TIV Bus Exhaust

vwbusman215 · Post by **vwbusman215** » Tue Feb 12, 2002 9:00 pm

After completing the rebuild on my engine sometime by this summer I will be doing away with my stock heat exchangers since I have a BN4 gas heater on its way to me as we speak, but I am not familar with any, if any, after market exhausts for the bus that don't use the heat exchangers. Can someone point in the direction I need to head in this area. I don't care to spend 400-500 on a SS exhaust system but would like something that flows better than the stock heat exchangers.

Thanks
Casey www.angelfire.com/tx5/76vwbus

76type2 · Post by **76type2** » Wed Feb 13, 2002 6:43 am

Just installed an EMPI one on a 76 Westie for a friend. It fit well and the tubing was thick on the header. I didn't like the flanges where you bolt it to the heads. They were just small pieces of flatstock bent into a V shape and welded on the pipes. I believe this was purchased from European Motorworks. I'm not positive on the purchase place. Hope it helps. Dj

regis101 · Post by **regis101** » Wed Feb 13, 2002 9:56 am

Greetings. If memory serves, The 72-74 exchangers are a header type. They have two separate pipes from the port to the flange. They just happen to be part of the exchanger(s). I have a 78 Westy. I have wondered if it is possible to take the header pipes ( two into one), turn them around so they aim toward the back . From there, a mufler shop would have to be used. Gets rid of all the u-bends and the exchangers. I dunno. Would probably hit the oil filter or something. I personally don't mind the length of my exhaust. 'Pose to add torque. Or at least, keep it flat. Same for the longer runners of the intake. I am using a bugpack header and single muffler with good results. Happy Trails, Regis

dstar5000 · Post by **dstar5000** » Wed Feb 13, 2002 10:04 am

I have a 78 Westy (with the triangle bolt pattern, U pipes and exchangers with a 4 tip monza muffler. It give great heat and sounds wonderful! My only problem will be finding a replacement in ten yrs or so......

Pillow · Post by **Pillow** » Wed Feb 13, 2002 10:30 am

The later "header" pipes cannot be turned around, which sucks.

The '72-'74 have the aluminum fins on them so that really will not work either.

The only solution I know of for a clean header is the 41X headers which do not have the aluminum fins and the exchanger bodies can be cut off to drop weight.

Granted between the '72'74 bus exchangers and 41X headers there is no real performance difference. Just weight.

I would just keep the stock exchangers the way they are... Not like dropping that 20 pounds is going to make it a drag racer

------------------
Adrian Pillow
'66 VW Westfalia - "Biscuit"
'79 Porsche 911 SC - "Cochese"

vwbusman215 · Post by **vwbusman215** » Wed Feb 13, 2002 1:04 pm

Hey everyone thanks for the input! I have a 79 motor with square ports that I will be buying a set of 1.8l heads since they have the bigger valves and was wanting to get a decent flowing exhaust on it. I have a 77 bus with heat exchangers that will fit the 1.8 heads since they are both the round exhaust ports, but I would rather just get rid of the heat exchangers all together if possible. Is there not a company or someone who makes an aftermarket exhaust sys that doesn't use the stock heat exchangers and will fit a bus? Any ideas? Thanks everyone for the input...

Casey

regis101 · Post by **regis101** » Wed Feb 13, 2002 1:30 pm

just a thought. What if you kept the header(s) and u-bends intact. From there you could have the muffler shop make a pipe that would replace the exchangers. Nothing more than two triangle flanges and some pipe. Oooo, I smell a patent here. Making it inch for inch would allow you to use the available aftermarket exhaust systems. The stock system does not flow all that bad. Sounds like your trying to get rid of some weight. You could even have an O2 bung welded onto the replacement pipes. One on each is even better. And so on....

regis101 · Post by **regis101** » Wed Feb 13, 2002 1:48 pm

O.K. ,This'll make ya tingle. Go to the type four section. Go to page seven ( today, at least ) Open up , " L.A. performance haeder arrives today" from , mynotch@aol or something . He has three pictures of the system. Yeah, Thats the ticket.

vwbusman215 · Post by **vwbusman215** » Wed Feb 13, 2002 2:17 pm

Thanks regis101, I remember reading that post now but had forgotten about it. If I just had the headers that would b great. I wonder what they cost? Do you think they would work in a bus as far as clearancing and all that type stuff...? They look like they would! Now you got me all excited!!

Thanks,
Casey

regis101 · Post by **regis101** » Wed Feb 13, 2002 5:39 pm

Lots of great info within these pages,huh? Your questions can be answered from reading the remaining posts of that thread and a call to the manufacturer. Happy Trails. Realize that whatever you do to the exhaust should be matched with more efficient intake. Lastly, be mindful of the limitations of the FI. But you knew that. Scan all of the FI posts. more great info there.

germansupplyscott · Post by **germansupplyscott** » Wed Feb 13, 2002 6:21 pm

fellas,

the la performance system has a poorly designed collector.

here is another idea:

get a set of 411 heater boxes. they have no manifold around the pipes. strip the outside sheet metal parts off, and presto - cheap type IV j-pipes. then get an S&S headers 72-74 bus exhaust. this will bolt right up and gives you a choice of mufflers. it will flow pretty good and has a good collector design (4-2-1).

the 411 heater boxes may be hard to find, but not impossible. i have a set that i got from ebay for about 60 bucks. the s&s header is less than that again, and the muffler is whatever you want to spend.

on the other end of the scale is the new exhaust from tangerineracing.com, which is super expensive and super good looking.

scott lyons

regis101 · Post by **regis101** » Wed Feb 13, 2002 7:42 pm

good call on the 411's. I'll be at the junkyard tomorrow. There is one out there. Sure will be nice when the aftermarket catches up with us. I agree about L.A,'s collector. Seems small. Space issue. What about just the header. Think that there is a chance the 72-74 exhaust will fit.?

vwbusman215 · Post by **vwbusman215** » Wed Feb 13, 2002 8:00 pm

Hey guys that's some great ideas exactly what I was looking for. Nothing radical but definetly better than the stock heat exchangers and won't strip the wallet clean. Sorry for my ignorence but what does s&s stand for? Also would purchasing the J-tubes that John C. sells for 75.00 be the same as the 411's striped down? Are there any pics of a setup like this that any of you know about? you guys are awsome and again thanks for sharing...

Casey

LeeE · Post by **LeeE** » Mon Feb 18, 2002 1:51 pm

Has anyone actually tried using 411/412 heat exchangers on a type IV bus (re: punkinfair)?
Are they the right length? Or does anyone know where to get J-Pipes for a Type IV bus? I bought a Type IV 1.8 engine that was in a dune buggy, and haven't had much luck yet finding J-Pipes or heat exchangers for my '73 bus. Bus Boys has a special on 411/412 exchangers, much cheaper than bus exchangers, and I don't really need heat.

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Mon Feb 18, 2002 2:09 pm

personally I used the 411 pipes because they were on my engine when I got it BUT John at aircooled.net has these tubes now that have been specially made up for the guys on shop talk forums. I think he has two versions.
The 411 are getting hard to get and have 30 yrs of use on them. But they are made very well and if a set is in good shape go for it. I think the Bursch header made for the 914 would be a good choice for a bus without heater boxes. Good Luck. Bob Ingman