Date:         Thu, 21 Sep 2000 11:03:50 -0400
Reply-To:     The Bus Depot <ron@NETCARRIER.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         The Bus Depot <ron@NETCARRIER.COM>
Subject:      STAINLESS STEEL mufflers for $104!  Stainless systems $599!  (RE:
              Muffler question)
In-Reply-To:  <LAW-F48BeEpAPzQjdAB0000ac82@hotmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

> I am taking my '87 Westy in to get a new muffler/ exhaust system tomorrow.
> while talking to the guy @ the shop, he said that they use Ansle or Bosal
> mufflers.  Are they good?  I was thinking of using the Stebro,
> but he hadn't ever heard of that brand.


The Ansa and Bosal mufflers are basically the same, and both are good
quality (although inferior to the stainless-steel Stebro).

BUT...

I am now shipping STAINLESS STEEL 2.1 liter ('86-91) mufflers for the SAME
PRICE that I normally charge for non-stainless ($104.50 including listmember
discount).  These mufflers look the same as the stock muffler but have
stainless steel bodies (flanges and the external heat shield are not
stainless).

In my catalog, the muffler is noted as "stainless steel when available."
This is because the stainless version is very hard to come by and I can
rarely get enough quantity to keep them in stock.  Since they only cost me a
few dollars more when I _can_ get them, I don't charge extra for them, but I
can't always get them.

Recently I managed to import a good quantity of the Stainless variety
directly from the manufacturer.  It took two months to get them but finally
I have some quantity for once. This means that until they're gone, everyone
who orders a 2.1L muffler from me will get stainless for no extra charge.  I
would guess that I have about a two month supply (unless listmembers snap
them up faster than I expect :-), after which I will go back to shipping the
non-stainless ones for the same price.  This might be a good time to take a
look under your van and see if your exhaust system looks like it will make
it past the upcoming winter.

You can also use these mufflers in conjunction with my STAINLESS STEEL
crossover (header) pipes to get a nearly 100% stainless exhaust system for
your Vanagon (everything stainless except for the cast-iron collector pipe,
the short connecting pipe, and the tailpipe).  Currently I have the whole
system on sale for $599.95 plus shipping, including listmember discount.
This sale price will only be good for a few weeks.  This includes the
muffler, all pipes and gaskets, but not hardware or cat converter (which is
$99 and not stainless).

Sorry, no stainless parts are presently available for '83-85 Vanagons.  As
for Syncros, while the muffler noted above _does_ fit a Syncro, the complete
system will not because the front crossover pipe is different. (You could
use the stainless rear pipe, though.)

Part number for the muffler is 025 251 053G; for the complete system it's
025 251 053KS. You can order by part number toll-free at 1-888-819-DEPOT.
(Specify that you're a listmember when you call.)  You can also order via
the website.  Listmember pricing will not automatically come up on the
website, but if you specify that you're a listmember on the comments section
of the order page your price will be reduced manually prior to shipping.

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  http://www.busdepot.com
  (215) 234-VWVW