1979 California Aftermarket Exhaust

[AndyC13]

My OE exhaust began to rot away.
So I bought a replacement muffler.

Needless to say, the repro part was not the same as the OE part!
I have spent the last two weeks trying to find a fitting kit, and in the end have had to bodge fit it. Not ideal!

I have decided to fit a nice aftermarket system that will replace the cat and all the pipework.

In the UK, there is only one person that seem to make an exhaust for the triangular flanges! They cost about £350-400. But he's a one man band.

Is there anyone in the US that makes them? Surely there must be!

[airkooledchris]

If you have a 79 California model and it's original exhaust - you can switch to the better 72-74 style system and use all of their aftermarket exhaust systems instead going forward.

To switch you will need the drivers side FEDERAL 79 heater box, to match the passenger side heater box which is already setup to accept the 72-74 style exhaust.
You will also need the tinware for that side of the motor, for the heater box connection to the heater fan.

[AndyC13]

Bumping a previous reply.

Is this the sort of thing?

https://www.vwheritage.com/021256091m-heat-exchanger-1700-2000cc-left-hand-side

How do I know what ports I have on a 79 Cali?
Round/Oval/Square?

[williamM]

you will need to look at your cylinder head to manifold connection and see if you have the 79 square manifold or the earlier "round"exhaust ports- as in the picture- the 79 took gaskets and bolted to the head flat- the pre 79 had a round copper seal deeper in the head and had the manifold as you see in the ad.

This is the latter one- notice that the manifold has the mating surface and bolt holes on the same plane- and you ad shows the mating surface and the bolt holes at different "heights " along the header.




[img]

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and as mentioned- the cabin heat intake moved - so the tin work and tube will need to be added. You can just cut a new hole in the top tin and plug the old one, but the tube will need to be replaced.[img][/img]
_________________
some days I get up and just sit and think. Some days I just sit.

opinion untempered by fact is ignorance.

Don't step in any!

[BayCreamPuff]

Here's the left side for square port federal 79

https://www.vwheritage.com/039256091c-heat-exchanger-left-hand-side-2000cc
_________________
Cream Puff
'79 CA Stock FI Deluxe Campmobile

Earl Grey
'87 GoWesty 2.2 Westfalia

Marsha Mellow
'00 Eurovan VR6 Full Camper

[SGKent]

[AndyC13]

[AndyC13]

I've been told I will also likely need different heat risers.
Is that the case?

Also, two new pieces of tinwear?
Lower and rear lower engine?

[williamM]

replacing the DS heat box and manifold and long cross the back tubing with just the federal heat exchanger will solve all your problems. that will put 2 identical exhaust outlets to the rear of the bus and you can then put a header and vanagon style long muffler on there or the single full width muffler on there- I'll see if I can find my other pic. you end up with a 3 piece exhaust system- (not counting the tail pipe.

[img]

[/img][img]

Or this

[/img]
_________________
some days I get up and just sit and think. Some days I just sit.

opinion untempered by fact is ignorance.

Don't step in any!

[SGKent]

Andy - are you in a smog state?
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[AndyC13]

[williamM]

[AndyC13]

[SGKent]

If UK laws allow you to remove smog parts, you need to find a left side heat exchanger, and new muffler. That is the easiest solution. I would keep the 1979 California parts in case there ever is a need to smog the bus.
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[AndyC13]

[BayCreamPuff]

To link to this post

[AndyC13]

[BayCreamPuff]

Just edited it with some links for UK vendors
_________________
Cream Puff
'79 CA Stock FI Deluxe Campmobile

Earl Grey
'87 GoWesty 2.2 Westfalia

Marsha Mellow
'00 Eurovan VR6 Full Camper

[AndyC13]

One last question before I start ordering parts...

As a fuel injected bus, I assume there is a lambda sensor?
Goes into the cat from what I remember?

Therefore, will the lambda sensor reach the hole on the Vintage Speed exhaust, which seems to be on the other side to the original cat placement.

[AndyC13]

Fear not!

Managed to find a picture from above, where I can see two holes.