I went that route and was glad to have the adapter when came assembly's
time. I would not crush the heat tubes 'cause cold weather I want that heat
in front cab. And during hot weather my engine needs all the cooling helps
it can gets. My engine was missing the EGR setup but given the opportunity
I would suggest buying the muffler that comes with the EGR connection and
keeping (a well maintain) EGR ( for lower engine temp.).

Dealing with German Supply for those adapters was ... well ... Lets say it
took forever to arrived (but I was in no rush and I must admit that I had
others goods experiences with GS - YMMV).  They look not very high carbon
steel (rust quickly) and to me it looks not that difficult to outsource
yourself  (with muffler in hands, the dimensions become obvious - thickness
is IIRC 1 3/8").

other options ( also adding SS adapters, why not)

IF I had money <http://shop.vintagespeed.com.tw/s.nl/it.A/id.662/.f>

On Tue, Oct 10, 2017 at 1:25 PM, Vince Speelman <v@vinspee.me> wrote:

> Hi all.
>
> I have an 81 van that came with the original muffler. The header-side of
> that muffler is pitted and warped beyond help, leading to a perpetual leak.
> I have been running an EMPI P.O.S special (nicely coated in rust from
> Detroit’s mean streets), but saw that Bus Depot sells an Ernst bus muffler
> that “just fits” AC Vanagons (http://www.busdepot.com/071251053ek). I
> order it and to my behest it doesn’t clear the hot air tubes between the
> engine and it.
>
> a couple of questions:
>
> 1. does anyone aside from german supply sell this adapter?
> https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT_i_
> kosFL1lNyU7bGs6PKCBJWNORzGRzDGCBxEiS_laOrylW9bJQ
>
> 2. can i just break out the vice and smoosh the tubes a bit without worry?
>
> 3. is there another option? MI doesn’t do any emissions testing, so no
> issues there.
>
> Thanks!
>
>
> — Vince
>