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Thu Oct 01, 2009 11:13 am

I now have a 69 Bus with a 2110cc (type 1) engine and A1 Sidewinder exhaust. I would like to remove the A1 exhaust and install:
Heater Boxes + the dual quiet packs - What header and other parts would I need for this - or can I still use the A1 Sidewinder headers with the dual quiet packs?

Thanks :D

Paul

Thu Oct 01, 2009 12:29 pm

Why in the world would you want to trade off your $1000 exhaust system for a cheap Chinese model?

I have an A1 Sidewinder on order right now for a 2007cc type 1 engine. Is there something I need to know?

Thu Oct 01, 2009 12:50 pm

aeromech wrote: Why in the world would you want to trade off your $1000 exhaust system for a cheap Chinese model?

I have an A1 Sidewinder on order right now for a 2007cc type 1 engine. Is there something I need to know?

Basically at highway speeds its so loud that you can barely talk to anyone in the bus - so looking for a quieter muffler - and all I could find was the Dual Packs - but that requires a new header I think - Plus I also wanted to add the heater boxes (Currently none are installed)

Paul

Thu Oct 01, 2009 12:51 pm

paullord wrote: aeromech wrote: Why in the world would you want to trade off your $1000 exhaust system for a cheap Chinese model?

I have an A1 Sidewinder on order right now for a 2007cc type 1 engine. Is there something I need to know?

Basically at highway speeds its so loud that you can barely talk to anyone in the bus - so looking for a quieter muffler - and all I could find was the Dual Packs - but that requires a new header I think - Plus I also wanted to add the heater boxes (Currently none are installed)

Paul

Awe, man.
Just add some sound deadener.
A1 is the bad ass!

Thu Oct 01, 2009 1:05 pm

Well, the A1 I ordered is coming with heater boxes. I understand that the loud noise is caused by the direction of the muffler outlet pipe being pointed too much towards the ground. This loud effect is amplified if you have a lowered bus (do you?). I spoke to Tiger at A1 about this issue when I ordered and he said that he was going to turn my pipe facing more aft and overboard than down at the ground. The bus I'm working on is stock height too.

I've worked on some buses that have the dual quiet packs and have found that they get snagged on the ground way too much which makes them loose. To me it's just a bunch of stuff to get in the way. I'd go with the single if it were me.

Do you have any pics of your A1 installation you can add to this thread?

Thu Oct 01, 2009 1:12 pm

I loved my A1 sidewinder.... :D ...... i just added FatMat to the rear and the noise was much better.......... I believe you can't get a better system now days....... I just sold mine on a 2276cc Now i'm sad..... :cry:

Thu Oct 01, 2009 1:20 pm

aeromech wrote: I understand that the loud noise is caused by the direction of the muffler outlet pipe being pointed too much towards the ground.

Wow! I don't have an A1 but my tailpipe is pointed at a 45 degree angle towards the ground and my bus is pretty loud too but I thought it was just because of the type of muffler I have. I wonder if I had the muffler shop angle it up if that would help. Learn something new all of the time.

Thu Oct 01, 2009 1:23 pm

BellePlaine wrote: aeromech wrote: I understand that the loud noise is caused by the direction of the muffler outlet pipe being pointed too much towards the ground.

Wow! I don't have an A1 but my tailpipe is pointed at a 45 degree angle towards the ground and my bus is pretty loud too but I thought it was just because of the type of muffler I have. I wonder if I had the muffler shop angle it up if that would help. Learn something new all of the time.

You should call Tiger at 714-836-7201. He's the A1 muffler guy and he really knows his stuff. I was very surprised at his VW knowledge.

Thu Oct 01, 2009 3:01 pm

aeromech wrote: Well, the A1 I ordered is coming with heater boxes. I understand that the loud noise is caused by the direction of the muffler outlet pipe being pointed too much towards the ground. This loud effect is amplified if you have a lowered bus (do you?). I spoke to Tiger at A1 about this issue when I ordered and he said that he was going to turn my pipe facing more aft and overboard than down at the ground. The bus I'm working on is stock height too.

I've worked on some buses that have the dual quiet packs and have found that they get snagged on the ground way too much which makes them loose. To me it's just a bunch of stuff to get in the way. I'd go with the single if it were me.

Do you have any pics of your A1 installation you can add to this thread?

Well yes it is lowered and its pointing 45% to the ground.
I may try to raise it up a little - which sounds like that would help with sound - and would like to add heater boxes also.

