Are SSI's worth the money?

[fcd911]

Fitted my SSIs in 1993. I paid £425 for them and apart from some oil leak stains, don’t ask where from it is too embarrassing, 28 years later and they are as good as the day they were fitted, fantastic quality.

I have what I assume is one of the original stainless steel (pre SSI) Dansk Heat Exchanges in the garage loft, It is OK but not the same quality though. The flanges are steel as is the single section of exhaust to the silencer and there are not as many spot welds as on an SSI.

John

[IanM]

28 years later and they are as good as the day they were fitted, fantastic quality.

Good to hear. Thanks.

don’t ask where from it is too embarrassing

Why embarrassing?

[IanM]

Fitted my SSIs in 1993.

How was the air quality in the cabin in all those 28 years?

[fcd911]

28 years later and they are as good as the day they were fitted, fantastic quality.

Good to hear. Thanks.

don’t ask where from it is too embarrassing

Why embarrassing?

On the back of the Air Filter Housing is the Breather / Recirculation T Piece. One leg (of the T) has the feed from the oil tank, the second feeds into the Air Filter Housing and the third leg contains a Rubber Plug (part no: 911 108 291 00), acting like a pressure relief valve.

If this Plug is missing, instead of any oil mist from the breather going into the Air Filter to recycle though the Intake it come out the easy way, through the open end of the T and drops onto the top of the engine, giving the impression that the Crank Case Breather and Oil Thermostat Housing gaskets/seals are leaking, before running down the back and all over your lovely SSIs. Apart from the slight smell of burnt oil following you everywhere, when you park up next to your fellow PCGB Members in their shiny 991 / 992s, they spy the oil smoke gently rising up through the Engine Lid Grill, look a bit sympathetic, mutter something about old Porsches and walk off to find some fresh air.

After a good number of years vowing to cure the annoying oil leaks and occasionally studying Wayne Dempsey’s 101 Projects For Your Porsche 911, Oil Leak section, for inspiration, I decided I could not stand the embarrassment any longer, a light bulb moment ensued as soon as I removed the Air Filter Housing – no Plug. I had occasionally removed the Air Filter Housing to look at the "leaks" but never spotted that the plug was missing, DOH!

Apart from the above , I would say a big improvement in air quality, however my old Heat Exchanges were totally shot.

John

[early911parts]

Hi Guys

Well I work a bit for SSI ( Dansk ) Jp group

I can tell you, that all this US production hype is well overreacted

They are made In Denmark , on the exact same tools , that where used in US

They have made alot of improvements in the last years compared to the US versions ,

no need to overpay for "originals"

when they took over in 2013 , yes maybe some inlearning problems back then

BUT its all taken care of

Pls join #SSIEXHAUST on instagram , for the latest updates

there you can also see info, like each part have a laser imprint with production date etc

and latest news on the new 41 mm version for bigger engines etc

Best regards
Marek

[deano]

Hi Guys

Well I work a bit for SSI ( Dansk ) Jp group. I can tell you, that all this US production hype is well overreacted. They are made In Denmark , on the exact same tools , that where used in US. They have made alot of improvements in the last years compared to the US versions ,
no need to overpay for "originals" when they took over in 2013 , yes maybe some inlearning problems back then BUT its all taken care of
Pls join #SSIEXHAUST on instagram , for the latest updates there you can also see info, like each part have a laser imprint with production date etc and latest news on the new 41 mm version for bigger engines etc Best regards, Marek

Dear Marek, this sounds like a good opportunity to a question that's been bugging me for a long time. I have seen comments about performance improvements and compatibility with different exhausts/mufflers - what are the differences between the SSI heat exchangers and other heat exchangers in terms of fit and (power, lifetime) performance please, if any? Why should I buy an SSI version instead of another brand (in stainless)?

Appreciate your comments!

[early911parts]

Hi Dean

I belive its for your 73T

Well reason why JP group bought SSI was because its a much better well develop product and design
so if you can beat them .. buy them
if you see on ssi Instagram its also a much more expensive product to make , beside the stamping its most made by hand , polishing etc
just the spotwelding takes 3 hours to make
better quality 304 stainless steel FROM EUROPE no china cheap steel as most think

the last 2-3 years they had zero compliants

it will give some more power ,but lets be onest the ekstra horse power its no big deal on a 2,4T

but as said, its also twice the price of the other DANSK heatexchanger , and there is absolutly nothing worng with them

less spot welds but its not a big thing , original SSI also had less spot welds , fit is OK , cheaper stainless steel etc
you maybe need to twerk it a bit for the fit ,

Jp group still sells more of there own ,than SSI 80/20 % so every 5th set is a SSI

Marek

[IanM]

Well I work a bit for SSI ( Dansk ) Jp group
Marek

Marek,

I have an off-topic question - Is it true that the new steel body panels (black primer) from Porsche (official Porsche Centres) are made by Dansk? (re-labelled as Porsche part)

There have been such rumours in various threads in the last few years.

[Lightweight_911]

Why should I buy an SSI version instead of another brand (in stainless)?

I haven't owned an early 911 for several years now but most that I have owned either already had SSI's fitted when I bought/imported them (from the US) or, if not, I took the opportunity to buy a couple of sets & stashed them inside the car before it was shipped.

IMO there are a number of reasons to buy/fit SSI's :

- the quality is far superior to any other heat exchangers available
- they are (or certainly used to be) a selling point when advertising a car for sale*
- it's a pain to change heat exchangers when the engine is still in the car as access to some of the retaining nuts is 'awkward' & studs can often break - so the 'fit once & forget' SSI's are a bonus
- they have a lifetime guarantee

* due the the high price of SSI's compared to other heat exchangers it can be indication of the seller's commitment to fit only high quality parts - plus it's one job that won't need attention ...

.

[IanM]

IMO there are a number of reasons to buy/fit SSI's :

- the quality is far superior to any other heat exchangers available
- they are (or certainly used to be) a selling point when advertising a car for sale*
- it's a pain to change heat exchangers when the engine is still in the car as access to some of the retaining nuts is 'awkward' & studs can often break - so the 'fit once & forget' SSI's are a bonus
- they have a lifetime guarantee

* due the the high price of SSI's compared to other heat exchangers it can be indication of the seller's commitment to fit only high quality parts - plus it's one job that won't need attention ...

.

Thanks

[camperco]

Yes