stainless exhausts

[VERAT25]

whats the most you/ve paid for new system (stainless)including getting out studs that have virtually disappeared?????????? and all new brackets etc
also told the heat cowling is not required??

got a quote of £580.0 today

verat25(cardiff)

[California Dreamin]

£580.00 Labour?

Stainless Steel systems range from about £400 all the way up to about £630 but then there is the fitting.

If everything were to come off without any problems I guess 5 hours wouldn't be far off the mark...HOWEVER, rounded and or broken studs and possible engine removal to access, increases this time to anything between one and three days with the average at a day and a half.

In labour terms @ £45.00 an hour thats anything between £360 and £1080 plus the cost of the exhaust

However.....some SS exhaust manufacturers (JP...is that the one in Macklesfield?) offer a set price to supply and fit.

Martin

[Bessie the camper]

i paid £550 all in that was with a twin box

[AngeloEvs]

I have just fitted a VW speedshop SS at around £450 - 00 (including new SS studs/nuts, delivery,etc). My local garage mechanic removed the old system which had a mix of studs and nuts holding the manifold flanges and were in a appalling condition. Only two could be removed in the normal way. He removed the entire system without dropping the engine and the charge was £140-00. I fitted the new system but it was worth every penny as he used techniques/tools/equipment that I don't have to get the old one off. The total cost was around £600 and the speedshop SS system is easy to fit.

When I saw the condition of the nuts and studs I was convinced the engine would need dropping - not so, he proved me wrong! There is no substitute for a good mechanic who knows his job or using a company such as JP that are well familiar with the problems of removing the old system. As for brackets, fittings and gaskets, etc - check with the supplier and ask what comes with it.

[ianirp]

Hi Angelo EVS
i have an 89 registered camper with the studs in the same state. I have ordered a VW Speedshop exhaust yesterday with the intention of getting it fitted by a local reputable VW mechanic (who said he can sort out the studs!!) at the same time as he is sorting the tracking and a service on Monday. How is your exhaust now it is fitted? I searched long and hard and read forums on the different exhaust options, and plumped for the same as you. The only possible reservation i may have is how noisy is it, due to the fact that the muffler looks alot shorter. It is too late now as it is en- route to me as we speak, hopefully!, but what are your findings regarding fit and noise level? (if it is alot noisier, i have got a couple of days to convince the wife to expect a difference in volume, and that it is perhaps normal with non stock exhausts!!!).

Regards

Ian

[Cruz]

Contact fairwynds he fitted a speedshop exhaust about 2 years ago when I got a JP one

[AngeloEvs]

Yep, it is fitted and the noise level is fine, I haven't noticed any increase in noise level at 50/55 mph but yet to whizz it down the A14..... Sounds ok to me not much different to the stock unit and very easy to fit. The only aspect that caught me out was that I fitted the box last and found it very difficult to tighten the top nut/bolt on the muffler flange using normal length 17 mmm ring spanner. I chopped it into two halfs.... ...and no problem accessing that top nut/bolt afterwards....

You might want to check with VW Speedshop regards new head manifold gaskets as these are not normally supplied (the others are of course) - he did however put four into my kit as he said he had some available (at no extra cost).

Make sure your engine mountings are OK - numpty here didn't and the VW SS exhaust design runs close the the cross member - any excess engine movement and you will hear the exhaust pipes rattle against the cross member when starting the engine. Off to order a set of mounts and good luck with removing the old system!

[Ian Hulley]

You should've fitted some tube guards at the same time mate.

Ian

[AngeloEvs]

I don't think you can Ian, I offered them up but they seem too deep and foul the pipework. I may have look again, possibly shorten them or wait and see if anyone fitted them withot having to mod them. I have both pushrod covers but removed one of them years ago and have been running with just one fitted.

[Ian Hulley]

Mr Baxters stainless ones are a delight to behold !

[AngeloEvs]

Baxters is very nice but way over my budget, especially if you need new saddlles too. I like the speedshop design and haven't seen any negative feedback, the price and the ability to fit a lambda probe are big plusses for me.

[Ian Hulley]

I meant the pushrod covers

[ianirp]

Angelo EVS
Many thanks for your reply and information.(Even if it was noisier than a stock exhaust, it has to be quieter than the holed one that is on it now!). My camper is at the garage now with the recently arrived exhaust ready to be fitted. It was too late for me to ask him to send the manifold gaskets, but the garage said he has got most spares that i may need anyway. Am looking forward to getting it back at the end of the week!. I will mention the engine mounts and hopefully they will fit them and done with at the same time. Especially if they may need to drop the engine to remove the studs.
Ian

[karmannkarmann]

I'm the new owner of a t25, it's got a stainless system on it to with a lamda probe, knocks really badly upon start up is there any way of sorting this as I'm sure in time it may just break the welds, also silly question but how do you tell if the engine mounts are knackered?

[Ian Hulley]

I'm the new owner of a t25, it's got a stainless system on it to with a lamda probe, knocks really badly upon start up is there any way of sorting this as I'm sure in time it may just break the welds, also silly question but how do you tell if the engine mounts are knackered?

You really ought to start a new thread mate.

If the engine's a rocking under starting and reving then the mounts may well be shot. Saw some that came from Heritage VW and they looked very good quality for £7 something each (x 4 of course)

Ian