Buying a new exhaust system and exchangers

[Poptopcamper]

I've been restoring my 1978 VW Riviera over the last five years. I'm looking at my exhaust system and I'm thinking maybe one or two more years and then I'm going to need all new parts. The po said the bus had 65,000 original miles when I bought it, but the odometer was broken so who knows? Anyway, this is a complete system, so it could be the original.
I've been pricing parts on Bus Depot, and other VW parts retailers and it looks like I could hit close to $1,000, if I replace everything. There must be a cheaper way. I read an old post from 2010 about doing a 74 conversion and they said parts were available from German Supply, sometimes. But I didn't find what a 74 conversion was. If someone could aim me towards some info about that I'd appreciate it.
Also, I've used POR-15 to control some surface rust until I get to the paint job. I read that they have a product to treat the inside of gas tanks. Which leads me to wonder if their high temp product could be used to coat the inside and outside of a new exhaust system? If it worked, that would be the last time to buy one. Thanks for any help.😎
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If you only have one tool in your tool box, and it's a hammer, pretty soon, everything looks like it needs to be whacked!
1978 VW Riviera
2021 Dodge Ram 3/4 ton
2020 VW Tiguan
2001 Harley Electraglide Classic
1986 BMW R 800cc motorcycle
2002 Chevy Camaro Z28
1999 Harley Sportster 1200 Custom

[Abscate]

The cheap stuff will fit poorly, rust quickly, and otherwise suck.

$1000 in parts fir a decent Type 2 late Bay exhaust sounds about right.
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.ssS!

[Gregg in the 603]

Agreed. You go all new and you get Dansk heat exchangers. Junk under the skin. And what are they, $350 each or so? Crazy. Redo what you have and protect it, best option
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1979 Mexico Beige Westy auto
Dirty Dover, NH

[Poptopcamper]

$1,000. Yikes. Still curious about the 1974 conversion I read about in an old post.
_________________
If you only have one tool in your tool box, and it's a hammer, pretty soon, everything looks like it needs to be whacked!
1978 VW Riviera
2021 Dodge Ram 3/4 ton
2020 VW Tiguan
2001 Harley Electraglide Classic
1986 BMW R 800cc motorcycle
2002 Chevy Camaro Z28
1999 Harley Sportster 1200 Custom

[Wildthings]

The 72-74 heat exchangers and muffler are a direct bolt on replacement for the later exhaust system. There are a few pieces of under the engine tins that are different as well, you will either need those or do some modifications to the ones you now have.

Find the best used early heat exchangers you can find and then buy a top quality muffler to go with them.

[jtauxe]

I recently saw a pair of NOS VW heat exchangers for '72-74 for €1000, here on The Samba. You will not find better, but you're gonna pay.
_________________
John
"Travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie..." - Colin Hay and Ron Strykert
http://vw.tauxe.net
1969 Transporter, 1971 Westfalia, 1976, 1977, 1976, 1977, 1971, 1973, 1977 Westfalias,
1979 Champagne Sunroof, 1974 Westfalia Automatic, 1979 Transporter, 1972 Sportsmobile, 1973 Transporter Wild Westerner, 1974 Westfalia parts bus, 1975 Mexican single cab *FOR SALE*, 1978 Irish 4-door double cab RHD

[Gregg in the 603]

[Poptopcamper]

In about 1981, I put a new extractor on my 1973 VW bus. I lived in Austin, TX where buses were popular and parts houses had plenty of parts at inexpensive prices. I paid about $50, bolted it on and was down the road. I guess the heat exchangers were good, since they were only 8 years old.
Now I live in Wyoming and buses are almost non existent. There are a few hardy souls driving them. So I have to order everything online and pay shipping. I'm grateful for those suppliers. But I miss those foreign parts stores in Austin. And the VW wrecking yard! It was like Christmas picking parts off of crashed buses. Ah, the good old days.😎
_________________
If you only have one tool in your tool box, and it's a hammer, pretty soon, everything looks like it needs to be whacked!
1978 VW Riviera
2021 Dodge Ram 3/4 ton
2020 VW Tiguan
2001 Harley Electraglide Classic
1986 BMW R 800cc motorcycle
2002 Chevy Camaro Z28
1999 Harley Sportster 1200 Custom

[Wildthings]

You never know what you are going to find until you have found it. Bought several pairs of early heat exchangers in good condition for $25 a pair less than ten years back. I had been prepared to pay at least $100 per heat exchanger.

