Probably the quietest with good flow is the real original equipment ones.
The aftermarket ones available are really hit and miss. Even ones that are
fairly quiet at install seem to loose internal baffles and get noisy or
start making rattling sounds. When VW made me aware some years ago that they
were discontinuing them I got a few. I only have 2 left that are not spoken
for. When they were available and almost affordable it was unfortunate that
few would by them. Fewer knew that OEM replacement mufflers had lifetime
warranties .

Straight through mufflers do have one major advantage. They won't clog when
the catalyst fails. Currently I have the GoWesty muffler on fun bus. It is
stainless, a real heavy duty design, and while straight through it is not
excessively noisy. That combined with their CARB approved cat seems to make
for a noticeable HP increase. I have sold a few with no unhappy campers yet.
Their muffler, bracket, and tail pipe is not outrages in price. In fact,
their complete stainless exhaust is worth considering.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
email99@bellsouth.net
Sent: Saturday, March 8, 2014 7:58 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Which Vanagon muffler brands are not straight-through design?

It's time for a new muffler on my '86 Westy and I'm looking for a quiet
muffler.   I know this sounds somewhat heretical but after a long day
driving with a "straight through, performance Vanagon muffler" a few years
ago I found I was much more pleased with the offset, non-straight through
original design.  Can anyone tell me which brands have the quieter, offset
design?

Ed