My Catalytic Adventure

[vwlover77]

I like my Bus to be as enviromentally responsible as it can be. OK, that's elitist crap. Actually, my wife has a very sensitive nose and hates even the slightest smell of "raw exhaust". I figured a catalytic converter was the answer. As a California '78, the bus was equipped from the factory with one, but somewhere along the line the stock exhaust was removed and replaced with a "quiet extractor" system.

I begin gathering the parts quite a while ago. Thanks to Regis101, I got a good deal on the crossover pipe and a brand new elbow/junction connector. eBay got me a brand new converter for $40. Then the challenge became the muffler. Kyle was nice enough to give me a complete stock muffler, but it was long enough to interfere with my "custom fabricated" trailer hitch that was designed around the aftermarket exhaust.

After numerous failed attempts to find a muffler that would fit somewhere locally, a guy at a chain muffler shop gave me a tip: "It sounds crazy, but check out Tractor Supply." I now have a muffler for an International tractor that fits in the available space and gives a nice, low "rumble" to the exhaust. Not too loud, just enough to be fun.

The best news is that the catalytic converter completely knocks out the smell of exhaust once it warms up. I was amazed. My wife's nose is happy, and I suppose I'm spewing less pollution too.

[Gypsie]

=D> =D> =D>

Your environment and good husband merit badges are in the mail.



(Yeah, I know, the scouts have done growed up.)

[chitwnvw]

Wow are you whipped! Ok, I'd be up for the challenge, too.

What? You don't like exhaust fumes? What's wrong with you? What? No, baby the smell of burning oil is part of the charm of a 35 year old vehicle...

What?...

Ok, baby, I'll get the Cat.

Nice sniffy around and finding stuff that worked, Don.

[dhoch14]

awesome stuff! I would love to do this, but alas, I have a 73.

[Maz804]

My brother would like to do this too... He HAS to according to Portland DEQ even though his motor is from a 1975 and transplanted into a 1979.

He is not allowed to drive it anymore because he's used up his trip permits.

So now it sits in a field. Too bad, cause it runs like a freakin' champ too!

He'll most likely sell his bus because he's sick of getting the run around with muffler shops that wont touch it because it's not a stock system.

I'm glad I have a 1971... :)

[vwlover77]

What style exhaust system does he have on it now?

[Maz804]

He has a stock 1975 motor, but it's not a "stock" motor for a 1979 bus that the DEQ people want to see. He couldn't put the 1979 exhaust on there because of the different shaped head ports.

[chitwnvw]

Sounds like it needs to be sold out of state.

[vwlover77]

He has a stock 1975 motor, but it's not a "stock" motor for a 1979 bus that the DEQ people want to see. He couldn't put the 1979 exhaust on there because of the different shaped head ports.

Can they tell the difference in the engine model years? If memory serves, the '72-'74 heater boxes would work with his '75 motor, and the stock '79 federal crossover pipe, cat, and exhaust would then bolt right up to the heater boxes.