Author |
Message |
Ray Syverson Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2006 Posts: 74 Location: Lake Zurich, Illinois
|
Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 7:49 am Post subject: Exhaust System for 1973 Things- Suggestions, Opinions Wanted |
|
|
I have a 1973 Thing. I would like to replace the exhaust I have now, which was made for a bug, with one that exits thru the bumpers. I like the type that have two separate mufflers that mount up out of sight. I see that The Thing Shop has a stainless steel type they have developed, and that also there are ones made in Denmark, in primer, that are available through Thing Parts. Of course the stainless is more money. Not sure what else is available, but I am not especially keen on the single mufflers that are visible below the bumper. Does anyone have any opinions or suggestions regarding the two types with separate mufflers? Looked at the stickies but didn't find much that helped. Thanks. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
EDragnDean Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2005 Posts: 1148 Location: Vancouver, WA
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
wbailey2112 Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2015 Posts: 483 Location: Grove City, OH
|
Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 5:25 am Post subject: Re: Exhaust System for 1973 Things- Suggestions, Opinions Wanted |
|
|
I purchased my Thing with the EMPI Tri Mil style exhaust installed by the previous owner. It's the silver ceramic version and the coating shows no signs of wear. It looks good, exits through the exhaust and seems to do the job but it is not very quiet. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Ray Syverson Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2006 Posts: 74 Location: Lake Zurich, Illinois
|
Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 6:17 am Post subject: Re: Exhaust System for 1973 Things- Suggestions, Opinions Wanted |
|
|
Heat shield sleds? What are those? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ALANSD Samba Member
Joined: April 16, 2015 Posts: 341 Location: Woodstock, GA
|
Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 2:19 pm Post subject: Re: Exhaust System for 1973 Things- Suggestions, Opinions Wanted |
|
|
yes what are they? I was just thinking that... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Ray Syverson Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2006 Posts: 74 Location: Lake Zurich, Illinois
|
Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 3:03 pm Post subject: Re: Exhaust System for 1973 Things- Suggestions, Opinions Wanted |
|
|
I'm thinking they are probably those tins that cover the bottoms of the cylinders. They are kind of sled shaped. And I assume the 73 separate mufflers mount where the 74 heat exchangers would go. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ente_kaefer Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2013 Posts: 242 Location: St Louis, MO
|
Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 7:13 pm Post subject: Re: Exhaust System for 1973 Things- Suggestions, Opinions Wanted |
|
|
Ray Syverson wrote: |
I'm thinking they are probably those tins that cover the bottoms of the cylinders. They are kind of sled shaped. And I assume the 73 separate mufflers mount where the 74 heat exchangers would go. |
Correct, I purchased a set of the heat shields from Awesome Powdercoat, I presently have a Tri Mil header using the J pipes . . .http://www.awesomepowdercoat.com/Industrial_Shields.html
The shields will ensure correct air flow if using J pipes, as well as the stock type exhaust for the 1973 VW Thing. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
EDragnDean Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2005 Posts: 1148 Location: Vancouver, WA
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
EDragnDean Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2005 Posts: 1148 Location: Vancouver, WA
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Windisch Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2014 Posts: 362 Location: Sacramento, CA 95822
|
Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2017 6:22 pm Post subject: Re: Exhaust System for 1973 Things- Suggestions, Opinions Wanted |
|
|
VW stock exhausts tend to rust rather quickly, so if you wish a VERY well-designed, nicely engineered & constructed and permanent 'exhaust system option', consider the stainless steel exhausts offered by CARRERA SPEED in Taiwan. They offer a beautifully executed and ideal system for the VW Thing (and a perfect fit for the '73 Type 181). Their exhaust system comes in two types:1) a performance version designed for modified (upgraded) engines and 2) a standard version for stock engines. Each of these two is available with or without heat-riser tube fittings, so be sure to specify whether or not you want heat-riser tube compatibility. The quality of these units is excellent and you'll never need another 'Thing' exhaust for your Type 181. The cost is reasonable, considering the quality and engineering expertise incorporated. This is the same exhaust system offered by EISparts.com and prices are roughly congruent, although I found it actually cheaper to order the system directly from Carrera in Taiwan, since their price plus $100 shipping is actually cheaper than the EIS offering (although the same system). Don't forget to order the stainless steel 'J-tubes' while you're at it, since they are not included in the basic system. The Carrera site may be found at: http://shop.vintagespeed.com.tw/s.nl/sc.12/category.4302/.f
My '73 Thing is quite happy with the Carrera SS system and there's even a slight increase in dyno power output with a stock engine! _________________ 1973 Standard Beetle, 1974 VW/Porsche 914-4, 1.8 liter
----------------------
Der Volkswagen ist ein Ausdruck der deutschen Kultur der Allrad Art ...
[The only irrefutable evidence we have that intelligent life truly exists elsewhere in the Universe is the fact that so far it has NOT contacted humanity...] |
|
Back to top |
|
|
911pickup Samba Member
Joined: March 06, 2004 Posts: 625 Location: Near Goats on the Roof
|
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 5:49 pm Post subject: Re: Exhaust System for 1973 Things- Suggestions, Opinions Wanted |
|
|
Just doing a quick comparison of the exhaust system sold by The Thing Shop and the system sold by Vintage Speed.
The Thing Shop's system looks very nice, but I see two downsides:
1. A split exhaust system loses some hp over a merged header system.
2. the mufflers have to be lowered/removed to to a valve adjustment.
