Anybody tried these....

901 Views 14 Replies 6 Participants Last post by MrG, Sep 29, 2006

MrG

Discussion Starter · Sep 28, 2006

Looking at getting some new heat exchangers for my bug, and I've come across some in the Cool Air catalogue they're calling the "Ultra Heat Exchanger Kit".

Kit goes for £200, as opposed to £45-£60 per exchanger from the other usual suspects, so they're a bit dearer.

Claimed features:

- Powder coated for corrosion resistance.
- Large aluminium heat sinks (supposedly 15-25% more heat)
- Laser-cut exhaust flanges for positive seal.

I can't find a link to this kit on their website, but it's in their 2006 catalogue.

Just wondered if anyone's used these and got an opinion on them. Any improvement or just hype?

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

PITACHOO

· #2 · Sep 28, 2006

imo the powder coating is a good idea. but not sure about the extra volume for heat. reason being that the original size heat exchangers pump out the heat when correctly fitted anyways. i personally wouldn't pay out the extra £100approx for it. maybe look at how much it would be to get originals powder coated? i guess it depends on how long yr intending to keep the car for as well :hangloose

Phatman

· #3 · Sep 29, 2006

Having larger heatsinks like the original German ones had is a good idea as it kicks out more heat, but I don't think it warants doubling the price! Laser cut flanges?...I use a large file to give 'a positive seal'. I keyed up the paint with some wet and dry then sprayed my after market Danish ones with black heat resistant paint and 3 years later there's no rust on the outside. The rocker boxes tend to keep them rust free

Next time I'll go for J tubes to preserve my heater channels.

Peter

· #4 · Sep 29, 2006

You can't get larger heat sinks than with a Genuine exchanger. So, if these are aftermarket, then 15-25% better than other aftermarket isn't enough. They maybe Dansk (or similar) heaters which have been powder coated, and those were never that good anyway.

Bada Ben

· #5 · Sep 29, 2006

Are Genuine ones still available ? if so what is the current price ?
The ones Heritage list at £59, can't be original, (or can they ?)

Peter

· #6 · Sep 29, 2006

I believe they are still available, but not at £59!

mattp

· #7 · Sep 29, 2006

Peter said:
I believe they are still available, but not at £59!

They do come up for sale at various times, but this year it took me 7mths to find a NOS pair.

They were also a lot more than £59ea

Good luck

Phatman

· #8 · Sep 29, 2006

I doubt VW have made them for 20 years, you can pick up genuine ones second hand at shows - you can tell genuine ones because they're a lot heavier and the fins inside are properly formed and long, not blobby. My Dansk ones are fairing well and do give out heat, but don't scold my ankles

Peter

· #9 · Sep 29, 2006

Phatman said:
I doubt VW have made them for 20 years....

Yes, they have been available, at least up to the last few years. I will see if I can find out.

Bada Ben

· #10 · Sep 29, 2006

Peter said:
Yes, they have been available, at least up to the last few years. I will see if I can find out.

I've seen Mexican ones advertised, but I understand that they don't have any heat exchanger fins in them, (warm climate equipment). I also have been told that there are some which are a different shape, and may only fit the Mexican Fuel injected engine's exhaust system. All very confusing

Peter

· #11 · Sep 29, 2006

Laurence Fletcher said:
I've seen Mexican ones advertised, but I understand that they don't have any heat exchanger fins in them......I also have been told that there are some which are a different shape, and may only fit the Mexican Fuel injected engine's exhaust system.....

That is correct. Mexican heat exchangers are effectively J-tubes inside the casing. It probably has more to do with the cost than anything else.

However, there is no difference between heaters on a Mexican FI engine and the carb units. There is a big difference on the old US/Canda/Japan 'AJ' FI engines.

Peter

· #12 · Sep 29, 2006

I forgot to mention that the Mexicans could purchase the 'proper' heaters at their dealers, if they wanted to.

Bada Ben

· #13 · Sep 29, 2006

Peter said:
I forgot to mention that the Mexicans could purchase the 'proper' heaters at their dealers, if they wanted to.

Thanks for explaining the FI exchangers.
So up to recently, VW Mexico were still making 'proper' heat exchangers as an Original Accessory. Those would be the ones to find, but probably extremely expensive,

Peter

· #14 · Sep 29, 2006

Laurence Fletcher said:
....So up to recently, VW Mexico were still making 'proper' heat exchangers as an Original Accessory.....probably extremely expensive...

No, I think they are German made (or somewhere near by). They are expensive, costing nearly six times as much as the non-finned type!

MrG

Discussion Starter · #15 · Sep 29, 2006

Thanks for the replies guys.

I think I might go for the cheaper ones and then maybe paint them myself and see how I get along. Can't wait until a pair of NOS exchangers come up at a show - it's starting to get cold now!

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.