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Thread: SSI's ?

  1. #1

    SSI's ?

    My education continues.

    I keep reading about SSI's. I need a bit of definition here. Is this short form for Stainless Steel Heat Exchanges? And how does that relate to the exhaust manifold?

    Can someone just run though the exhaust system for me, and what the ideal "current" upgrade is? My VG E has Stainless Steel Heat Exchanges, but having never had an air-cooled car before, I'm not sure what that means, other than it is a very nice upgrade.

    thanks in advance

    larry
    Early 911S Registry Member #537

    73 - Viper Green 911E Targa - Kermit - Gone but not forgotten

    Kermit's Short Story and Pix on the 911E Website

    06 - Lexus IS250 MT6
    98 - Volvo 70V XC

  2. #2
    Larry, "SSI" is the brand name of the best stainless heat exchangers made. They are a stainless reproduction of the factory exchangers, so are a very good upgrade simply because they don't rust like the originals do. They don't add any power to our earlier cars, but are a power gain for later cars that came from the factory with a more restrictive exhaust.
    Paul D. Early S Registry #8 - Cyclops Minister of West Coast Affairs
    "Now, to put a water-cooled engine in the rear and to have the radiator in the front, that's not very intelligent." -Ferry Porsche (PANO, Oct. 1973)

  3. #3
    PWD,

    Thanks for the info, it is starting to make sense to me now. My car has Stainless heat exchanges, which is good. I don't know if they are made by SSI or not, but I guess that the mfg is less relevant to me as a purchaser of an existing car than the fact that the car has the stainless exchanges.

    It sounds like the Heat Exchanges are part of the exhaust system. Are they part of the exhaust manifold? Where do they fit in the car? If we get really basic here and say that there is the engine block, then the exhaust manifold, then the exhaust pipe, then the muffler, where does the Heat Exchange fit in?

    larry
    Early 911S Registry Member #537

    73 - Viper Green 911E Targa - Kermit - Gone but not forgotten

    Kermit's Short Story and Pix on the 911E Website

    06 - Lexus IS250 MT6
    98 - Volvo 70V XC

  4. #4
    Early 911S Registry # 237 NeunElf's Avatar
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    Originally posted by larry47us
    PWD,

    Thanks for the info, it is starting to make sense to me now. My car has Stainless heat exchanges, which is good. I don't know if they are made by SSI or not, but I guess that the mfg is less relevant to me as a purchaser of an existing car than the fact that the car has the stainless exchanges.

    It sounds like the Heat Exchanges are part of the exhaust system. Are they part of the exhaust manifold? Where do they fit in the car? If we get really basic here and say that there is the engine block, then the exhaust manifold, then the exhaust pipe, then the muffler, where does the Heat Exchange fit in?

    larry
    SSI happens to be:

    Stainless Systems, Inc.
    20 Pamaron Way
    Novato, CA 94949

    Work: 800.227.1486
    Work: 415-883-2000
    Other: http://www.StainlessSystemsInc.com

    They are based on the 1967 911S exhaust, but (according to SSI's web site) they are true equal length headers, which means you get a little more power but one of the pipes blocks access to a mounting stud so getting them on or off is more difficult.

    SSIs are both the heat exchanger and the exhaust header (the exhaust header pipes run inside the heat exchanger compartment). One end bolts to your cylinder heads (at the exhaust ports) and the other connects to the muffler.

    I'm not certain how one would tell SSIs from another brand, except for a blocked exhaust stud access hole. SSIs are things of beauty, at least until you overfill your oil tank, but that's another story.

  5. #5
    I've been told that stainless steel makes the car sound different.

  6. #6
    Neunelf:

    Thanks for the info. Now I understand completely.

    Ian: Since I don't know how a stock early car sounds, I won't be the wiser (or dumber) when I actually hear mine fire up this spring.

    It still amazes me that for 30 some odd years, I have lusted after a car, and even though I have never driven one, I now own one, and will take possession in April (if all goes well and the creek don't rise.)

    Gonna be one hellova SPRING!!!!

    larry
    Early 911S Registry Member #537

    73 - Viper Green 911E Targa - Kermit - Gone but not forgotten

    Kermit's Short Story and Pix on the 911E Website

    06 - Lexus IS250 MT6
    98 - Volvo 70V XC

  7. #7
    Originally posted by Ian Morton
    I've been told that stainless steel makes the car sound different.
    They are a much better header system than stock. If that makes the cars sound different then you have your answer. I can't really tell but my mechanic says it is different and can only be attributed to the headers.

    Tom
    Early S Registry #235
    rgruppe #111

  8. #8
    Goldmember ttweed's Avatar
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    Originally posted by NeunElf
    I'm not certain how one would tell SSIs from another brand, except for a blocked exhaust stud access hole.
    AFAIK, each SSI has a stamped serial number on it, so it is easy to identify.


    TT
    Tom Tweed
    Early S Registry #257
    R Gruppe #232
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  9. #9

    Stainless, but not SSI

    Now that I understand the subject matter, I have been able to ask specific questions to my wrench about how my car is set up. I do have stainless heater boxes (exchanges) and that includes the exhaust manifold (or header) since this is all one unit.

    But the unit that I have on my 73E is not made by SSI. He isn't sure of the manufacture, but says that it is different than the SSI in that it has a "pre-heater" for cold air that allows the car to run better when it is cold outside, because the intake air is warmed by the heat of the manifold. He said that it is similar to the cold air flapper box on the early cars, and thinks that it is more period correct than the SSI units.

    You got me, I am just glad that it is stainless so that I don't have to worry about replacing a rusty one!!!

    (BTW, Tom, what does AFAIK mean?)

    larry
    Early 911S Registry Member #537

    73 - Viper Green 911E Targa - Kermit - Gone but not forgotten

    Kermit's Short Story and Pix on the 911E Website

    06 - Lexus IS250 MT6
    98 - Volvo 70V XC

  10. #10
    I have a set of SSI with a stainless steel dual in single out muffler. Since I am restoring my 1971 911S I don't think the concours judges are going to like these. Plus the SSIs have no provision for the cold start for the MFI. Bottom line is I would like to sell the whole setup for 850.00.

    Thanks
    David

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