TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:02 pm

My Thing came with a full Beetle engine/exhaust, including the pea shooters. I do not like the tail pipes or ground clearance on this exhaust system, so I want to replace it with proper Thing stuff, without spending too much money (the challenge...).

I found the link on this forum to a 74 repro exhaust from CIP1 (http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC-181-251-051-C), and want to know if this will work. The j-tubes already installed on my look to be in good shape, but are they compatible? How is the ground clearance on this system? I want it to tuck up behind the bumper, so it is doesn't get squished by anything.

If there is a better exhaust to do this, please let me know. I am not particularly interested in the Tri-Mill and S&S systems that leave the muffler well below the bumper.

Any help would be appreciated.

[edit] Also, if anyone has a picture of the back end of a '74 Thing with original exhaust, I would like to see it (can't seem to find any good pics with a quick search of the gallery).

Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:25 pm

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...6&rd=1

Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:24 pm

Yes, you will get plenty of clearance with that one, it tucks between the engine and bumper, the one on ebay is aftermarket. the original had a vw emblem.
Mike

Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:28 pm

Not sure about the Ebay one, those tailpipes definitely don't look stock.

That style is definitely what I want though. I might look into it some more.

Also, would the Bug j-tubes fit a 74 exhaust?

Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:27 pm

The one on Ebay is your best bet if you don't want to spend much money which was one of your requirements. The tail pipes on the picture are on the wrong side, they should point up and therefore go through the holes in the bumper. And yes, the j-tubes would fit but you could not use the stock heater on a 74 with them so you would need heat exchangers unless you have a gas heater, don't plan on driving it when it's cold, live where you would never need a heater, or like to bundle up when you are driving.

Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:41 pm

"Too much money" meant more the $400 stock exhuasts, something in the $100-$200 range is ok for a brand new system (cheaper is better obviously).

It is going on a 73, so it will hopefully have a gas heater (haven't checked it out yet, since it is still very warm here).

Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:22 pm

There are alot of threads on here that have pros and cons of different Thing exhausts. Do a search for them and look through them and decide which type you'd like to have. Most all of them other than the stock/aftermarket stock look a likes have some sort of problem like making it harder to adjust valves.

Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:01 pm

thinghunter wrote: There are alot of threads on here that have pros and cons of different Thing exhausts. Do a search for them and look through them and decide which type you'd like to have. Most all of them other than the stock/aftermarket stock look a likes have some sort of problem like making it harder to adjust valves.

I have read through a lot of those (any I could find), but am still kinda lost. It looks like just coughing up the $280+ for a new 73 stock system is the best bet. All of the systems with the muffler behind/under the bumper just aren't what I am looking for.

I was also toying with the idea of welding together a custom 73-style system. Picking a muffler that fits right and doesn't sound like a folgers can would be the only real challenge..

Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:33 pm

Keep in mind that the stock "Thing" muffler assembly is a factory modified Beetle muffler. So, except for the pea shooters the ground clearance is the same.
Now I've seen "monza" mufflers with the tips cut off and relocated through the bumper. The monza muffler sits at an angle and can help with "Departure angle" but the ground clearance to the bottom of the muffler is about the same.
This one is a bit better - http://www.thethingshop.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=181DH - but the large U bends still eat up clearance and divided system takes away bottom end torque.

Fri Sep 12, 2008 6:40 pm

Bumping this up with a slightly different question (instead of making a new thread).

I know some people on here have installed the Kymco Thing header system. I noticed some odd things about this company, and can't find their website. Any recent experiences with them? Their ads seem to be up-to-date, I just want to make sure before looking seriously at ordering from them.

The merged header looks like the best flexibility/performance, and the price isn't bad... A tuck-away muffler isn't too expensive for off-roading, plus, tossing on a stinger to show off at shows would be sweet. :P

Aside from this one, we were also considering the Monza idea. It is cheaper, but I think that cutting out the fiberglass-packed tips would make it a little noisy for general driving.

Sun Sep 14, 2008 6:48 am

yellow73kubel wrote: My Thing came with a full Beetle engine/exhaust, including the pea shooters. I do not like the tail pipes or ground clearance on this exhaust system, so I want to replace it with proper Thing stuff, without spending too much money (the challenge...).

I found the link on this forum to a 74 repro exhaust from CIP1 (http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC-181-251-051-C), and want to know if this will work. The j-tubes already installed on my look to be in good shape, but are they compatible? How is the ground clearance on this system? I want it to tuck up behind the bumper, so it is doesn't get squished by anything.

If there is a better exhaust to do this, please let me know. I am not particularly interested in the Tri-Mill and S&S systems that leave the muffler well below the bumper.

Any help would be appreciated.

