Well,sorry to alarm you fine folks with my weird Vanagon issues. Today,I
started the vanagon, and the problems I spoke of were gone. I believe what
happened ,was this.A mouse or other small animal had made  nest in my
muffler. When I swapped this exhaust. there was a blockage till the nest
got burnt up.I didnt hurt any small rodents. The animal in question had
plunty of time to get out,while I was transfering the exhaust. Dont think
he was stupid enough to comeback for luggage,after I had installed the
exhaust,so relax.

When I did install the exhaust and started the van,I got lots of smoke from
manyu orifices.Ithought it was like some wd-40 being burnt off,but more so.
Must have been grass or twigs.A blockage may cause additional pressures to
cause exhaust leakage at places not normally leaking.It had smmptoms like a
blocked catalytic converter.Noise in the throttle.Lack of acceleration.Then
the great heat that spread to the bumper. Too hot to touch.

Well,I fried that nest up real good.Today,I get no backfiring.Better
drivability,but it will still not give  a hint of an idle when cold.Ok when
hot.Not great when hot.

By the way ,I am adding mouse steaks to my ebay store. Come on in and try
them.Rodent.I mean Roger