> Date:    Thu, 19 Feb 2009 21:27:19 -0500
> From:    Bill Nagle <wnagle@NC.RR.COM>
> Subject: Broken Catalytic converter
>
> Less than 2000 Miles ago I got a new tiico engine, new catalytic
> converter and muffler, etc....the CC has cracked apart just before the
> muffler attachment. Do I just replace it or is there a simple fix I
> could do?
>
> Is this a characteristic of tiicos?
> Thanks
> Bill Nagle
> '85 Westy
> wnagle@nc.rr.co
Yes, it definitely *is* a Tiico "feature".  I suggest you join the Yahoo
Tiico group, it's a great resource.  You'll find over a hundred posts
about broken exhausts - downpipes, cats, mufflers.  The Tiico exhaust is
not tuned correctly, and the brackets supplied with the kit are junk and
cause way too much vibration in most cases.  This is *not* an issue with
"home-brew" conversions because they use VW brackets.  Short term, you
can just have a muffler shop re-weld the cat, and add additional
gussetting if the one you have doesn't have several on each end.  The
only solution some of us have found is a conversion to the VW A3
serpentine setup (Golf/Jetta compressor, alternator, PS pump, and
brackets).  My suggestion is to also add a gusset or two to the muffler
(cat end) if you have an non-gussetted 1.9L muffler.

But really - check out the Yahoo group!

Keith Hughes
'86 Westy Tiico (Marvin)