Date: Mon, 15 Nov 2004 20:16:13 -0800
Reply-To: "Andrew G. Martin" <agmartin@GIS.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Andrew G. Martin" <agmartin@GIS.NET>
Subject: Re: S&S muffler installation - anybody got photos?
In-Reply-To: <001f01c4cb92$302dfb00$78c907cf@gis.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I should proof read! This should read; "So far it is much quieter and does
NOT rattle like the old one did."
AGM
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Andrew G. Martin
Sent: Monday, November 15, 2004 8:10 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: S&S muffler installation - anybody got photos?
I installed a set of S&S headers and muffler on my 85 Westfalia with a stock
1.9 L engine. Everything fit well but the system came with a weird
assortment of nuts and bolts, some useful some not. I had the transmission
out (thanks Daryl) when I installed the exhaust so installation and fitment
was easy. My engine seemed to run smoother with the new exhaust although
slightly louder than stock at idle. Within the first couple of months I
noticed that the muffler got louder and began to rattle from the inside. I
spoke with and e-mailed the vendor that sold the system to me but never got
any real response to my problem I had hoped that it might get replaced
under warrantee but as I said, the vendor didn't respond. I waited
patiently for two months then ordered a new S&S muffler from a different
vendor. I have installed it exactly the same way I installed the first one.
So far it is much quieter and does rattle like the old one did. Inspection
of the old S&S muffler revealed cracks and exhaust leaks where the mounting
tabs are welded to the muffler and cracks and leaks around the inlet flange
on the Cat side.
As I said earlier, I installed the new S&S muffler exactly the same as the
old one. To secure the muffler to the rest of system, I used the stud tabs
on the rear header flanges to attach 2 stock exhaust brace/bars that I
modified to fit. I also added a couple of exhaust pipe clamps and a piece
of steel bar stock to secure the pipe before the Cat to the header pipe. I
don't see how it would fit any other way. Everything is tight and the
entire system moves together with the engine, as it should. But I'm still
not satisfied and I fear the new one will fail as the old one did. I know
the new vendor will stand behind what they sell but if I have somehow I
installed this thing incorrectly I want to know sooner rather that louder
(pun intended) because I'm down 160 bucks. I would appreciate it if
another S&S exhaust system user could e-mail me some photos that show how
they installed their system and braced their muffler. I will gladly send
back photos of mine if wanted.
Thanks!
Andrew
Andrew G. Martin
Gloucester MA
agmartin@gis.net
'85 Westfalia 165K
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