Date:         Wed, 11 Oct 2000 13:05:39 EDT
Reply-To:     JKrevnov@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rico Sapolich <JKrevnov@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: complaints / Dansk Exhaust / Ford Purchase Recommendation
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 10/11/00 10:00:19 AM, ron@NETCARRIER.COM writes:

<< I know it sucks, but you can't blame the parts vendor for

the eccentricities of the vehicle.  Don't like it?  Buy a F*rd. :-)

 >>

This has nothing to do with the eccentricities of the Vanagon.  A few years
ago, Eli Whitney came up with a pretty fair idea.  He called it the System of
Interchangeable Manufacture.  As far as I have been able to determine,
although VW has heard of it, Dansk has not been turned on to the idea.

These are replacement parts, not kits.  If you accept the kind of
machinations that are needed in order to bolt up the Dansk parts, then your
expectations are too low.  Today, in the real world, CNC machines are
spitting out parts to tolerances about which jig makers (the cream of the
crop in machinistdom) used to dream.  It certainly is reasonable to expect a
simple flanged fab piece to hit 3 points.  Contrary to what you profess, it
has been my experience that VW is able to accomplish this minor feat.  No
3/16 inch thick shims; no opening up the mounting holes; no application of
the Blue Wrench.  The VW pipes bolt up; it is that simple.  Do you honestly
think at VW you would ever hear Fritz yell,"Hey, Hans!  Stop the line!  I
have to get the torch."

When my 2nd Dansk system gave up the ghost in short order, I went in search
of a stainless system.  This led me to call a guy from NH who advertises in
the Limbo newsletter.  At the time, he knew of no one making stainless pipes.
 He said that he uses VW pipes which last about 90kmi, so, what more can I
want.  Words of wisdom from an honest man in the Salt Belt.

I am satisfied that the VW pieces fit better.  And, I KNOW they last longer.
But, I am not certain that they cost more.  To check on this I managed to
locate my invoice from a VW dealer for a Syncro rear connection pipe (P/N 025
251 172P).  The list was $206.50 and the net was $165.20.  The BD listing for
this part has it priced at $179.95 plus shipping.  Is this cheaper?  I saved
even more when I went back for a J-pipe because the parts guy was good enough
to set up a wholesale account for me.

To quote a well-known personality:
  << As other listmembers seem to be confirming, fitting exhaust systems is a

b*tch. >>

Well, life's a bitch and then you die . . . or buy a Dansk exhaust system.

Rich