Save your money on the S&S being in NY.
I had one last less than two years from brand new.
It rusted and cracked and is not what I consider to be an upgrade from stock.
I used it with an K&N fitercharger and saw maybe 5% increase in power, minimal at best.

I now have Stebro installed and would consider Terry K's stainless stock muffler And Frank's stainless header pipes and Stebro mufflers over S&S anyday. Both mufflers have warranties as well.

dylan

----- Original Message ----
From: Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 6:24:27 AM
Subject: Re: Need a New Exhaust System, S&S Any Good?

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