I think one would be hard-pressed to find a less expensive alternative to
the kit mentioned in Rich's post.  Speaking from first hand experience, both
as a former Vanagon parts seller, current owner and installer of the
"spaghetti" of pipes on the Wasserboxer, I have yet to find an exhaust shop
willing to even consider tackling the Vanagon exhaust system, they either
laugh uncontrollably or run screaming hell-bent-for-leather ;-)  Funny thing
is, this is Southern California where modified exhausts in the craziest
sense is KING.

But the quality and fit of today's Dansk pipes are very good, at least they
have been for me.  Having installed Dansk mfd pipes and an ANSA mfd stock
style muffler, I have run this setup for the past 7 years and thousands of
miles traveling back and forth across the country with only having to
replace the "collector pipe" (from the front and rear header to the
catalytic converter)(cracked) and the cat itself and this includes
inspecting the exhaust system when I recently (Mar 04) rebuilt the engine on
my "Ole Putt".  The muffler, with it's age and miles is just now starting to
signs of deterioration and will probably be replaced this winter with
another ANSA unit.

As any true-blue VW owner that keeps a spare parts stash, I do have spare
headers (front & rear, new), a collector pipe (new) and related for when the
time comes to replace them.  I will admit I've been lucky enough to be in
areas where rust isn't a major concern, but I've been mostly living next to
beach in Southern California for the past 4 years, exposed daily to the salt
air, marine layer, etc.

YMMV

Jim Thompson
84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
oldvolkshome@earthlink.net
jim@karmannghia.com
http://www.oldvolkshome.com
***********************
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rich Pournelle" <rich@XCOR.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2004 4:55 PM
Subject: Exhaust Pipe Question

> I have an 87' Vanagon Westfalia and the exhaust pipes are looking pretty
> rusty. I just got done with a cross-country drive and you can hear there
is
> some sort of exhaust leak. I think it is probably time for new pipes & a
> muffler. One option is to buy the complete kit for $469 and have it
installed.
>
> http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=025251053GK
>
> Is this the best route to go or can I get a shop to bend exhaust pipes to
> spec for me? My guess is this would save some money, I wanted to see if
> anyone had gone down this route.
>
> Rich