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Posted by: jim_hoyland Aug 12 2019, 08:35 PM

Do the SS heat exchangers allow for a faster cabin warm up - from your experience.
About a year ago, I replaced the SS exchangers for OEMs on my ‘75 1.8
It seems like the cabin would heat up faster with the SS ?
Flappers are good, cables properly set, and fan operates
Anyone been down this road?

Posted by: jcd914 Aug 12 2019, 09:48 PM

In my experience, yes SS heat exchangers transfer more heat faster.
The SS tubing has thinner wall and I believe SS transfers heat faster as well.

But real world experience, yes they heat the car faster.

Jim

Posted by: mb911 Aug 13 2019, 04:30 AM

Stainless is an extremely poor conductor of heat infact much worse then stock steel.. What you are likely experiencing is thinner materials as you mentioned..

Posted by: rfinegan Aug 13 2019, 08:04 AM

I think its the design change of the back dated exchangers that make the difference

Posted by: 914_teener Aug 13 2019, 10:20 AM

I had a side project to ceramic coat the inside of a stock HE and and the outside of the shells with entropic and insulating coatings. I sold them to Rob back East a while back for him to continue it since I sold my car.

I think what happens over time is that they.....yes......wait for it......rust, and then that is a inhibiting factor in the heat transfer and then air flow......from a previous thread, a poor conductor of heat.

Same thing on the cylinders...they rust and then conduct heat poorly.