Date:         Tue, 11 Apr 2006 19:42:21 -0700
Reply-To:     rpc <populuxe59@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         rpc <populuxe59@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Muffler--should I change?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Hello,
  I am about to change the muffler support brackets and hold down bands. They are rusted and nearly gone. (1990 MV with 176,000) The muffler is original and seems go have gotten louder over the past year. Not deafening but louder than it should be. I thought it would be straight forward to change it out.  I hate the loud sound. I can hear my wife driving through the neighborhood 2-3 blks away. When the speedometer is reading between 60-70 mph it's sometimes too loud to hold a conversation.
   I assume it's the muffler-- burnt out, but I had the Vanagon in the muffler shop today and the vanagon-friendly mechanic asked me how I knew it was the muffler and said he'd run 'er for a while yet. He did the glove over tailpipe test and said "no leaks" but he has never rode on the highway in it. He also said a new muffler may be louder that the original muffler.
  When I am on the highway and shut off the engine the thunderous sound goes away. I have no problems with performance.
  Thought I would post the question in case I was missing something here--now that the muffler guy has me second guessing myself now...am I just getting old and square?

  Does anyone have an opinion on the quietest muffler??  The muffler guy said I was welcome to supply the parts and he'd charge me labor.
  Thanks,
  Chris C 90mv