Marshall wrote:

> I wonder if any of you have experience using a generic muffler in place of the stock.

Yes
On our '86 Syncro Doublecab is the stock VW muffler and stock hangers. Looks good, sounds good, rides well. A very nice set up as stock should.
On our '86 Syncro Westfalia I has a 'generic' muffler with kluged hangers. The stock VW hangers never fit the 'generic' muffler well thus the home made ones.
Even these hangers allowed some vibration which eventually led to the 'J' pipe braking.
Now on our '86 Syncro, I have replaced all of the pipes with stock VW ones from the Bus Depot but I now have a STEBRO stainless muffler from Frank Condelli.
The muffler comes with its own hangers and tail pipe. This looks very good, sounds good but different, rides very well. A very nice set up and it look good.
Larry