The Vintage Speed system is nice because it doesn't block the valve covers. I'm not sure it offers the same hp benefits that a merged header would, but I imagine the difference isn't great.
I plan on upgrading my stock Beetle exhaust system that is on my newly acquired Thing and when I do I'll go with the Vintage Speed system. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Windisch Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2014 Posts: 362 Location: Sacramento, CA 95822
|
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 6:14 pm Post subject: Re: Exhaust System for 1973 Things- Suggestions, Opinions Wanted |
|
|
Interesting that you noted these comparative considerations. I also did a similar evaluation and came to the same conclusions. It's a fairly considerable irritation having to lower the exhaust muffler units in order to get enough clearance to do a valve adjust without extraordinary difficulty, and given the importance of that particular (valve adjust) maintenance procedure for air suckers, I too opted for the Vintage Speed system. _________________ 1973 Standard Beetle, 1974 VW/Porsche 914-4, 1.8 liter
----------------------
Der Volkswagen ist ein Ausdruck der deutschen Kultur der Allrad Art ...
[The only irrefutable evidence we have that intelligent life truly exists elsewhere in the Universe is the fact that so far it has NOT contacted humanity...] |
|
Back to top |
|
|
911pickup Samba Member
Joined: March 06, 2004 Posts: 625 Location: Near Goats on the Roof
|
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2017 9:02 am Post subject: Re: Exhaust System for 1973 Things- Suggestions, Opinions Wanted |
|
|
Did you take off the rear bumper to install yours? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Windisch Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2014 Posts: 362 Location: Sacramento, CA 95822
|
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2017 10:02 am Post subject: Re: Exhaust System for 1973 Things- Suggestions, Opinions Wanted |
|
|
911pickup wrote: |
Did you take off the rear bumper to install yours? |
Actually, I haven't installed it yet. It's sitting in a box waiting for a favorably 'calm' (i.e. no wind storm) day. Yesterday we had steady winds at 30 mph (Gaak!). [Even my squirrel was nearly blown out of his tree; he turned to me and said (I speak fluent squirrel), "Hold onto your nuts, baby, there's a big blow heading our way!" Or words to that effect and profuse apologies to anyone who finds that offensive.] _________________ 1973 Standard Beetle, 1974 VW/Porsche 914-4, 1.8 liter
----------------------
Der Volkswagen ist ein Ausdruck der deutschen Kultur der Allrad Art ...
[The only irrefutable evidence we have that intelligent life truly exists elsewhere in the Universe is the fact that so far it has NOT contacted humanity...]
Last edited by Windisch on Sat Apr 01, 2017 4:43 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
emersonbiggins Samba Member
Joined: February 18, 2003 Posts: 1681 Location: Nebraska
|
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2017 4:41 pm Post subject: Re: Exhaust System for 1973 Things- Suggestions, Opinions Wanted |
|
|
I went cheap and modified an old monza exhaust
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Windisch Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2014 Posts: 362 Location: Sacramento, CA 95822
|
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2017 4:44 pm Post subject: Re: Exhaust System for 1973 Things- Suggestions, Opinions Wanted |
|
|
emersonbiggins wrote: |
I went cheap and modified an old monza exhaust
|
Hey, that's cool. Quite innovative and it looks good also! Neat idea! _________________ 1973 Standard Beetle, 1974 VW/Porsche 914-4, 1.8 liter
----------------------
Der Volkswagen ist ein Ausdruck der deutschen Kultur der Allrad Art ...
[The only irrefutable evidence we have that intelligent life truly exists elsewhere in the Universe is the fact that so far it has NOT contacted humanity...] |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Bashr52 Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2006 Posts: 5666 Location: On an island in VA
|
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2017 4:30 am Post subject: Re: Exhaust System for 1973 Things- Suggestions, Opinions Wanted |
|
|
I built my own:
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Windisch Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2014 Posts: 362 Location: Sacramento, CA 95822
|
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2017 8:06 am Post subject: Re: Exhaust System for 1973 Things- Suggestions, Opinions Wanted |
|
|
Bashr52 wrote: |
I built my own: |
Have to admit I wish I had skills in that area, but welding techniques and metal fabrication beyond a certain modest limit have always eluded me. That said, I've always liked the earlier style (bus-type) taillights (on Things), even though from a safety standpoint they are not quite as prominently viewable as the later type. AND...I'm a big fan of orange paint on Things (that probably stems from my USAF days in Arctic search/rescue/survival concerns, wherein high-viz was always regarded as being very important; with the safety factors of Things considered, being seen is a plus factor when you have a Thing on a roadway with bigger vehicles. _________________ 1973 Standard Beetle, 1974 VW/Porsche 914-4, 1.8 liter
----------------------
Der Volkswagen ist ein Ausdruck der deutschen Kultur der Allrad Art ...
[The only irrefutable evidence we have that intelligent life truly exists elsewhere in the Universe is the fact that so far it has NOT contacted humanity...] |
|
Back to top |
|
|
air-h2o-air Samba Member
Joined: January 25, 2015 Posts: 579
|
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2017 7:40 pm Post subject: Re: Exhaust System for 1973 Things- Suggestions, Opinions Wanted |
|
|
the empi trimill copy fits well but makes a stock engine sound like an old 8N Ford tractor |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|