The Ernst is the best muffler that I have had on my van. I had Bosals on
their before but they didn't last very long. I paid more for the much
heavier Ernst, and it was worth it. Much quieter, and still whole! We have
them on both vans and the Golf now too.

On 4/11/06, rpc <populuxe59@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> Hello,
>   I am about to change the muffler support brackets and hold down bands.
> They are rusted and nearly gone. (1990 MV with 176,000) The muffler is
> original and seems go have gotten louder over the past year. Not deafening
> but louder than it should be. I thought it would be straight forward to
> change it out.  I hate the loud sound. I can hear my wife driving through
> the neighborhood 2-3 blks away. When the speedometer is reading between
> 60-70 mph it's sometimes too loud to hold a conversation.
>    I assume it's the muffler-- burnt out, but I had the Vanagon in the
> muffler shop today and the vanagon-friendly mechanic asked me how I knew it
> was the muffler and said he'd run 'er for a while yet. He did the glove over
> tailpipe test and said "no leaks" but he has never rode on the highway in
> it. He also said a new muffler may be louder that the original muffler.
>   When I am on the highway and shut off the engine the thunderous sound
> goes away. I have no problems with performance.
>   Thought I would post the question in case I was missing something
> here--now that the muffler guy has me second guessing myself now...am I just
> getting old and square?
>
>   Does anyone have an opinion on the quietest muffler??  The muffler guy
> said I was welcome to supply the parts and he'd charge me labor.
>   Thanks,
>   Chris C 90mv
>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
www.crescentbeachguitar.com