Date: Sat, 1 Sep 2001 17:23:47 -0700
Reply-To: Coby Smolens <cobys5@HOME.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Coby Smolens <cobys5@HOME.COM>
Subject: Re: $89 Stainless Steel 2.1L Connecting Pipes - and OEM German
1.9L mufflers (not stainless)
In-Reply-To: <IBEMIMEBBBEOIIGIKKAHAEKCCHAA.vanagon@busdepot.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Just a picky-note: In order to set the initial fuel/air mixture it is
necessary to measure upstream of the cat. Testing to meet state established
standards happens at the tailpipe, of course. Mostly they (state air quality
control boards, etc.) couldn't care less what goes IN - they want to know
what's coming out the end. We, of course, need to know that we're not
overburdening our expensive catalytic converters (AND valves, rings,
cylinder walls, and so on) with more (also expensive) fuel than is good for
them. It is quite possible, for example, for a new catalytic converter to
clean up to easily passing levels exhaust content dirty enough to foul it in
a few weeks running.
The idea of putting a hole in the system and plugging it up again is
certainly not a new one - many older vans have this port so rusty it's
impossible to use it without such measures taken. We would normally cut one
off a used system (one of the benefits of California living) and weld it in
Most repair shops (mine included, up until now) do not have the "wand"
described in Ron's post, although it certainly isn't a big deal to fabricate
one (which I intend to do forthwith so as to cope with the anticipated flood
of stainless steel systems my customers are certain to be clamoring for from
now on). I mention this as a "heads up": If you are relying on your local
repair shop to set up the fuel mixture, you might want to ask them how
they're going to set the mixture. If they check it DOWNSTREAM of the cat,
they are not doing you a service. A reading of .7 percent CO at the tailpipe
(OE standard setting) on a system with a good cat means a VERY over-rich
initial mixture.
An idea: It should be possible to braze a port on. It would be a relatively
simple and quick
procedure (if you can find the little SS pipe stock) to thread the end to
match the cap from the dealer... I'll look into this - I'll make up some
extras and let y'all know when they're available. I imagine the whole thing
would take half an hour plus maybe ten dollars in materials. Then any shop
with an analyzer can set the mixture properly without having to get out a
drill, find the right screw or deal with welding equipment.
FWIW -
Coby Smolens
Valley Wagonworks
VW Bus and Vanagon Specialists
"Intimately acquainted with VW Vans since 1959"
1535 SF Drake Blvd, San Anselmo, CA 94960
415-457-5628
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of The Bus Depot
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2001 6:20 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: $89 Stainless Steel 2.1L Connecting Pipes - and OEM German 1.9L
mufflers (not stainless)
A while back I announced that I had received my first shipment of European
made Stainless Steel connecting pipes for '86-91 Vanagons (2wd and Syncro).
This is the pipe that connects to the catalytic converter. However. at the
time, I only had a small first shipment, so I was only able to offer it as
part of my Stainless Steel Exhaust System, but could not sell it separately.
I have now received my full shipment, so I can offer it "a la carte" as
well. Best of all, the price is only $89 - just $20 more than the mild
steel version, for Stainless! For this small difference in price it's well
worth it. These are very nice quality, from a factory that makes high-end
stainless Porsche exhaust parts.
I should perhaps note, since someone mentioned it previously regarding the
Stebro version, that mine also does not have a port for the exhaust analyzer
like the original VW pipe had. (Stebro does offer as an option a version
that adds a port for $165; also, my mild steel version has a port.) Frankly
I did not think this was worth the additional expense. Many vehicles do not
come factory-equipped with such a port to begin with. If for some reason a
mechanic needs to create such a port, it is common to simply drill a very
small hole and insert a small wand into it for testing, then seal the hole
with a tiny screw. (Note that such a port is not needed for emissions
testing, which is done via the exhaust pipe.) So I have no plans to offer a
version with the port due to the additional cost.
In other news, I have imported a quantity of genuine German Leistritz
mufflers for '83-85 watercooled vans. (No, not stainless, sorry.) By
bypassing the US distributor I was able to get them for the same cost as the
aftermarket Ansa and Bosal ones that I previously offered. So as long as
supplies hold out, I am now shipping OE German 1.9L mufflers for the same
price that I was previously charging for aftermarket.
Part numbers:
Stainless '85-91 connecting pipe: 025 251 147BMS $89.95
Complete Stainless 86-91 exhaust system (non-syncro; stainless pipes,
stainless-bodied muffler, cast iron collector pipe, mild steel tailpipe):
025 251 053KS $629 (Note: only 6 kits left in stock, then backordered for
2-3 months)
83-85 German Leistritz Muffler: 025 251 053E $76
Complete (non-stainless) '83-85 exhaust system including above muffler: 025
251 053EK $285
Prices include listmember discount, which you must ask for when ordering.
Complete systems do not include cat converter.
As always, you can order toll-free or via the website.
- Ron Salmon
The Bus Depot, Inc.
(215) 234-VWVW
www.busdepot.com
_____________________________________________
Toll-Free for Orders Only: 1-866-BUS-DEPOT
