

| Subject: | Re: Need a New Exhaust System, S&S Any Good? |
| From: | Frank Condelli |
| Date: | Tue, 24 Apr 2007 06:24:27 EDT |
In a message dated 23/04/2007 11:08:16 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes: So my 88 Wolfsburg Auto needs a new exhaust system, I really do not have the cash for a Ceramic coated unit or stainless steel unit. I was thinking of getting the S&S unit the Ken sells at Vanagain. Anyone purchase this? I would love to hear your feedback. Did it actually provide any horsepower boost? How long before it starts to rust? I am in NY State so I know it will rust eventually, is there anything that it can be coated with to slow the process? Any special installation issue to be aware of? Thanks for all your feedback. Robert, may I suggest you consider using my Stainless Steel Exhaust system - _STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust System_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm) . This will insure it's the last time you have to have your system replaced. The labour to change an exhaust system on a Vanagon can vary wildly due to the problem of getting the eight connections at the four head flanges off. If the come loose easily then things are fine. But if any of the connectors break because they are seized and badly rusted then your in for some labour charges to fix the problem. It's always best to remove all the connectors so that the exhaust ports can be cleaned and made flat so the new gasket will seal well. Then, use all new stainless steel bolts, coated with anti-seize to install the new headers to the heads. The other problematic area is the muffler brackets. If your brackets are fine then replacing with a stock muffler is easy. If your brackets are rusted away then you will need to remove them and the bolts tend to seize in the engine/muffler carrier and can be a lengthy job to remove. Those brackets are expensive dealer items only hence one of the reasons to consider my STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Muffler, as it comes with it's own integral brackets plus the tail pipe. You will see on my website an Installation guide for my stainless steel system. This guide can be useful to anyone installing any system including OEM ones. Hope this helps ! Cheers, Frank Condelli Almonte, Ontario, Canada '87 Westy, '90 Carat, '87 Wolfsburg (Forsale) & Lionel Trains (_Collection for sale_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm) ) _Frank Condelli & Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html) - Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley _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 07 ~ 10, 2007
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