Date: Sun, 17 Mar 1996 08:10:59 -0600 (CST)
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Jonathan.Nowaczek@netalliance.net
Subject: Re: '80 Vanagon exhaust system
Brian Miller writes:
>My '80 Vanagon needs the exhaust system replaced. The van has a catalytic
>converter and my city (Spokane, WA) has stringent emissions testing. The van
>presently does pass emissions testing even though the cat is almost certainly
>useless (rotted out). To avoid future potential hassles, I am willing to
>try and restore the factory exhaust system; ie. Replace the existing components
>and retain the catalytic conveter. However, a check with the dealer indicates
>that the crossover pipe is no longer available. I called Bus Boys and they no
>longer have any.
>
>Is it possible to fabricate the crossover pipe? Could a good muffler shop (not
>Midas) construct one? The crossover pipe is quite complicated. The name is
>misleading. It is not a pipe, but more of a manifold connecting the exhaust
>headers from both sides of the engine. It also has an integral U-shaped pipe
>on the driver's side which connects to the cat (and subsequently the muffler).
>
>So what is the general consensus? Can such a part be fabricated?
>
Alas and alack, I faced this very same situation on my '82 Westy. I contacted
every supplier I could think of, and had all of them check their sources, all
to no avail. The crossover pipe is no more.
"No sweat," thought I, I'll have it fabricated. Time for a reality check. No
muffler shop can make it because they aren't equipped to bend pipe sharply
enough for that unique "J" shape. Several metal shops I took it to declined to
try. The thing is not really made out of pipe, but rather a series of metal
stampings that are welded together. Ok, there's one straight length of pipe in
it. Anyway, I dead-ended on having one made!
Like you, I was concerned about emissions; Minnesota has strict laws and
inspections, so the "extractor"-type exhaust everyone kept referring me to
didn't seem like a solution. Then I discovered the loophole. In Minnesota,
if you convert your registration to RV plates, no emissions inspection
is required. As an added bonus, your annual tax goes from a percentage of the
value of the vehicle to a flat fee based on GVW.
To make a long story short, that's what I ended up doing: Converted to RV
plates, and installed a "C5 extractor" exhaust system for a mere $150, which
fit perfectly, and although slightly louder than stock (my opinion), at least
I don't sound like I'm riding a Harley around town any more.
As an environmentally aware person, I'm not happy about losing the catalytic,
but there's just no other solution out there. I suppose one could rationalize
that since the vehicle is an RV, it gets driven infrequently, and thus
contributes relatively little polution... hmmm...
If somebody could be found who _could_ make these pipes, they'd get a lot of
business. With all the '80-83 Vanagons still on the road, there have to be
thousands of folks who will face this problem sooner or later.
- Jon Nowaczek
'82 Westy
'92 Corrado SLC
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