COST.  If you compare the prices of just the header pipes (which is all
the S&S system will consist of at the moment) the 2.1l header that you
sell is $980 and it still has the cast iron piece in it so technically
it is not completely stainless.  I would guestimate the S&S header to
cost about half (or less).  The parts that you might need to repair the
system would be readily available from S&S if you needed them.  And they
systems are made and available for shipping in the US so there is no
customs to have to deal with for us here in the US.  At the moment S&S
has no plans to make their muffler out of stainless so there is still a
place for the Stebro muffler if you wanted a completely stainless
system.  I think they are going to wait and see if the header is popular
before working on a muffler.

That's my take on it.  I have been in this business for a long time.
Don't fear a new product coming into the market.  There are still going
to be folks who prefer your product and are willing to pay the premium
for it.  The S&S system would just be a cheaper alternative that folks
who would probably never buy your system because of cost, would buy.  It
probably will not hurt you at all.  Just my opinion.

Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
.

Frank Condelli wrote:

>In a message dated 2/2/2006 8:42:53 P.M. Mountain Standard Time,
>h.brouwer@sympatico.ca writes:
>
>I was  talking with the folks at S&S Headers today and they are interested  in
>bringing out a version of their header system for the Vanagon in  304
>Stainless Steel.
>
>
>    Volks, there already is a complete stainless steel  exhaust system
>available for all waterboxer engined Vanagons.  See my _STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless
>Steel  Exhaust System_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)  and _Vanagon
>Items Forsale_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/sales.htm)  webpages.  I have
>spent countless hours and dollars over  the past eight years getting these parts
>to market.  Why reinvent the wheel  ?  Beyond me.  Once you get involved with a
>redesigned system you will  be locked into them.  If a part fails and is not
>repairable while on a  trip you will have no choice other than wait for
>compatible parts to be shipped  to you.  With my system all parts are OEM spec
>dimensions and are  interchangeable with any OEM quality parts.  You will never be
>stuck  waiting for parts unless you choose too.
>
>Cheers,
>
>Frank  Condelli
>Almonte, Ontario, Canada
>'87 Westy, '90 Carat, '87 Wolfsburg  (Forsale) & Lionel Trains
>Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa  Valley
>_Frank Condelli  & Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
>_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
>(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
>_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
>camping event, Almonte, ON, June 08 ~ 11,  2006
>
>
>