Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2008 18:14:34 -0800
Reply-To: Old Volks Home <oldvolkshome@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Old Volks Home <oldvolkshome@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Muffler options aside from stock <-- that was supposed to
read muffler :)
In-Reply-To: <aeea9b480811070852x6a2b29acgc1ee54dc9cb551b7@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
The only thing out there that EXACTLY fits will be the quiet pack muffler
produced by S&S Headers in Arizona, their Number V285. This muffler is also
used on their header system they produce for the 1.9 Vanagon. But their
price is around $160.00. While it's made very nicely and fits pretty darn
good, the issue is the materials quality and length of service to be
obtained from this muffler. Reports from other vary, but the gist is that
this muffler lasts on average of only a couple of years in moist,
rust-bearing climates, a bit longer here on the drier west coast and
southwest. Has a nice quiet but subtle "throatier" exhaust note.
Most of the "QP" Mufflers out there being offered are made in the Far East
out of VERY POOR quality materials and just don't last very long, especially
on daily drivers. Thats why they go from $40 to $60. USA made materials
and construction can be somewhat higher because of US costs verses Far East
costs - why do you think Bug Pack, EMPI and others chose to move production
these to the Far East? Another reason why that Bus "QP" is more expensive
than the Bug "QP" is that for every 1 Bus "QP: made, there are at least 20
to 40 Bug "QPs" being made to fill the container before it's loaded on the
boat. Quantity=lower costs. The less quantity that an item is made, the
higher the costs
Other than building it yourself from scratch, anything cheaper than that or
a stock muffler and tailpipe is just asking for trouble in the wear and tear
department down the road. I've replaced way too many "QP" mufflers in the
past 30 years on VWs I've owned due to poor materials quality, poor
construction quality and poor fit quality on Beetles & Buses. I've always
gone back to stock because it fits the first time and lasts the longest.
Case in point: I ran an ANSA mfrd stock muffler on my 84 Westy for 10 years
(I'm based in California, but I travel all over the US in my "home"). I
replaced it last year with another ANSA unit because the baffles inside were
rattling around and the exhaust note was starting to become a bit too loud
for my taste. So I pulled and tossed it in favor for a another new one (sure
was nice to have it quiet again). The ANSA unit use to come from Italy, but
now they're being made in Israel, but I haven't detected any quality issues
- they look, weigh and sound the same - excellent quality at what's
considered an affordable price ($120 to $160 depending on the vendor)
compared to the German Ernst ($165 to $200 depending on the vendor).
It's been said before - "You get what you pay for". Sometimes going with
"inexpensive" costs you more in time, money and aggravation in the long run.
But if yer getting ready to sell the vehicle, my point is moot. And
economic times being what they are, if yer strapped for $$, then buy a Bug
"QP", take it down to a muffler/exhaust shop and have them modify it for it
to fit to yer specs.
I just recently pulled apart another 84 Vanagon for spare parts and happen
to have a *good* Ansa Muffler with a tailpipe (surface rust on the
tailpipe), probably a few years old from the looks of it. It's yours for
$45 + Fedex Ground from So Cal - dunno what it weighs or what shipping would
cost though.
My nickel's worth
--
Jim Thompson
84 GL 1.9 "Gloria"
84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
oldvolkshome@gmail.com
http://www.oldvolkshome.com
jim@airheadparts.com
***********************************
On Fri, Nov 7, 2008 at 8:52 AM, Tony Collins <tonycollin@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Fri, Nov 7, 2008 at 11:50 AM, Tony Collins <tonycollin@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Hey folks,
> >
> > My stock 85 vanagon muffler is desintegrating. I like to get something
> like
> > a single quiet pack that I had on my bettles. The orientation is
> different
> > on them, but I have seen some for the later bay windows that look like
> the
> > would work. The issue is price. The particular muffler from bug pack pn#
> > 2576 is almost $85 shipped to me if I bought it thru Mid America.
> >
> > There has to be something cheaper out there. Heck the single quiet packs
> > for bugs are ~$40 and the only real difference I see is the orientation
> of
> > the 3 bolt flange.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Tony
> > --
> > 82 Scirocco "Rodolfo"
> > 85 Vanagon "Blubrik, El Guapo"
>
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