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Subaru Exhaust headers - Recommendations?
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simonslp
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 6:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just to beat a dead horse, can we confirm or deny that a Stan's header is a no-go on a syncro? As I understand it the issue is that the header won't fit with the skid plate without modification to the skid plate. Anybody got actual info on this? Just how much modification are we talking?

Some context, pics of the (beautiful!) stan's header from the samba (thanks to the contributors)
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


And my current setup, with skid plate fitting over (cracked) small car header:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Thanks in advance for any advice and input!
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ragnarhairybreeks
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 6:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Please help Simon, I'm sick of welding up his small car headers Smile

Alistair
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mwolf5682
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 6:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lets beat that dead horse but good.

I purchased the RMW header and exhaust set up at least 3 years ago. I had to get the heat shield and mount to hold it all on. It has seen serious service in the wastelands of Mpls MN. The raw steel vanagon exhausts would last at best 2-3 years and just be a rusted mess. The Kennedy header lasted several years but it also was a mess.

I was underneath replacing a transmission mount this week, and the header, muffler and ancillary pieces are just a nice tan color. The clamps are the only parts that seem to have corrosion on them. Truly amazing considering the service requirements here in the frozen north.

I would give them nothing but high marks for a great product, that has delivered everything I had hoped for in terms of durability and quality construction.
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Sodo
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 10, 2015 9:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Have a Vanaru header, for 4 years now, it looks as good as NEW. I can still read the "VANARU" logo on the header.

My Syncro skidplate is slightly bent so it touched the header and made some ugly sounds. I eventually modified the skid plate. Needed about 1/4" more on the driver side, and had to drop the protector on passenger side. Could have straightened the skidplate I guess, but the bend is barely noticeable, and the modification was easy.

I will post pics installed (after Aug 2015) if anybody requests them.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


For this mod you can see with 20/20 hindsight that if the cut was symmetrical it could have been just welded back in.

I flattened it a little & welded it back in. But it could have been much more "satisfying". Cool

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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wiskas
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 14, 2015 7:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

From my reading of the archives, it seems Vanaru's headers get consistently good reports. Unfortunately for me, they won't sell headers or other parts anymore. (They're in the full-conversion-only business now.)

The next-most favorably-regarded headers seem to be Stan's headers, preferably with the ceramic coating. But no one with a syncro (and a camera) has been able to confirm it clears the skid plate.

I don't even have a skid plate at the moment, but I don't like the idea that I won't be able to fit one on if I get those headers... I got stuck in the sand last week, so I'm feeling very concerned about clearance at the moment.

So for people who have put them on a syncro: how big of a deal is the clearance/skidplate fitment issue for Stan's headers? Would the modifications that Sodo did to his (Vanaru) setup be the solution for people with Stan's headers?

Thanks!
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insyncro
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 14, 2015 8:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

wiskas wrote:
From my reading of the archives, it seems Vanaru's headers get consistently good reports. Unfortunately for me, they won't sell headers or other parts anymore. (They're in the full-conversion-only business now.)

The next-most favorably-regarded headers seem to be Stan's headers, preferably with the ceramic coating. But no one with a syncro (and a camera) has been able to confirm it clears the skid plate.

I don't even have a skid plate at the moment, but I don't like the idea that I won't be able to fit one on if I get those headers... I got stuck in the sand last week, so I'm feeling very concerned about clearance at the moment.

So for people who have put them on a syncro: how big of a deal is the clearance/skidplate fitment issue for Stan's headers? Would the modifications that Sodo did to his (Vanaru) setup be the solution for people with Stan's headers?

Thanks!


Call Stan and ask if it is designed to clear the Syncro skidplate Idea
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wiskas
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 15, 2015 2:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

insyncro wrote:
Call Stan and ask if it is designed to clear the Syncro skidplate Idea


not a bad idea...
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Jake de Villiers
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 15, 2015 10:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

wiskas wrote:
insyncro wrote:
Call Stan and ask if it is designed to clear the Syncro skidplate Idea


not a bad idea...


Last time I called, Stan himself answered the phone! 50th Anniversary in business and he's still taking calls from strangers. Very Happy
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Franklinstower
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 15, 2015 10:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

wiskas wrote:
insyncro wrote:
Call Stan and ask if it is designed to clear the Syncro skidplate Idea


not a bad idea...


I seriously doubt he has seen enough (or any) Syncro's with Skid Plates installed to be able to answer that question. He design his headers Originally for Small Car some 15+ years ago based on a 2wd Conversion. I think someone from NorthWesty had dropped off his Syncro back when Jeff and I started the Stan's Headers topic 3 or 4 years ago.

I think you would have better luck getting a correct answer by calling Kirk at Northwesty.
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insyncro
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 15, 2015 1:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I own a Stan's header for an EG33 and it's in a Syncro with the skid.

No clue on the 2.5 as it is so low on my list of engine choices that I haven't kept up with what fits.

