I must say this,and not to degrade anyone's particular product, but after a 

lengthy thread at the samba.com regarding a very unusual situation where a 

gentleman had a very hard time with the warrantee of the stebro muffler, 

with no response for quite some time, from Frank or the manufacture.

Personally, after taking a look at the rectangular unit available from 

Canada, and after looking at the price to my door which would exceed 

$500.00, I decided to go with the other stainless muffler available, which 

was way under $400.00  delivered in less than 4 days, came polished, has 1/4 

inch stock type mounting flanges, and fits as well as the stock muffler once 

did, and using all of the genuine VW mounting hardware.

I don't really cae for the welded on substitute mounting tab which from what 

I understand has a occasional preponderence of snapping off.

The stainless muffler's I have now fitted to both of my Vanagons are a piece 

of artwork, and are well worth every penny I spent on them.

The big plus was the offering of either a stock baffled muffler as well as a 

turbo muffler.

I have one of each, and am very pleased at how nice they really are.

I like parts that fit well, and just as the stock equipment should fit.

For this I tip my hat to Terry , who has done a magnificent job of 

recreating the Vanagon mufler in 304 stainless that fits like a glove.

My advise to anyone looking for a long lasting, good looking muffler take a 

good look at what he has to offer.

A+++ craftsmanship.

Ron

----- Original Message ----- 

From: "Frank Condelli" <RAlanen@AOL.COM<mailto:RAlanen@AOL.COM>>

To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>>

Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 5:24 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<mailto: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<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<http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm>) )

> _Frank Condelli &  Associates_ 

> (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html<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<http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm>)

> _BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm<http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm>)  a VW Camper

> camping event, Almonte, ON, June 07 ~ 10,  2007

>