Hi Jason, Merry X-Mas. I have had the S&S system on my 90 vanagon since August,and first the installation took me about 2 hrs, not counting the removal of the original system thats a whole other story. Well the S&S system took a few days for me to fix ( adjust ) so it would not touch and vibrate. As for the sound, I find it to be louder then stock and is a bit boomy at idle and low rpm. Not bad at highway speed but still louder then stock. As for rust, took about 3 weeks to show rust. It's now totaly rusted except the muffler. I live in NY. If I have to do it again, and I am sure it wont be long, I will go stock. I know it cost more but I think it's a lot better. After all the original lasted 12 years except the muffler and the J pipe that were replaced once.Well I hope I helped.
John 90 vanagon gl