Tips ?warnings? Fitting empi exhaust

[Rosko]

Just ordered an empi single tip exhaust so i'll be fitting it next week. I've never done one before so I wondered if anybody more experienced than me (ooer Missus) might be able to tip me the wink about any common cock-ups.

Any warnings or tips would be much appreciated

 

[Harlequin]

My tip would be ---send it back , they rust out so fast you'll be replacing it this time next year,
I know they are more expensive to buy but a quality stainless system from the likes of bluebird(Yes I am bias for Bluebird, and know at least 4 other bus owners very happy with its system)
http://www.bluebird-type2.co.uk/split%20bay%20exhaust%201500%20up.htm

 

[VWAIRCOOLED]

It should be fairly straight forward,Clean up the exhaust maniflod studs with a wire brush and put some copper grease on the threads to prevent future seizing.Use new gaskets and clamps all round.
Before you fit it all fit the securing washer then the seal to the heat exchanger pipe which should be cleaned first.I put a bit of copper grease on the heat exchanger pipe too.Then slide the exhaust right on and do up the manifold nuts up evenly first,lining up the heat exchanger air blow pipes as you go(if you have them).Then do the heat exchanger pipe clamps up (push the seal and washer right up to the exhaust then fit the clamp around them and the exhaust flange),use the two bolt ones,I find the wrap around one bolt ones annoying.

Like Harlequin said,I know someone who had one which rusted very quickly.Maybe though when the paint starts to burn off you can wire brush it down and paint it in high temperature paint to last a bit longer? But it would be better to invest in stainless in the first place I agree.

 

[Rosko]

Thanks to both of you- Vw aircooled in particular!

Mind you, I appreciate the point Harlequin is making, I'd love one of those Bluebird jobs, but the £180 price difference means I'm going to have to stick with the EMPI...if the interview I went to this morning pays off then I'll invest in stainless steel once it rusts.

 

[kempy]

Thanks to both of you- Vw aircooled in particular!

Mind you, I appreciate the point Harlequin is making, I'd love one of those Bluebird jobs, but the £180 price difference means I'm going to have to stick with the EMPI...if the interview I went to this morning pays off then I'll invest in stainless steel once it rusts.

Bluebird always sell for less than advertised at shows and then theres ebay.

I pick up a stock style Bluebird stainless with less than 1000 miles useage for £70 a few months back.

 

[Tim]

I have a BB stainless too, its a great pipe and header. Buy one...and keep it forever... :wink: ...

 

[easy]

Ive got the JK stainless one and I think its better than the bluebird one :roll: they are essentially the same and you would struggle to see the difference, but give it a few months and 99% of all the bluebird ones have a heat stripe down the back box in the middle. Not what i personally want for spending all that money on a stainless system.

Had mine for years and its still perf :wink: 8)

 

[dandaz]

Make sure your bumper is on , cos you won`t get it on after you have fitted the exhaust..... :wink:

 

[speedwell68]

Like Harlequin said,I know someone who had one which rusted very quickly.Maybe though when the paint starts to burn off you can wire brush it down and paint it in high temperature paint to last a bit longer? But it would be better to invest in stainless in the first place I agree.

They rust from the inside out, mine has been on 8 months and the baffles have rotted out. It makes the bus sound like a motor boat. VW Speedshop do a nice Stainless steel quietpack and header. The back box is compatible with a Bugpack header, so it might work out cheap enough to get the s/s back box and a mild steel header and change the header for a stainless one when funds allow. The headers don't rot out as quickly as the back box.

 

[Harlequin]

You can always find good used S/S mufflers on ebay like this one
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330211151518&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=014
could be a real bargain

 

[kempy]

A Stainless Bluebird here for £150

http://www.volkszone.co.uk/VZi/showthread.php?t=429875

May be too late ???

 

[BayBusBoy]

My monza 4 tip (no I didn't just swear) is till going strong after three years Its sliencer box is rusted but no holes

And and added bonus I hear when they do begin to go flames come out the back so I can change my username to.... flame boy :lol:

 

[halfpint_fighter]

A word of warning for anyone thinking of getting a new manifold and silencer...make sure it is a camper manifold.

I got a second hand bugpack manifold that didn't fit because it hit the engine support bar.

Now i have a stainless steel JK manifold 8) picked it up at Stonor a couple of years ago for £60 unused!