Date: Sat, 18 Sep 2004 09:35:26 EDT
Reply-To: THX0001@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: George Goff <THX0001@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Exhaust Pipe Question / No Question for Me
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In a message dated 9/17/04 3:24:25 PM, vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM writes:
<< Then we disagree, although I would not be so rude as to call your
opinion "hogwash" . . . >>
Because you can't. Anyway, I don't disagree with you . . . you are simply
wrong. You told the innocents reading this list that "These Danish made pipes
are direct copies of the originals and have the same fit and quality as what
the dealer sells, but for much less money." Subsequently you said, "No they are
not identical,". Which is it this time, Ron? Stop the hogwash, the two are
simply not equivalent.
Holding the two side-by-side for comparison will only tell you how shoddy the
aftermarket pipes are made. But, clamp them to a surface plate and then
check all the measurements. I KNOW the aftermarket pipes are no where near where
they should be. If an exhaust port flange is cocked just a little, the pipe
will be way out on the other end.
As far as the welds go, I am not talking about how neat they are, although
that says manifolds about the man who made them, I'm talking about the integrity
of the welds and not having to suffer the nuisance of facing off the flanges,
because of some slopped on filler metal, before bolting up the pipes.
The factory pipes do not require an oxyacetylene torch to install as yours
do. I've even replaced one factory pipe at a time with no need to force them
into alignment. And heating an exhaust pipe to workable temperature only
shortens its life.
Then there is the almighty dollar and the cost of one over the other. I see
no great bargain here; for something to be a bargain it has to also have
value. In my experience and in my part of the universe the aftermarket pipes I
have seen last 1/3 to 1/2 the life of VW factory pipes. That's no bargain. In
fact at least one of the Syncro pipes listed at BusDepot costs more than the
last one I bought at the local dealer without the additional expense of shipping.
Did you say stainless? Now, please tell, which one of the vendors reported
on this list that his stainless headers were being fabricated with mild steel
flanges? That design must have made sense to someone somewhere.
I flatly recommend to any one replacing a Vanagon exhaust system to coil up
their torch hose and to spend the money for the factory parts, it will be
cheaper in the end and without the risk of bitching the exhaust stud tappings. If
you want to save some dough, install a Walker/Napa muffler; they're cheap,
have a lifetime warranty and are available every where. Use stainless fasteners
and lather some anti-seize (Fel-Pro C-5A, the BEST if you can find it) on all
the fasteners and the gaskets, then changing the muffler is easy and only
costs the price of a couple gaskets.
Some 15 years ago, whenever I started on the path to Vanagon exhaust pipe
Nirvana, Gordi of 4ever4 in the exhaust-eating epicenter of New Hampshire told me
to use only VW factory pipes. But I was then stupid and cheap, so I
disregarded his wisdom. After much misery and misspent dollars, I am now humbled and
I see the truth in his words.
George
PS: This country has become so awash with junk that the word "value" is
almost passe. From shoes to rubber bands, from Levi 501's to KichenAid mixers we
are being fed a steady diet of increasingly inferior goods fueled by some
perverse more-is-more mentality. So, I'm going to bore you all with an anecdote
about what value really means.
About a dozen years ago I went to my tailor, Mr. Balagusz (Lord have Mercy,
Lord have Mercy, Lord have Mercy) to see about having him make a duffle coat
for me. Mr. Balagusz was a great guy. He looked sort of like a lean Otto
Preminger, complete with accent and a constant twinkle in his bright blue eyes. He
was old and from the Old School. Following WWII he had made topcoats from
army blankets for his fellow inmates in the refugee camps of Eastern Europe.
I was having trouble finding a decent duffle coat to replace the one I had
for so long. I showed Mr. Balagusz my duffle coat and boasted how it had served
me well for nearly twenty years. With that he went into the back room of his
shop and brought out a garment bag. In it was a topcoat he had made whenever
he first arrived in the US. If I had seen a swatch of the material from
which the coat was made, I would have thought it was tacky. It was a muted
blue-green color woven in a strong twill pattern. But, it was as soft as the breast
I suckled as a baby and when he put it on, he looked elegant. With a sly
smile, he told me that coat would soon be FIFTY years old.
I asked him if he could replicate my duffle coat. He said he could but he
would not do it. Saying, "I make you beautiful coat," he went on to explain
that since his work was the greatest part of the cost of a garment, it would be
foolish for him to make a course duffle coat for me when for a few dollars more
he could make a fine topcoat.
That brought us to the crux of the matter: how much? Now, from the work he
had done for me previously, I knew he was the most expensive tailor in my burg,
but he was also the best. Still, I was not ready for 4 figures to roll off
his tongue so easily. Somewhat in a state of shock, I mumbled my thanks and
told him that I would consider it.
Once home, I told my curious Sweetheart what had transpired. Without batting
and eye, she said, "Good. Go back and have him measure you." That gave me
the opportunity to explain the realities of the matter to her, such as: it's
too expensive and I have a nearly new Brooks Brothers coat in the closet which
was not cheap in and of itself. She countered with women's logic: Mr. Balagusz
is a wonderful man who does beautiful work; you always complain that few
things fit you right; you'll have it the rest of your life. That struck a cord
and I found myself standing in the middle of Mr. Balagusz's shop, my beaming
wife sitting nearby with the pug we would also eventually buy from Mr. Balagusz
dozing on her lap.
The coat turned out to be a bargain. From the hand stitched buttonholes to
the finest Cashmere material to the soft woolen doeskin pocket linings, it is
in a class by itself. My wife was right, I will have it the rest of my life
and it will always look great. The best thing of all about a garment of this
caliber is the fit. Whenever I put it on, I forget that I am wearing it. For
what it cost I could have several lesser garments, but now I don't have to
concern myself with buying another one.
The following year, after I had fully recovered from sticker shock, I decided
to have Mr. Balagusz make a three piece suit for me. Sadly, I waited a
little too long for he fell asleep with the Lord. I guess I stayed stupid for too
long . . . less IS more.