[Poptopcamper]

True dat Wildthings!
_________________
If you only have one tool in your tool box, and it's a hammer, pretty soon, everything looks like it needs to be whacked!
1978 VW Riviera
2021 Dodge Ram 3/4 ton
2020 VW Tiguan
2001 Harley Electraglide Classic
1986 BMW R 800cc motorcycle
2002 Chevy Camaro Z28
1999 Harley Sportster 1200 Custom

[Heliconman]

I bought a good used set of 72-74 exchangers from Averys air cooled. They are on often selling tin pieces and sometimes have a good condition original set of exchangers for sale. I have not installed mine but will be in good shape when I swap over. Maybe contact them and see what they have. I know they have a bunch of tin for sale right now.

[Poptopcamper]

Heliconman, Averys looks like a good lead for heat exchangers. Thanks. I'm still looking for a site or post that lists the parts needed for the 1974 conversion from my original 1978 set up. Picture(s) would be nice too. I'm interested in simplifying and saving some money. I'm watching a guy called Mustie1 on YouTube change out his original 1978 system for what looks like a simpler set up, but I haven't heard him say 1974 conversion. ??
_________________
If you only have one tool in your tool box, and it's a hammer, pretty soon, everything looks like it needs to be whacked!
1978 VW Riviera
2021 Dodge Ram 3/4 ton
2020 VW Tiguan
2001 Harley Electraglide Classic
1986 BMW R 800cc motorcycle
2002 Chevy Camaro Z28
1999 Harley Sportster 1200 Custom

[Bleyseng]

Best muffler/extractor setup for the early 72-74 exchangers is the Stainless Steel EMPI one at only $259.00 http://carcraftstore.com/stainlesslatetype2andtype4exhaust.aspx
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70 Ghia Black convert-9/69 build date-stock w/133k 1600 SP-barn find now with a rebuilt tranny and engine
77 Westy 2.0L w/Ljet, Camper Special engine-95hp and with LSD!(sold)
76 Porsche 914 2.1L L20c, 120hp Djet (sold)
87 Syncro Westy Titan Red 2.1L 2 knob 100k miles

[Poptopcamper]

That EMPI muffler is a beauty! I'm stil trying to find out which parts I need to convert from the 1978 setup to 74.😎
_________________
If you only have one tool in your tool box, and it's a hammer, pretty soon, everything looks like it needs to be whacked!
1978 VW Riviera
2021 Dodge Ram 3/4 ton
2020 VW Tiguan
2001 Harley Electraglide Classic
1986 BMW R 800cc motorcycle
2002 Chevy Camaro Z28
1999 Harley Sportster 1200 Custom

[lil-jinx]

This is a 79 setup,same as the 74 except for the connection at the cylinder head,

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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620186
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=668799
1974 Bay Westfalia. she likes to be called Ethel.
1968 Dune Buggy
1974 parts bus
A smart man learns from his mistakes,a very smart man learns from other's mistakes.

[williamM]

Jinx- has better pictures- but here is what I did---

You should be able to use the 79 right side (if its like the cali 78 that I have. ) Then all you need is a 78 fed left hand side- and an extractor that will work with you long muffler. Hard part is finding a suitable hanger for the exhaust.

So- with any lick, you get out at the cost of a 78/79 drivers side heat exchanger.


This is the cali 78 I took off.




[img]

Replacement fed 78 drivers side on-

[/img]

Found this to be a simple replacement instead of extractors and muffler.



[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!

[Wildthings]

[Poptopcamper]

Thanks lil-jinx and williamM. My 78 System has two dump pipes too. When I first crawled under and looked at it, I thought it had three exhaust pipes. It's much too complicated. I like simple.
_________________
If you only have one tool in your tool box, and it's a hammer, pretty soon, everything looks like it needs to be whacked!
1978 VW Riviera
2021 Dodge Ram 3/4 ton
2020 VW Tiguan
2001 Harley Electraglide Classic
1986 BMW R 800cc motorcycle
2002 Chevy Camaro Z28
1999 Harley Sportster 1200 Custom

[Wildthings]

[aerosurfer]

Here’s everything you need to know about the conversion

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

Don’t forget there are specific pieces of tin wear that go with the early system that are different from the 75-78 style.

It goes beyond just the exhaust setup, but the whole cooling system. That’s how the price gets up there quickly.

How about some pictures of what’s there now and what’s rusted beyond saving? Some new gaskets and high temp copper RTV on the joints may do you right. I use the bus depot extractor muffler on my stock 77 system, painted it with high temp grill paint and it has held up well for 5+ years now.
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Rebuild your own FI Harness..My Harness

77 Westy 2.0L Rockin and Rolling Resto!

72 Sportsmobile (sold)
79 Tran$porter... Parts car money machine (gone)