[edit] Also, if anyone has a picture of the back end of a '74 Thing with original exhaust, I would like to see it (can't seem to find any good pics with a quick search of the gallery).

A ceramic coated stock exhaust system - found in the gallery searching for the keyword "exhaust" :wink:

As you can see the stock exhaust sits well below the bumper - I have yet to see a Thing exhaust that doesn't.

Here you can see my Tri-Mil exhaust is at the same height as the heater boxes. The bumper on the Thing is positioned at the middle of the engine case so the bottom of your engine is hanging below the bumper as well. Even with the addition of a sump and remote oil filter (about the same height as the outer CVs) I have never had any issues with clearance and have driven in the mud, over curbs, etc.

I think the only way you would have any clearance issues with the exhaust is if you lowered your Thing, and even then it would depend on the road and how the car was driven. Hope this helps.

Sun Sep 14, 2008 6:54 am

yellow73kubel wrote: Aside from this one, we were also considering the Monza idea. It is cheaper, but I think that cutting out the fiberglass-packed tips would make it a little noisy for general driving.

Monza exhausts from the gallery...

I prefer the look of the exhaust through the bumper. I think it makes a cool-looking car look even cooler, but to each his own.

Sun Sep 14, 2008 10:57 am

I like this setup. Where did you get it and how does it hold up in the NorthEast.
Thanks

Here you can see my Tri-Mil exhaust is at the same height as the heater boxes. The bumper on the Thing is positioned at the middle of the engine case so the bottom of your engine is hanging below the bumper as well. Even with the addition of a sump and remote oil filter (about the same height as the outer CVs) I have never had any issues with clearance and have driven in the mud, over curbs, etc.

\

Sun Sep 14, 2008 1:03 pm

Fun 181 wrote: A ceramic coated stock exhaust system - found in the gallery searching for the keyword "exhaust" :wink:

As you can see the stock exhaust sits well below the bumper - I have yet to see a Thing exhaust that doesn't.

I have searched through that gallery with "exhaust" so many times... :D Just never checked the posts to see what exhaust that was in the picture. Back to where I started more or less... For now, I am going to run one of the Kymco header systems and swap it out for an original sometime in the future. Thanks for the pictures and ideas.

Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:38 pm

caseydenise wrote: I like this setup. Where did you get it and how does it hold up in the NorthEast.
Thanks\

You can find the Tri-Mil on eBay, here in the Samba classifieds or from ISP West Auto Parts. The ceramic coating on mine has started to rust through in very small areas, but it's holding up OK overall. I keep it garaged, but the humidity during the summer is pretty brutal.

Thu Sep 25, 2008 5:43 pm

Hey "Fun 181"...I just bought a tri-mil exhaust & was planning to use j-tubes w/ it. Is that a problem? It looks like you used some type of heater boxes with yours. Where did you get them? John

Thu Sep 25, 2008 5:45 pm

Also "Fun 181"...how loud is that exhaust & did it do much for your performance? Thanks...John

Thu Sep 25, 2008 8:53 pm

jbeilmann wrote: Hey "Fun 181"...I just bought a tri-mil exhaust & was planning to use j-tubes w/ it. Is that a problem? It looks like you used some type of heater boxes with yours. Where did you get them? John

Heater boxes are ceramic coated and are the "good kind" i.e. Danish made. I forgot where I got them from. Probably CIP1, but I've seen a few other places that carry them. Using J-tubes should be no problem with the Tri-Mil if you go that route.

jbeilmann wrote: Also "Fun 181"...how loud is that exhaust & did it do much for your performance? Thanks...John

I was going to put a nice sound system in my Thing, but then I figured "what's the point?"

Yeah, the Tri-Mil is a pretty loud set up. Not Harley loud, but close enough to irritate my neighbors when I'm leaving for a show early on a Sunday morning. :D It's a deep loud. It doesn't sound like a typical VW and I kind of like it like that.

I went with the Tri-Mil for the performance. A stock muffler wasn't going to cut it with my set up. Performance has been good overall with that exhaust.

Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:51 am

jbeilmann wrote: Also "Fun 181"...how loud is that exhaust & did it do much for your performance? Thanks...John

It is (or at least appears to be) a glasspack. So think modified truck, with a smaller engine. And, once that fiberglass in there burns up (takes 5-10 years or so), it will start getting louder. Just something to consider.

Oh, by the way, we picked up a Bugpack header and hide-away muffler. Still working on the install, but it looks like it will tuck up "decently" (not exactly what I want, but not bad), so we will see... I'll post a few pictures once it is all installed.

Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:55 pm

Thanks for the replies fellas...I have also seen some mention of problems with j-tubes transfering heat to the heads. Is this a problem if I have the stock tin shielding?