To install Glasspack or not to

[scott.carrick]

One of my friends who happens to be v mechanic for 20 years told me that glass packs are bad for the engine of a vw. He mentioned how the exhaust tends to release back pressure therefore harming the engine. I was just wondering what you guys thought on the topic. Is it truly harmful to run an EMPI glasspack exhaust on my 1973 vw super?

Thanks.

[rooney77]

You'll be fine. There's a ton of misconceptions, myths and rumors about exhaust/glasspacks/backpressure.
_________________
1968 Sedan type 1.

[type1guy]

I've had mine on for over a year, sounds good, I like the fat tips, and it runs great-no problems.

Mike
_________________
1972 SB Marina Blue, "Mr. Beetle" (sold)
1972 Standard Baja, "Jack the Dripper"

[VWCOOL]

Your mechanic mate is wrong... the VW motor is not that finicky!

However, an EMPI glass-pack muffler is, in my experience, the cheapest nastiest-quality crap and I doubt it will last more than one year before internally rusting (glass-pack mufflers tend to absorb moisture which promotes rust) then falling off.

[Brian]

[jhicken]

X3, glass packs are loud and nasty. Stick with a header and single QP muffler.

-jeffrey
_________________
Der Kleiner Kampfwagens

[smitty24]

Yes, use a USA built Bugpack quiet system, or tuckaway. Best setup you can install for the money on smaller engines. I ran glass packs for years when I was younger. They sound cool but do nothing for performance. Most systems are made by Empi and ARE junk. They fit poorly and don't work well. Most have little to no baffling whatsoever. This is factual, Ive cut many open and installed my own baffling. On an aircooled vw, you NEED proper back pressure and proper flow for your engine. It is a balance. Most glass packs are just a redesigned stinger.

[Frank Bassman]

Well, there are obviously mixed feelings about the glasspacks.

I personally like the way they sound. They're also decently durable. The sound they give is loud but not as loud as the stinger. There are issues with back pressure only if you choose the wrong diameter pipes...

I put a 1 5/8 header and glasspack combo with the large flange by empi and had a stumble off idle due to insufficient back pressure. I switched to a 1 3/8 header and combo by empi and voila, better MPG's, and no more stumble. I saw an increase in pulling at lower RPMs when I did this. Don't know how much of an improvement this gave me over a stock exhaust system, but it certainly was a noticeable difference from when I had a too large system.

The manufacturers recommend that they be covered with a high quality, high temperature header paint before installation. Don't do it, and you'll have a nasty looking exhaust. Do it, and you'll have a nice looking glasspack.


Glasspack, stinger, quietpack, Tri Mill, GT... exhausts won't harm your engine. Badly adjusted valves, low oil level, lean or rich carb adjustments, exhaust leaks, an excessively heavy right foot.... things like those will harm your engine.

I put about 250 to 300 miles on my otherwise stock '70 eetle every week. My grandfather drove his car cross country frequently in the 70's 80's and 90's in Venezuela in his '68 swingaxle single port 1500 bug with a glasspack. I'd say glasspacks do the job just fine for daily drivers.