Empi 4-tip GT Exhaust Install Questions

[stevedubya]

Hi braintrust!  I just bought the EMPI 4-tip GT exhaust for my '72 SB (1600dp) and have a few questions:

1.  Will the existing paint hold up?
2.  Can I just paint over the existing paint with high-temp or Do I need to strip the existing paint, primer it and repaint it with high temp paint?
3.  If I don't care about cabin heat, do I need to connect this system to the heat exchangers?
4.  Assuming I do need to connect the heat exchangers, do I connect the flexible air hose directly to the heat exchanger or do I pull the heat connectors from my stock system and add them to the new system?

Any other advice (other than ditch the EMPI system - I've already heard that one!)

[vamram]

Some of these from Samba's search may help.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php?searc...=titleonly

That paint won't survive a hot run, it's just protection while in storage.
_________________
"Men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition
to put moral chains upon their own appetites. -Edmund Burke

'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...we hardly knew ye. Sold 2025 for peanuts.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!!

[Buggeee]

1.  Will the existing paint hold up?

No

2.a. Can I just paint over the existing paint with high-temp

No

2.b. Do I need to strip the existing paint, primer it and repaint it with high temp paint?

Yes

3.  If I don't care about cabin heat, do I need to connect this system to the heat exchangers?

Yes, heat exchangers get hot if air is not flowing through them and the heads are already hot enough without that additional abuse. When the heat exchanger is not sending the hot air into the cabin heater hoses, the hot air is dumping out of the valve and harmlessly swept away under the rear of the car.

4.a. Assuming I do need to connect the heat exchangers, do I connect the flexible air hose directly to the heat exchanger

Yes, replacement metal hoses are long enough for this

4.b. Do I pull the heat connectors from my stock system and add them to the new system?

No

5. Any other advice (other than ditch the EMPI system - I've already heard that one!)

Use new gaskets.

Enjoy. They sound really cool.
_________________
Big Time 1988 Vanagon Westy
Release the Krankenwagen! 1966 Sportsmobile Camper
Dr. Kompressor 72 Super Duper
61 Turkis Pile (adopted out)

[Infidel]

One way to save the effort of stripping, is run the engine with the exhaust mounted. That will burn off the paint. Then take the exhaust off, clean the residue off, and hit with high temp paint. If you decide not to use your heater boxes, you'll need J tubes from the back side of heads. I run the same exhaust, not EMPI, but Monza style, and I love the sound and look (supercharged Ghia).
_________________
1972 Ghia supercharged hotrod
1967 Bug restored and gone
1969 Ghia rat rod project