Installation notes: Bostig's new "catifold" exhaust system

[MsTaboo]

Just FYI, here's the amount of room that Jim has to work with. As you can see there's plenty of space to angle the catifold outward away from the engine.
It would also have the added bonus of providing more clearance between the engine and the cat, reducing heat buildup in the block and oil pan.

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'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec

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[bostig]

OK. The "Jim should have taken the time" the "half-baked etc etc are clearly understandable responses. But wrong. Being born of frustration, I completely understand, and should not have posted the exhaust for upgrade without the major warning about existing AC. That was the mistake, not poor design or lack of consideration, the solution will prove it (which will either be the perpendicular outlet of the hoses, or custom AC block, or both. Could even be another compressor setup entirely (I've never liked the ford outlet block).

I normally don't accept returns, but clearly for the people that have this issue (max 9 people out of 700+ conversions) you can absolutely return it. And I'll buy the manifold from you as well so you aren't out.

If bostig had ever offered an AC option, and it didn't work... wow that would be dumb, but that's not what happened. For the "Jim should have designed it so it works with mine" that's just not possible/feasible.

As far as why isn't the solution ready right now, just like the docs being lower in priority than working product, dev of a path to AC for RG9+ isn't ready before the exhaust was. Which alone was quite a feat to get done in time between groups.

I am very sorry for the huge mistake on not slapping big bold caveats about the AC on the order page, but for this I've offered not only returns/refunds, but also purchase of the manifolds.

Again sorry for the mistake/lack of warning to the folks that have AC already if it isn't a bolt on. We can work out the return/purchase of manifold, or you can pursue the workaround to support my version of AC compressor outlet when ready. The other option is to have local shop do a custom exhaust setup to work with your custom AC setup, the typical flow of custom implementations for anything in the aftermarket.

If you want the new RG9+ exhaust and already have AC, chances are you'll have to change/open the system. That really sucks, and what sucks even more is that I didn't put it on the order page to begin with. However it will not become a larger problem as you won't be able to get your hands on the set until next group either, and the AC solution, and the additional work for folks with AC will be a known quantity by then.

Before you go about trashing me and my work out of frustration, please consider the entire problem, not just your own, the scope of both the problem and the market itself, workarounds and their complexity and the down-the-road impacts. None are too bad for such an update given the benefits, but if you're like Ms Taboo with unusable parts in hand hoping to upgrade and be done, none of this is of any consolation today. For that I understand and apologize.

-Jim Akiba

[Guybrush]

Jim, this is no trashing out of frustration: our A/C situations are not "custom". They use the standard Ford type A/C compressor, and having A/C on a Vanagon should not be treated as an exceptional situation. It's totally normal. I'm not sure how many people who have the newer exhaust type also have A/C but this is definitely not an exceptional situation and should have been expected. There have been quite a few threads here and on Facebook about how to route the A/C hoses, so this configuration is known.

[JudoJeff]

Well I feel bad I didn’t have the FS10 here while doing the install, might have been able to provide better information and photos on the clearance. I haven’t bought the catifold yet, and may not if I have to jump through A/C hoops.

But Jim hasn’t shown us his solution, I’ll reserve judgement until then.

I don’t have a syncro, or a skid plate, so never think in those terms.

just saw Jim’s response, what more can you ask for? Full refund. And there will be a workaround.
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1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout)

[bostig]

[shizzon]

What about this block? Seems like it would have better clearance

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/vta-045018

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1989 Bostig Syncro Westy

[bostig]

Getting warmer, but they are going the wrong direction as well. There used to be a source for 90 degree blocks like the focus had stock, but they stopped making them after the company was acquired. Longer stems and 90 degree outlets will work though, you'll still have to open the system though, sucks, but there is no other way of making it work unless the lines are so tight to the block running straight back leaving the bracket off would allow them to fit, and then another bracket would be the workaround.

[Guybrush]

[shizzon]

[Guybrush]

[bostig]

I see why you wouldn't like the answer as it doesn't help you. There is no compatibility issue with anything that anyone paid me thousands for. Belt length info/routing is of course provided, so is some starting info on how to get AC working, is also posted, but the implementation details are not.

If you're trying to tell me Ms. Taboo's setup is identical to all the rest, and that I'm the one that spec'd it out or that it's even possible to accommodate all of the variation in the new design, that is demonstrably incorrect.

I will continue selling the old style cats.

[bostig]

When I say 90 degree block outlets I mean 90 degree outlets (not rear outlet with 90 degree bends) just like the stock focus block, which also has close coupled cat in an even tighter position.

[shizzon]

Here's a photo of my compressor held up next to my catifold. The straight block obviously interferes. The sideways block wouldn't work for my compressor given the orientation of the suction/outout holes, but this gives a sense of what the clearance looks like. I believe that with the outlets facing the way they are in the other pictures on this thread its likely that block would work.

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1989 Bostig Syncro Westy

[shizzon]

[Guybrush]

[MsTaboo]

[MsTaboo]

[jfu057]

[MsTaboo]

[jfu057]

I will take some and post tomorrow afternoon.