Itinerant Air-Cooled

I am in need of a muffler for the Vanagon and I ran across this.
http://www.busdepot.com/vw7802026

Yes this set up is non-cat and EGR free which I am already running. My current system is a mix-and-match. I have welded over the EGR bung in the extractor (J-pipe),cat is hollowed out, muffler has holes, and the connecteing pipe between the cat and the muffler leaks. The extractor seems solid but the rest is in need of attention. I could buy a stock muffler but then the rest will need replacing in the near future. The price is just so good but yes it is the give and take. Im just not sure how long this will last.

Anyone ever run this?

Not sure but would YOU buy this?

I have bought that before. It'll last you about 3 years, depending if you drive it in MN salt/snow or not.

With the salt and snow, id give it two years.

I went with the stainless system from Taiwan, and I love it, but it's spendy if you're not sure you'll always own your van.
If you will always own it, I think it just makes the most sense.

If you aren't sure, but don't want total junk in just a few years, look on BusDepot for 071251053E - it should last a lot longer than their EMPI extractor.


http://shop.vintagespeed.com.tw/s.nl/it.A/id.135/.f
This is the one I got and love.

Mulcheese wrote: Not sure but would YOU buy this?

Errr . . . no.

Don't go there. Had one in the 90s. Was not happy w it.
Ran into a similar problem last month. Ended up ordering a new J pipe from summit racing, cut the old flanges from my stock system and rebuilt my stock system using new pipes, old flanges and cat and new muffler and tail pipe. It's sweet and way better than the empi system and passes a normal emissions evaluation.

AZ Landshaper wrote:Don't go there. Had one in the 90s. Was not happy w it.
Ran into a similar problem last month. Ended up ordering a new J pipe from summit racing, cut the old flanges from my stock system and rebuilt my stock system using new pipes, old flanges and cat and new muffler and tail pipe. It's sweet and way better than the empi system and passes a normal emissions evaluation.

I bet it's nice.

I also tried one of those extractors. Couldn't get it to mate cleanly to my heat exchangers, so I went with a stock Vanagon crossover pipe instead (back when you could still get them new).

If you have a sizable tax refund burning a hole in your bank account, consider one of Rocky Mountain Westy's stainless steel air-cooled Vanagon exhaust system. For only $599, it's just a little bit more than the SS muffler Chris referenced. I'll probably spring for one myself when my current exhaust rots through.

airkooledchris wrote: If you aren't sure, but don't want total junk in just a few years, look on BusDepot for 071251053E

I tried to put one of these on my Federal Vanagon last summer after my catalytic converter, muffler plugging incident in Colorado...which resulted in a nice Cherry Bomb muffler on my Vanagon.

Though the Cherry Bomb was functional...it wasn't quite the long-term fix I was looking for. I thought the Ernst muffler from Bus Depot would be nice...as it was supposed to have been "stock" on the European models of Type 4 buses and Vanagons. Well, it didn't quite fit...due to the metal "heat supply" pipes connecting the alternator fan duct and the heater boxes. I mangled the s@#t out of those pipes to try to get it to fit and even tried custom fabricating new pipes from flexible aluminum exhaust repair pipes...to no avail. It was a long and frustrating process that ultimately didn't work. I ended up giving the Ernst muffler to BellePlaine...who was able to get it to fit his bus after removing 1 of the 6 studs...wish I'd thought to try that...but I don't think it would have made it fit the Vanagon. FWIW: BellePlaine reports that it is a "sweet" muffler...and that his bus has never been quieter!
BellePlaine traded me for a more "stock"(Bosal maybe?) muffler and a "Candian-style" straight pipe to take the place of the cat. This is a great set up...but doesn't solve my rusty, hole-ridden cross pipe problem. I haven't been able to find a replacement Federal cross pipe...thought I had a lead on one from a TS classified...but I've yet to hear back.
I'm kind of in the same boat as Mulcheese...I don't really want to put an EMPI on my Vanagon...and I fear the Vintage Speed option (although sweet) might have the same fit issues on a Vanagon as does the Ernst...and it would probably be a huge/expensive hassle to return it to Taiwan. The SS Vanagon exhaust from Rocky Mountain Westy that SlowLane shared looks like a great option...I mean: it is an exhaust system specifically fabricated for an 80-83 air cooled Vanagon!
I think I'll ask them if they would sell only the parts upstream of the cat...

miz

Can you post a picture or part number of the crossover pipe you need? I have a spare here that I was given, but I'm not sure if it will fit.

Amskeptic wrote:
Errr . . . no.

Ya, I know but I thought Id try. It appeared a bit different that the one I saw years ago but I guess not.

I really dont want a whole system as my crossover pipe is still fairly solid. If I could get a muffler to last until the crossover pipe blew out then I think it would be time for what Slowlane or Chris are showing.

So miz you say this wont fit?
http://www.busdepot.com/071251053can

If this doesnt then what does guys???

asiab3 wrote:Can you post a picture or part number of the crossover pipe you need? I have a spare here that I was given, but I'm not sure if it will fit.

Robbie, were you talking to me? I am away from my Bentley right now...but will send a pic of the federal crossover pipe I need when I am back home.

Thanks,
miz

Mulcheese wrote:
So miz you say this wont fit?
http://www.busdepot.com/071251053can

If this doesnt then what does guys???

Nope...that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying this won't fit: http://www.busdepot.com/071251053e...nor will this:http://www.busdepot.com/071251053ek, which is the same thing in a kit with a tailpipe, gaskets, etc..

The muffler in your link looks like it should integrate into a Federal Vanagon exhaust system nicely...just make sure you have a usable "donut" clamp (maybe order a new one?) to join your cat to your muffler.

ps-fwiw: this looks like the "Canadian" straight pipe: http://www.busdepot.com/021251541

asiab3 wrote:Can you post a picture or part number of the crossover pipe you need? I have a spare here that I was given, but I'm not sure if it will fit.

Robbie: what I'm looking for is "E":

...basically this without the cat:


Mulcheese: sorry to hijack your thread...but when one has a possible lead on a federal crossover pipe...well...you understand...

miz

By the way, Mulcheese...if you want a free cherry bomb...for a quick fix...I can help you out!

Sorry to get you excited, I guess I have something different. Probably from a late bay, since it was in a pile with some other parts of that vintage.

...oh well, thanks for checking, Robbie!