New Exhaust for 2.1 petrol caravelle(1991)

[MaryMary]

Sorry to bother you but I was hoping someone would help with sourcing a complete new exhaust system so we can get our van through its MOT.We have seen the one on Just Campers which looks OK has anyone used it on a similar van? The garage man is good but worried about the corrosion on the brackets etc.

[Ian Hulley]

If it was me doing this over again I would buy this kit ... http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/shop?page=s ... ory_id=103

Not cheap but once done correctly it will never need touching again.

Ian.

[California Dreamin]

As Ian said ^^^^ not cheap but considered the best overall stainless steel system.
OK...you might save yourself a hundred and fifty quid by fitting a mild steel after market one but you will be doing the job again in two - three years time so false economy unless you intend to sell the van on.

Discount (5% I think on this) if you are a FULL member of 80-90 and then register with Brickwerks.

Fitting can be a can of worms due to snapping head studs and their location if they need drilling. Use plenty of plus gas easing spray the day before then if you have access to a gas rig.....heat is the best to free off those nuts and studs.

This can sometimes end up with taking the engine out in order to access broken studs so proceed with caution.

Martin

[California Dreamin]

Was just going to add:
I went to see one of my old work colleages the other month to blag some new studs for my SS system. At the time he was working on an old Mercedes S class circa early eighties which had broken a manifold stud in the head. There was this specialist GUY that had been called in....apparently an absolute genius at removing/drilling out and replacing broken manifold studs in the most awkward places.
Now I'm not suggesting that you call on this particular guy but mobile 'specialists' like this fella do exist in most areas of the country. They have all the shizzle...angled drills and specialist extractors but most importantly, day in day out experience of putting things like this right.
If I were to do mine again I wouldn't hesitate to call on one of these guys and save myself all hassel and heartache.

Martin

[MaryMary]

Hi again-unfortunately there is an 8 week wait for the SS exhaust and we don't want the van off road for that long. Has anyone used the Just Campers one?

[California Dreamin]

Hi again-unfortunately there is an 8 week wait for the SS exhaust and we don't want the van off road for that long. Has anyone used the Just Campers one?

Hi Mary? have you actually rang Brickwerks? because although they quote an 8 week lead time you rarely have to wait that long.

Michael/Simon at Brickwerks have found that this system is so popular that they are keeping several 'IN STOCK' and so usually you recieve it in under two days.

The Just Kampers 'Mild Steel' one is a NO BRAINER at £529.50 as their Stainless Steel one is just £15.50 more ! (although there does seem to be a cheaper late version at £449.50? not sure what thats all about)

As this is a NEW product for them there hasn't been much feedback...However, looking at the product I can make several observations:

Positive:
The design of the system 'itself' is all stainless steel and does not incorperate the original cast iron knuckle.
negatives
The use of normal mild steel exhaust clamps?
Non detachable tail pipe (not a problem in itself but it's a pretty puny small bore outlet)
No boss for a Lambda Probe (shouldn't be an issue on yours)

On the whole it doesn't look a bad system
As for the cheaper mild steel versions......my advice would be to give them as miss unless money is absolutely that tight.
Martin

[R0B]

http://www.jpexhausts.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[1664]

Hi Mary? have you actually rang Brickwerks? because although they quote an 8 week lead time you rarely have to wait that long.

Michael/Simon at Brickwerks have found that this system is so popular that they are keeping several 'IN STOCK' and so usually you recieve it in under two days.

Absolutely spot on - mine arrived within a couple of days

[Cruz]

Hi again-unfortunately there is an 8 week wait for the SS exhaust and we don't want the van off road for that long. Has anyone used the Just Campers one?

As Rob said I too went with the JP Exhaust system (as it was cheaper) and two years later I have not had any problems with it whatsoever. It will last longer than me

But if you can do, and you really want it then wait for the Brickwerks system. Also if you can LET THEM FIT IT.
Takes less than 1 hour to get there too and if you ask nicely they will even let you make your own brew

They even stock replacement stainless steel exhaust carrier brackets.

[mickcorr]

Mary,
I'll add to what Cruz said about the JP system........A year ago I wanted the Brickwerks system but couldn't wait for the 8 week lead time (they had none in stock, I checked) since I had a trip planned. I too considered the JK system but mainly the opinion on here was that it was a very new line of theirs and might have some issues that had not been ironed out over the short course of time.

I went for the JP system and am very happy with it. I got Steve at Gasure to fit it (JP fit as well but the van wouldn't have made the distance and Steve was closer) purely because I didn't fancy messing things up with stripped head bolts and the like.

As an addendum, I had a JK mild steel system on the van that had lasted 5 years - so they can last if you are lucky - but the cost was only about £250 at the time. The price differential with stainless is not so great now so if your van is a keeper I would definately recommend a stainless system.

Mick.

[AdrianC]

They even stock replacement stainless steel exhaust carrier brackets.

Not cheap, but definitely a thing of beauty. If the carriers aren't rotten (ours were) then don't be tempted to scrimp, get new straps at the very least.

The BW exhaust is the way we went - no leadtime, just before Xmas. There was a short wait for the carriers, though. Fit a set of rear engine mounts at the same time.

[Ian Hulley]

Fit a set of rear engine mounts at the same time.

Sound advice there

Ian

[Cruz]

Fit a set of rear engine mounts at the same time.

Sound advice there

Ian

Agreed. I had them done whilst having the late style engine carrier bracket fitted too (my van is an early type)

[California Dreamin]

I didn't stretch to the stainless steel sadles but thankfully the left side on my van was perfect, just as well because they are now obsolete from VW.
However the right side sadle was well rotted so I think the gods were smiling on me as very strangely these are still available at a few pence over £20.00.

I can vouch for changining those rear engine mounts. I did mine a couple of weeks ago and found only one mounting out of four was still in one piece

Martin