Exhaust systems are about so much more than a few pipes that remove waste gas from the engine. They’re essential to noise control, emissions and fuel efficiency and can influence the overall weight and balance of the car – something premium Porsche drivers take seriously.
SSI has long been one of the biggest names in Porsche exhausts, best known for its precision-engineered stainless steel systems, which have evolved from its original designs and are a go-to for air-cooled Porsche drivers, collectors and restorers who want an authentic driving experience.
Design911, the specialists in Porsche parts and components and experts in every aspect of Porsche maintenance, share some insights into the history of SSI, what makes its exhausts unique, and how the brand has remained synonymous with quality over the years.
Reasons Why Quality Exhaust Choices Make a Difference to Porsche Drivers
A great exhaust balances pressure within the system, which avoids a common issue where too little back pressure means torque suddenly drops when you shift into higher RPMs. The opposite can also happen, where too little pressure forces the engine to work harder which means it starts to feel slow and sluggish.
Upgrading a Porsche exhaust to a system with a better flow has several benefits, including increased horsepower, improved torque, and faster removal of waste gases that help the engine work more efficiently.
Materials make a huge difference, and although there are various types of exhausts produced from aluminium, stainless and titanium, as a few examples, there are still a wide number of exhausts made from mild steel – something which is rarely considered ideal for reasons that we'll explain shortly!
Stainless is a superior choice because the material lasts considerably longer and has excellent corrosion resistance while also preventing overheating. This is crucial in exhausts, which include a catalytic converter that is responsible for converting toxic gases. If corrosion and rust patches develop, leaks can occur, potentially causing a restored classic Porsche to fail emissions testing and even leak CO2 into the car.
Importantly, if your exhaust system is more efficient, your fuel economy is also more efficient. In contrast, faulty or lower-quality systems lead to excess fuel usage, as the engine must consume more fuel to compensate for leaks or blockages.
The History and Heritage of SSI Exhaust Parts and Heat Exchangers for Porsche
Stainless Systems Inc., or SSI, launched in California in the 1970s, at the peak time when the earlier 911 and 914 models were growing in popularity. These cars were fitted with mild steel heat exchangers, which were famously short-lived, particularly for owners living close to the coast, where salty air expedited rusting and corrosion.
John Daniels, a fabricator and Porsche driver, decided to build a better option from stainless steel, focusing on developing a part that could cope with the rigours of real driving and that would be impervious to rust. His idea worked and rapidly became of interest to other Porsche owners and enthusiasts.
Initially, and for decades after, John’s heat exchangers were produced by hand in tiny quantities and available through direct recommendations or to specialists who knew how to get their hands on them, before JP Group, a Danish firm, took over the brand in 2012.
It transitioned production to a facility in Viborg, Denmark, and maintained the same strict emphasis on minimal tolerances and quality materials, but expanded the scale of manufacturing.
All this history matters because SSI isn't a brand that is known for shortcuts or products that look beautiful but fail to live up to expectations. The quality of each product, the simple installation process, and the capacity to cope with high RPMs mean SSI is still at the top of its game today.
Reasons Porsche Drivers Pick SSI Exhaust Systems
We speak with clients and customers from a diverse range of backgrounds, some of whom are restoring classic Porsches with great care, and others who love their Porsche or their collections and schedule weekend maintenance and upgrades to keep their vehicles in pristine condition.
The reason every kind of driver often chooses SSI is because they know it’s a name they can trust to deliver a perfect fit and flawless driving experience, with a reputation for robust stainless exhausts and heat exchangers that are more than up to the task.
However, we appreciate that there are thousands of alternative exhaust brands available as aftermarket components, some of which are marketed based on their performance, and others on sound. The aspect that makes SSI different is that it aims to deliver a balance, extending the lifespan of the exhaust without impacting the feel of the steering and handling for which each Porsche was created.
SSI exhausts aren’t about booming noises or sleek styling but are for classic Porsche drivers whose main priority is to maintain the authenticity of their vehicles.
Each part is manufactured from rust-resistant T-304 stainless, with bolt-on parts that fit correctly, and deliver better flow while sounding just right, with a clean, accurate tone that doesn’t feel like a vintage Porsche has been ‘tampered with’.
SSI Exhausts and Parts Available From Design911
As you’d expect from the largest stockist of aftermarket, OEM and performance upgrade Porsche parts, we have an extensive selection of SSI products.
They include Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera conversion kits, Porsche 914/4 heat exchanger sets for models built between 1972 and 1975, and exhaust conversion kits for the 911 2.7, an effective upgrade for Porsches built during the prime of air-cooled Porsche manufacture.
Other options include a 41 mm heat exchanger set for high-powered engines that need improved flow, and muffler/silencer rear box sets for the 911 CS, which replaces worn parts with a stainless steel upgrade that offers a deeper sound.
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About Design911
Design911 has established itself as the market leader, offering trade and retail customers a full range of OEM and aftermarket Porsche parts for general servicing and rebuild as well as restoration and tuning. The company supports customers in the UK, EU and world-wide to include USA, Spain, Italy, Germany, France and the Netherlands.
The Design911.com website now sports a Porsche parts finder to help you get the exact aftermarket Porsche part you need. The company's impressive 34,000 sq. ft Essex headquarters comprises a sales department, warehouse, workshop and body shop, as well as a showroom of classic Porsches for sale. In addition a European warehouse - based in Heijningen, Netherlands, secures fast delivery across the EU for a vast range of branded Porsche car parts.
Published by: Steve OBrien