Heater Pipe Early Versus FI Cars Differences?

Maintenance advice to keep your Spider in shape.
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RRoller123
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Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
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Heater Pipe Early Versus FI Cars Differences?

Post by RRoller123 »

Hello folks:

I see that there are 2 different heater pipes (this is the pipe that comes off the back of the water pump and runs along the side of the block to meet the hoses for the cabin heater). The earlier one doesn't have the nipple that feeds the TPH, and the later one does have the nipple.

Is this the only difference? Since I am removing my TPH, I would either have to plug the nipple, or install an older style heater pipe. If the older style pipe fits a 2L 80FI Block, it would be a more reliable configuration than either plugging the nipple or plugging a short length of its hose.

Anyone know the answer to this?

Pete
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
So Cal Mark

Re: Heater Pipe Early Versus FI Cars Differences?

Post by So Cal Mark »

they interchange
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RRoller123
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Re: Heater Pipe Early Versus FI Cars Differences?

Post by RRoller123 »

Excellent, thanks Mark. That is the way I will go.
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
TX82FIAT
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Re: Heater Pipe Early Versus FI Cars Differences?

Post by TX82FIAT »

Pete, they are both the same measurements as I removed the my THP and replaced with earlier non nipple pipe. If ordering one of the nice stainless steel pipes use something to help mount it to one of the exhaust manifold studs. The new pipes are cool but I don't like the idea of a lot of play. the metal is thin where the dog ear connects to the water pipe and movement in my opinion will equal a leak in that area over time.
Buon giro a tutti! - enjoy the ride!

82 Fiat Spider 2000
03 BMW M3
07 Chevy Suburban
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KevAndAndi
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Re: Heater Pipe Early Versus FI Cars Differences?

Post by KevAndAndi »

TX82FIAT wrote:Pete, they are both the same measurements as I removed the my THP and replaced with earlier non nipple pipe. If ordering one of the nice stainless steel pipes use something to help mount it to one of the exhaust manifold studs. The new pipes are cool but I don't like the idea of a lot of play. the metal is thin where the dog ear connects to the water pipe and movement in my opinion will equal a leak in that area over time.
Coincidentally, I just wrote a post posing a question about this, and then I saw this post.

I have the SS pipe. What is the best way to support it?

Also, in case Mark reads this, I would like to point out that the nipple doesn't appear to be in an ideal orientation. In my car, it basically causes the hose that comes off the nipple to be jabbed into the firewall. Seems it could be turned a few degrees to avoid that problem.
Kevin
1981 Spider 2000
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Re: Heater Pipe Early Versus FI Cars Differences?

Post by RRoller123 »

Hey fellows thanks for the inputs.

You could support it with a wrap around pipe hanger attached to one of the exhaust studs. This is similar to how it was originally supported.

Pete
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
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