TheSamba.com :: View topic - Where to order air-cooled exhaust system?

Wed Feb 04, 2015 3:30 pm

Hi all!

My exhaust system is pretty much completely rusted out and cracked, even. I have an '82 air-cooled 2.0 liter engine. The only site I saw that had something comparable was this, but it's on backorder.

http://www.rockymountainwesty.com/80_83_SS_Air_Cooled_Exhaust_System_p/rmw-1acx.htm

Where can I find an exhaust system (preferably stainless steel) and maybe even some new heater boxes (left and right)? I feel like I've exhausted (lol) all my options at this point.

Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:29 pm

You might try:

http://www.averysaircooled.com/
or
https://interstateusedparts.com

Be aware that there is a big difference between the 1980 and 81-83 exhaust parts as well as additional differences between the CA and 49-state versions.

--
Brian

Wed Feb 04, 2015 7:43 pm

Bus Depot is a good source for aircooled parts. Check California Import Parts(CIP1 I think is what they go by), as well. The Samba classifieds is a good source too.

Wed Feb 04, 2015 8:07 pm

The j-pipe will be the most challenging to find, the other pieces are still available if you decide to stay stock. (The federal version j-pipe is nearly extinct, but the California version can still be found used).

Bus Depot and other vendors also offer other solutions (extractor types) should you decide to leave the stock set up. Tangerine Racing Products used to offer a SS exhaust for type 4 buses, although that is no longer shown on their website. If it were me, I'd wait for the back-order to end and order the RMW model.

Good Luck,
Matt

Wed Feb 04, 2015 9:12 pm

California Import Products Ltd. Cip1.com

Wed Feb 04, 2015 9:34 pm

I've used one of these for over 10,000 miles. It looked rusty as soon as the paint burnt off (about 100 miles), and has not changed since. Can't beat the price.

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC%2DD%2D2072

It is an EMPI, so you should be able to find it at many sources, maybe even locally.

Thu Feb 05, 2015 2:46 am

GreenMachineVW wrote: I've used one of these for over 10,000 miles. It looked rusty as soon as the paint burnt off (about 100 miles), and has not changed since. Can't beat the price.

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC%2DD%2D2072

It is an EMPI, so you should be able to find it at many sources, maybe even locally.

I used that one when I had my air cooled. it has a descent exhaust note to it as I recall but yes the paint turns to rust in about a week of driving. it might not be a bad idea to use that one and get it sand blasted and powder coated before using it. that what I would do if I still had that van.

Thu Feb 05, 2015 6:00 am

NavyVW wrote: GreenMachineVW wrote: I've used one of these for over 10,000 miles. It looked rusty as soon as the paint burnt off (about 100 miles), and has not changed since. Can't beat the price.

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC%2DD%2D2072

It is an EMPI, so you should be able to find it at many sources, maybe even locally.

I used that one when I had my air cooled. it has a descent exhaust note to it as I recall but yes the paint turns to rust in about a week of driving. it might not be a bad idea to use that one and get it sand blasted and powder coated before using it. that what I would do if I still had that van.

IMO, those exhausts have decent ground clearance, pretty good looks (symmetry), and are inexpensive. However, the 1-2 side is not merged with the 3-4 side, making it no different than a dune buggy "dual cannon" exhaust. This hurts performance and makes it sound awful. I would invest in one of these:
http://shop.vintagespeed.com.tw/s.nl/sc.12/category.3234/.f
Just my two cents.

Tue Feb 10, 2015 9:05 am

Update!

Called RMW and they were super helpful. Apparently they manufacture them somewhat regularly and when I called, they had just finished three. I was able to order one today. I am, however, still struggling to have luck finding left and right heat exchangers. I was about to order some and my mechanic told me that some use a copper gasket and some use a metal gasket.

I've uploaded some pictures of the assumed gaskets. Can anyone tell me the difference and maybe a good place to find one for less than $500 a PIECE? Thanks so much for all the suggestions and help. I'll post feedback on the new exhaust when I get it going.

Tue Feb 10, 2015 10:35 am

Don't want to muddy the waters, but are the heat exchangers a must have portion of the exhaust? My aircooled has the exchangers and the proper exhaust and it produces lukewarm (at best) heat in the dash. Perhaps if they are not needed (to keep the motor cool) then perhaps you could save yourself some time/money/frustration by simply removing them???

Tue Feb 10, 2015 10:50 am

Quote: I was about to order some and my mechanic told me that some use a copper gasket and some use a metal gasket.

Your mechanic may have been referring to the exhaust port gaskets where the heater boxes connect to the heads. Early 2.0 bus heads had oval exhaust ports and used a copper crush seal to seal the heater boxes to the head. Starting with the late busses and the aircooled vanagons, VW changed to a square exhaust port design that utilized more of a conventional type exhaust gasket. You can't fit oval port heat exchangers on a square port head or vice versa without some clever adaption.

Tue Feb 10, 2015 11:41 am

VWinVT wrote: Don't want to muddy the waters, but are the heat exchangers a must have portion of the exhaust? My aircooled has the exchangers and the proper exhaust and it produces lukewarm (at best) heat in the dash. Perhaps if they are not needed (to keep the motor cool) then perhaps you could save yourself some time/money/frustration by simply removing them???

Hmm..is that really a good idea? Is it necessary?

And that makes more sense, rsxsr. I'll take a closer look and see what I can find.

Tue Feb 10, 2015 1:16 pm

Broham wrote: VWinVT wrote: Don't want to muddy the waters, but are the heat exchangers a must have portion of the exhaust? My aircooled has the exchangers and the proper exhaust and it produces lukewarm (at best) heat in the dash. Perhaps if they are not needed (to keep the motor cool) then perhaps you could save yourself some time/money/frustration by simply removing them???

Hmm..is that really a good idea? Is it necessary?

The heat exchangers do actually provide heat if everything else along the way is working properly. The amount it pumps out is dependent on the blower fan on the alternator (and therefore completely relative to engine speed) so it's not perfect but it's something.

I thought they were useless for years until I replaced and/or repaired the flapper boxes and cabling. Now I vote for keeping them.

Mon Jun 29, 2020 7:41 am

Van Cafe has the best setup for $600 you get the whole system, they give you easy to understand instructions and NO WELDING required, which for someone like me who doesn't know how to weld, is pretty huge. It's also stainless Steel so no more rust. It's quiet and makes the van look that much cooler.

Vanagon 80-83 Aricooled Exhaust:
https://www.vancafe.com/RMW-2985101-p/rmw-2985101.htm

Mon Jun 29, 2020 8:00 am

GTV wrote:
I would invest in one of these:
http://shop.vintagespeed.com.tw/s.nl/sc.12/category.3234/.f
Just my two cents.
Ditto
I love mine. Great quality, looks awesome and sounds fantastic.

Mon Jun 29, 2020 8:26 am

DO NOT get rid of the heat exchangers, they are not just for heat in a Vanagon.
They are helping cool the engine.
this is the cheap exhaust. The gaskets that come with it are junk, the round one is easy to get,it's just a header gasket. I made the ones for the heat exchangers out of heavy duty exhaust gasket material. a little more work to make the gaskets but not $500.00 bucks worth.
https://www.busdepot.com/vw7802026