Neil,

it just makes good sense to mount the exhaust to the engine on such a short/compact exhaust set up. Same thing is done on the WBX. There are no long, straight paths in the set up and the engine does move around a fair bit. On a regular front engine car you have the length of the vehicle to take up flex and movement.

I'll be less neutral, I'll say that keeping the exhaust set up mounted to the engine is the best way to go. Mounting muffler to body adds complications that might be ok for some, but I really think mounting to engine is the way to go. Not for noise/vibe transmission but for reduce strain on the pipes and joints.

alistair

On 2012-12-20, at 4:33 PM, neil n wrote:

> Hi all.
> 
> Did VW mount the diesel exhaust to the engine *mainly* to reduce
> transmitting engine noise to the vehicle body?
> 
> i.e. why didn't they use a flex joint and hang the exhaust from the
> body with rubber isolators?
> 
> (this Foreign Auto Supply kit should show what I mean):
> 
> http://www.foreignautosupply.com/parts-accessories/7-exhaust-down-pipe-hanger-kit-2lr-tiico-vanagon-engine-conversion/#.UNOq0I6thoA
> 
> Or was this done mainly to prevent the exhaust from cracking?
> 
> Comparing a gas to diesel is "apples to oranges" but understanding why
> VW designed the diesel exhaust the way they did, will help me decide
> which approach use for the new exhaust on my I4 swap.
> 
> I'm sorry if this ends up being a cross post but felt it ok to ask the DV list.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Neil.
> 
> 
> --
> Neil n
> 
> 65 kb image Myford Ready For Assembly  http://tinyurl.com/64sx4rp
> 
> '88 Slate Blue Westy to be named.
> 
> '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"  http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
> 
> Vanagon VAG Gas I4/VR Swap Google Group:
> 
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines