Date: Fri, 8 Nov 2002 13:06:50 -0500
Reply-To: Doug Fitz-Randolph <fitzr@SUSCOM-MAINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Doug Fitz-Randolph <fitzr@SUSCOM-MAINE.NET>
Subject: Re: exhaust quality questions (amendment)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Ken Wrote: "I have had a few customers have problems installing them,
but I wonder if the problem was caused by the S&S header or if they
were installing them improperly. "
As one of Ken's customers who ended up removing and exchanging an S&S system
for stock, I'd just like to point out the issues I had, which have appeared
on the list before. This applies to my '90 Syncro.
1) The pipe for the front two cylinders did not clear the skid frame - i.e.
the skid frame could not be installed once the pipe was in place because the
pipe was improperly bent where it crossed under the engine/trans. The stock
pipe has sort of an "m" bend at this point specifically to clear the skid
frame. The S&S crossover pipe has a slight "m", but the bends were not deep
enough to be of any use. I has no desire to modify my skid frame in order to
accommodate the pipe.
2) On the same pipe, the flanges that attach to the cylinder head were not
parallel / on the same plane. When one flange was flush and securely
fastened, the other was off at an angle. Even carefully and slowly
tightening the bolts back and forth from the left head to the right, I ended
up stripping out part of the threads on the right head.
These were physical problems with the construction of the front crossover
pipe. The rest of the system went in without issue. In fact, the muffler
mounting system was very nice and simple - although the tailpipe is left
pointing at an odd, slightly upwards angle - such that it will blow water on
the thighs of anyone unlucky enough to be standing a few feet behind the van
when it starts.
Those concerns aside, I found the exhaust note to be quite unpleasantly
boomy and droning - obviously louder than stock. The exhaust is also less
restrictive than stock, so while you may notice some improvement in
performance at the top end of the RPM range, it adds horsepower at the
expense of torque, and the decrease in bottom end pulling power is both
noticeable and IMO undesirable for a vehicle like a Vanagon.
Since for most people replacing an exhaust system is an infrequent and
time-consuming project, I would highly recommend thinking carefully about
whether saving some $ is worth the risk of having to do the job twice, or
having your van out of commission for a week while you wait for replacement
parts, or having to take a hacksaw to your skid frame, or being stuck with
an exhaust you don't like for the next 4 years. Having learned the hard way
enough times, I feel qualified to say "Pay now or pay later" is generally
good advice.
By the way, Ken's service and willingness to accommodate during all this
was, as always, excellent.
Doug Fitz-Randolph
'90 Syncro, '86 Pritsche
Freeport, ME