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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


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