Anyone know where to purchase the heater boxes and all parts needed.

Thanks!
Paul

Thu Oct 01, 2009 3:09 pm

paullord wrote: aeromech wrote: Well, the A1 I ordered is coming with heater boxes. I understand that the loud noise is caused by the direction of the muffler outlet pipe being pointed too much towards the ground. This loud effect is amplified if you have a lowered bus (do you?). I spoke to Tiger at A1 about this issue when I ordered and he said that he was going to turn my pipe facing more aft and overboard than down at the ground. The bus I'm working on is stock height too.

I've worked on some buses that have the dual quiet packs and have found that they get snagged on the ground way too much which makes them loose. To me it's just a bunch of stuff to get in the way. I'd go with the single if it were me.

Do you have any pics of your A1 installation you can add to this thread?

Well yes it is lowered and its pointing 45% to the ground.
I may try to raise it up a little - which sounds like that would help with sound - and would like to add heater boxes also.

Anyone know where to purchase the heater boxes and all parts needed.

Thanks!
Paul

Call Tiger for all the parts. He's the manufacturer, why go through a middle man? He told me today that the heater boxes he sells which are flanged to fit the sidewinder are a full 1 1/2" diameter. Stock heater boxes which can be modified by welding on the flanges are less than 1 3/8.

Thu Oct 01, 2009 6:48 pm

aeromech wrote: I understand that the loud noise is caused by the direction of the muffler outlet pipe being pointed too much towards the ground. Obviously that's not why my Thunderbirds are real loud. Almost as loud as no mufflers. Only time I listen to the radio is when it's parked.

aeromech wrote: I've worked on some buses that have the dual quiet packs and have found that they get snagged on the ground way too much which makes them loose. To me it's just a bunch of stuff to get in the way. I'd go with the single if it were me.
Only difference between the duals and the singles is there are two of them, one on each side. The single is going to snag on anything just as much as the right side of the dual. Bottom line is single or dual it's the same situation. One is half as much. If it would help to put on a "tripple" to help protect the sump, I'd do it.

Sidewinders are great. Good performance. Good clearance. But they really mess up access to the engine right side. That's OK for those that ignore valve adjustments. There are no valves to adjust on the rear of the engine for quiet packs to interfere with :wink: .

Thu Oct 01, 2009 10:46 pm

Is there a link to Tiger's site if such exists? I've heard impressive comments/reviews concerning the A1 systems.

We, the type 2/4 crowd are always looking for a suitable header/exhaust combo. Few choices out there. Last week I ordered the Tangerine system from Chris, only to find out it would not fit on the 75-78 buses with stock heat exchangers. Talk about being bummed out. Of course Jake has a nice looking set, but his too require the conversion to earlier style heat exchangers. Other than stock, we're pretty limitted and the AI system looks pretty nice.

Fri Oct 02, 2009 7:24 am

I have been unable to find a web site for A1 Muffler in Santa Ana (where Tiger works). Here is a link to a reseller of the systems on Thesamba classifieds: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=329726

A1 sells their stuff through a few VW parts houses where you are dealing second hand with people that mostly just know how to take an order over the phone. I found dealing directly with Tiger to be very effective and the price was good as well. Don't get confused with another muffler shop in Texas with a similar name.

Fri Oct 02, 2009 4:55 pm

Also if you can get the tail pipe past the bumper it will help with some of the sound. I would hardly call it noise though. Then just turn up the tunes. Talking is over rated.

Fri Nov 13, 2009 9:31 pm

Just FYI -
I'm keeping the A1 - Thanks everyone for the input.
I ordered the Heater exchanges from Tiger - Good guy!
They are 1 1/2 size without the heat sink inside -but better then nothing.
(I guess they don't make the heat sink with that size)

Now I plan to rebuild the heater tubes and get a little defroster heat!
http://www.jonathanstiles.com/HeaterTubeRefurbish.htm

Thanks again!

Paul

Fri Nov 20, 2009 3:24 pm

I just ordered an complete exhaust from Tiger at A-1. The guy is good to go with his exhaust stuff. Aeromech's pics sold me andmost items made in America or Germany or Switzerland is always a plus for the vw. vwdon

Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:08 pm

I e-mailed about some custom work and he can make a 1 3/8 header to use with the old heater box or with out.

Don when is it arriving?

Sun Nov 22, 2009 10:55 am

I am going to pick it up next month when I go to Anaheim. I look forward to this nice design. vwdon

Sun Nov 22, 2009 11:32 am