want to blow around while driving. Standard letter size paper fits perfectly underneath.
I plan to convert to that setup over the winter and I hope that once I do it a time or two that I can switch everything out in a couple of hours. The real question mark will be how long it takes to get the Heigo rear cage in. I expect that it will be a pain the first time that I install it.
The Recaro fixed back Pole Positions will be used in that configuration.
Last edited by eddieb4; Dec 7, 2018 at 12:18 AM.
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FVD Brombacher, Inc.
Rhonda Roxburgh
5061 N.W. 13th Ave. Suite A
Pompano Beach, FL 33064
Phone: 954-571-2050 Ext # 1
Fax: 954-571-2060
E-Mail: rhonda.roxburgh@fvd.net
http://www.fvd.net
Rhonda Roxburgh
5061 N.W. 13th Ave. Suite A
Pompano Beach, FL 33064
Phone: 954-571-2050 Ext # 1
Fax: 954-571-2060
E-Mail: rhonda.roxburgh@fvd.net
http://www.fvd.net
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I stopped by and saw the finished dash today. I have to say that Rod K. is the real deal. I cant believe how nice it turned out. It's a week or so from being done!
Rod's doing a custom padded leather cover below the dash so that all of the wires will be hidden in the absence of the lower dash.. It will be easy to remove via 4 screws when access is needed.
Rod's doing a custom padded leather cover below the dash so that all of the wires will be hidden in the absence of the lower dash.. It will be easy to remove via 4 screws when access is needed.
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Here is a picture of the piece that was made custom for the under dash part. I had to cut a relief in it later in the footwell for space for my feet. It was easy to do after the fact.
Picture of the dash ...
Another picture.