Thanks to everybody for the responses.  Looks like I'll be playing with the
Van again.  It's funny - I really look forward to working on it so there's
this little part of me that hopes that there's always going to be some
repair to do.  But like I said, a little part of me.

Anyway.  I heard from a few people that the brackets are a necessity, since
the collector pipe can crack if there's no bracket - this is exactly true.
I had to replace the pipe because it cracked all the way around the O2
sensor and I couldn't pass smog otherwise.

I also heard that a much cheaper solution is to use pipe tape (the metal
strips with holes drilled every inch or so) to brace it.

Has anyone else done this?  Is it a viable solution, or might it cause
problems that will end up costing me more than the muffler brackets down the
road?

Thanks-
-eric

'85 Westy Vanagon GL