I am starring at the newest Small Car header for the 2.5 on a Syncro right now and it fits fine with the skid.
This improved header is about 1000% better than the previous versions.
If I was to mount a 2.5 in a Syncro I would use all SC parts as the other guys miss the boat on mounting the skid.

Where are all the Syncro owners with Stan's headers???
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FrankenSubySyncro
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 15, 2015 7:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Smallcar is currently out of stock:
https://www.smallcar.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29829
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wiskas
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 17, 2015 3:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My current direction is to buy some primary tubes from OutFront and have someone local build up the rest.

Similar to this:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=481776
http://www.outfrontmotorsports.com/primary_tubes.htm
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physast
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 07, 2015 8:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have an older SC header that came with my conversion (around 2007). There is a hole at one of the welds. Other than that the header is in great shape to be so old. This must be a GEN1 header.

I was going to take it off and weld the hole, but my awesome wife purchased a new SS header from SC for me. It looks like it's built very well and installed with no issues. Only time will tell.

insights:
- exhaust noise is way down! Not just because of the hole, this must be an effect with the 321 SS
- came with a brace installed likely to keep things straight.

I plan on doing the TK peanut oil treatment.


I plan to wire wheel and weld up the old header and keep it around for a while just incase.
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AKWesty
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 4:17 pm    Post subject: Re: Subaru Exhaust headers - Recommendations? Reply with quote

I am in the middle of deciding whether to weld up my cracked small car header or replace it. Is the Vanaru header still the samba favorite for a small car replacement?
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Sodo
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 5:02 pm    Post subject: Re: Subaru Exhaust headers - Recommendations? Reply with quote

I think....I read somewhere....that vanaru is no longer selling headers, only supplying headers with their conversion kits. Maybe ask SmallCar for a written 3 year warranty? If you can get 3 years I think they might go the distance.
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D Clymer
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 6:22 pm    Post subject: Re: Subaru Exhaust headers - Recommendations? Reply with quote

From what I've heard, the latest version from Smallcar is much better quality and I haven't yet heard of one cracking. But since they are out if them, why not get one from Stan's? It's in the same price range, it's compatible with the Smallcar mount system, and it's very nicely made. I don't think you can go wrong with the Stan's unit.

OTOH, you could probably just weld yours up and buy some time until Smallcar has theirs back in stock.

Dave
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Synkraut
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 06, 2016 1:17 pm    Post subject: Re: Subaru Exhaust headers - Recommendations? Reply with quote

We have quite a large Vanagon/T3 communitity over here in Germany Wink but not that many actually do Subaru conversions, probably because the Subaru is not a common car over here and other VW engines are available everywhere.
Nevertherless, there are a few dedicated specialists here also and since I am set to do an EJ22 conversion on my '91 syncro doka (have all the parts ready) I think you guys could be interested in the exhaust headers from LMB Technik I will be using. They have an excellent reputation over here. They do a stainless 4 in 1 (equal tube length) manifold (and cat J-tube). I'll be posting some images of the conversion. For a first impression, check out their product PDF:
http://lmb-technik.de/produkte/LMB_Hochleistungs_Abgasanlage_T3.pdf
They also do shortened oil sump, adapter plates, engine support and exhaust brackets but because they have designed the exhaust headers for maximum (syncro) ground clearance, they do point out that their headers are not compatible with some of the popular (US) conversion oil sumps/engine mounts.
My first impression was: excellent quality and perfect fit, more to come
Cheers, André
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syncrodoka
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 06, 2016 2:32 pm    Post subject: Re: Subaru Exhaust headers - Recommendations? Reply with quote

Gorgeous header!
The obvious issue with a syncro would be that it looks like it will hit the skid plate that protects the engine.
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Synkraut
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 06, 2016 4:19 pm    Post subject: Re: Subaru Exhaust headers - Recommendations? Reply with quote

I will keep you informed if it fits under the syncro bashplate. But to be honest, I find it quite easy to adapt the bashplate with a little welding. I have had to deal with the wonderful "boxershop" exhaust system on my mv engine. That would not work with the bashplates either. Modifications are part of the syncro hobby. That's why we love it Smile
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Jake de Villiers
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 9:48 am    Post subject: Re: Subaru Exhaust headers - Recommendations? Reply with quote

Synkraut wrote:
They do a stainless 4 in 1 (equal tube length) manifold (and cat J-tube). I'll be posting some images of the conversion. For a first impression, check out their product PDF:
http://lmb-technik.de/produkte/LMB_Hochleistungs_Abgasanlage_T3.pdf
They also do shortened oil sump, adapter plates, engine support and exhaust brackets but because they have designed the exhaust headers for maximum (syncro) ground clearance, they do point out that their headers are not compatible with some of the popular (US) conversion oil sumps/engine mounts.
My first impression was: excellent quality and perfect fit, more to come
Cheers, André


That link's not working for me...
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