Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2007 21:20:06 -0500
Reply-To: Ron Mueller <wasserbox@MSN.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ron Mueller <wasserbox@MSN.COM>
Subject: Re: Need a New Exhaust System, S&S Any Good?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I must say this,and not to degrade anyone's particular product, but after a
lengthy thread at the samba.com regarding a very unusual situation where a
gentleman had a very hard time with the warrantee of the stebro muffler,
with no response for quite some time, from Frank or the manufacture.
Personally, after taking a look at the rectangular unit available from
Canada, and after looking at the price to my door which would exceed
$500.00, I decided to go with the other stainless muffler available, which
was way under $400.00 delivered in less than 4 days, came polished, has 1/4
inch stock type mounting flanges, and fits as well as the stock muffler once
did, and using all of the genuine VW mounting hardware.
I don't really cae for the welded on substitute mounting tab which from what
I understand has a occasional preponderence of snapping off.
The stainless muffler's I have now fitted to both of my Vanagons are a piece
of artwork, and are well worth every penny I spent on them.
The big plus was the offering of either a stock baffled muffler as well as a
turbo muffler.
I have one of each, and am very pleased at how nice they really are.
I like parts that fit well, and just as the stock equipment should fit.
For this I tip my hat to Terry , who has done a magnificent job of
recreating the Vanagon mufler in 304 stainless that fits like a glove.
My advise to anyone looking for a long lasting, good looking muffler take a
good look at what he has to offer.
A+++ craftsmanship.
Ron
----- Original Message -----
From: "Frank Condelli" <RAlanen@AOL.COM<mailto:RAlanen@AOL.COM>>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>>
Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 5:24 AM
Subject: Re: Need a New Exhaust System, S&S Any Good?
> In a message dated 23/04/2007 11:08:16 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> writes:
>
> So my 88 Wolfsburg Auto needs a new exhaust system, I really do not have
> the
> cash for a Ceramic coated unit or stainless steel unit. I was thinking
> of
> getting the S&S unit the Ken sells at Vanagain.
>
> Anyone purchase this? I would love to hear your feedback.
>
> Did it actually provide any horsepower boost?
>
> How long before it starts to rust?
>
> I am in NY State so I know it will rust eventually, is there anything
> that
> it can be coated with to slow the process?
>
> Any special installation issue to be aware of?
>
> Thanks for all your feedback.
>
>
>
>
>
> Robert, may I suggest you consider using my Stainless Steel Exhaust
> system -
> _STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust System_
> (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm<http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm>) . This will insure it's the
> last time you have to have your
> system replaced. The labour to change an exhaust system on a Vanagon can
> vary
> wildly due to the problem of getting the eight connections at the four
> head
> flanges off. If the come loose easily then things are fine. But if any
> of
> the connectors break because they are seized and badly rusted then your
> in for
> some labour charges to fix the problem. It's always best to remove all
> the
> connectors so that the exhaust ports can be cleaned and made flat so the
> new
> gasket will seal well. Then, use all new stainless steel bolts, coated
> with
> anti-seize to install the new headers to the heads. The other
> problematic
> area is the muffler brackets. If your brackets are fine then replacing
> with a
> stock muffler is easy. If your brackets are rusted away then you will
> need to
> remove them and the bolts tend to seize in the engine/muffler carrier and
> can be a lengthy job to remove. Those brackets are expensive dealer
> items only
> hence one of the reasons to consider my STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel
> Muffler, as it comes with it's own integral brackets plus the tail pipe.
> You will
> see on my website an Installation guide for my stainless steel system.
> This
> guide can be useful to anyone installing any system including OEM ones.
> Hope this helps !
>
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> Frank Condelli
> Almonte, Ontario, Canada
> '87 Westy, '90 Carat, '87 Wolfsburg (Forsale) & Lionel Trains
> (_Collection
> for sale_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm<http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm>) )
> _Frank Condelli & Associates_
> (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html<http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html>)
> - Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
> _Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems_
> (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm<http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm>)
> _BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm<http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm>) a VW Camper
> camping event, Almonte, ON, June 07 ~ 10, 2007
> | 
