The Cal-look Lounge

I'll explain.

The weld between the two mufflers on my dual QP mufflers has cracked so I'm getting it repaired. They have to grind off the ceramic coating to do it so I have to get it recoated. As it turns out I have another muffler system that has a small dent, I put it on so I can drive the car. It's bare metal but looks almost black. Since i'm getting the old one recoated, I can change it from high luster silver to black.

So should I??

(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r172/oldnslow/010/IMG_20140518_155433_580.jpg)

(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r172/oldnslow/010/2180_2.jpg~original)

We had a silver coated one on a late car with bumpers and changed it to black, the black is much better, (I think).

IMO, black looks best with the old school style QP's.  If you like the protection of ceramic coating have the QP's ceramic coated in black.  Trouble is, I don't believe you can leave the tips chrome then, which to be "correct" needs to happen.

I've always dug the looks of the early merged QP's when they tuck up inside the fenders a bit and make the tips level or slightly pointed down.  Looks tuff.   8)

Like this?
(http://www.glenn-ring.com/temp/Fall_2005_2a.jpg)

Black for sure.. The coaters can tape off the chrome tips, but I'm sure you know that Glenn.

I think the black looks better on the duals Glenn.

The silver mufflers say "Hey look at me, I don't have a stock engine". The black mufflers are less noticeable.

Out of the two choices I would go for satin black but that said I have really never liked the look of an exhaust that stick out like the dual muffler/fat boys etc. Is it a history/vintage thing? It surely cant be a performance thing since you today can get a really nice performance exhaust that is tucked nicely under the apron and exit where it should. I think the rear of your car would look better without the exhaust hanging out.

Just my two cents.

Best rgs
BB

Like the most here,i would go for black as well.

Henk!!!

Black

You don't have to grind off the coating -- most coaters will burn it off before recoating

Grind it off to fix the weld.

Did you forget what the name of this forum is?

   ^^^like.

Nope, but that no excuse for poor looks.

-BB-

I do agree - from a personal perspective. I've always wondered why folk don't fill in the original cutouts if they are not being used ? And, as you say there are some killer exhausts out there these days that are very discreet.
However, part of the fun of our 'hobby' is that there are so many flavours of what can be done, so each to their own I say.....

And on this car with the chrome bumpers, I personally prefer the silver exhaust....better still if it was stainless.

If you must go with that exhaust on your car; I would choose black or wrinkle red paint....

Because you won't be able to install a stock engine and exhaust after you blow up one engine and waiting for the next to be done.

(http://www.glenn-ring.com/temp/zengine7.jpg)
Since I had the stock 1600DP sitting, it might as well get installed so I can drive it around.

Must of been the only Berg 5 mated to a stock engine.

Vintage speed stainless exhaust on my 1303S, 1915ccm, IDF`s and a beatiful 010 from Glenn;

(http://www.vwnorge.no/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=60339.0;attach=216124;image)

-BB-

Beetle Bug, What are the vintage speed exhausts like for making power? I was interested in there 13/4 system

Thanks
David

Hi David, my 1915 engine produced 112hp on a very strict dyno with the Vintage Speed Superflo muffler, original size pulleys, belt and original, German heat boxes. It is a mild engine with CB round port heads and a Engle W120 in combination with 1:1 ratio rockers. On my engine the heat boxes are the bottle neck and not the Vintage Speed exhaust. I`m really happy with the exhaust and the sound is spot on where I want it be. Silent enough to really enjoy a long cruise. Unless you have a fire breathing monster I doubt that their 1 3/4" exhaust will restrict your engine more than the more commonly used systems from any other vendor.

-BB-

[/quote]

Beetle Bug, What are the vintage speed exhausts like for making power? I was interested in there 13/4 system

Thanks
David

[/quote]

For the heck of it I fitted a 1-3/4 (44mm ) Vintage Speed exhaust to a 2332 that is currently in my 66,  it replaced an A1  1-3/4...
On the street I cant feel any difference in power, so IF there is a loss in peak power over the A1 its not much... ( this motor went  12.60's N/A at 1900 lbs...)  my plan was to do a back to back chassis dyno test but never got around to it. The fit of the exhaust is /was awesome.

I have changed the gearing in the trans to a more highway friendly ratio, and am thinking of pulling the cage out as I dont drag race it any more, The best thing about the Vintage Speed to me is the exhaust note at highway speeds and the lack of the annoying exhaust resonation at 3400 RPM's cruising speed.  (4.12 with a .82 ) 
If you happen to have a stereo in your car you will be able to hear it  ;)

Sorry to take it off topic,  Glen I like the Black muffs with chrome tips!

Beetle Bug, What are the vintage speed exhausts like for making power? I was interested in there 13/4 system

Thanks
David

[/quote]

For the heck of it I fitted a 1-3/4 (44mm ) Vintage Speed exhaust to a 2332 that is currently in my 66,  it replaced an A1  1-3/4...
On the street I cant feel any difference in power, so IF there is a loss in peak power over the A1 its not much... ( this motor went  12.60's N/A at 1900 lbs...)  my plan was to do a back to back chassis dyno test but never got around to it. The fit of the exhaust is /was awesome.

I have changed the gearing in the trans to a more highway friendly ratio, and am thinking of pulling the cage out as I dont drag race it any more, The best thing about the Vintage Speed to me is the exhaust note at highway speeds and the lack of the annoying exhaust resonation at 3400 RPM's cruising speed.  (4.12 with a .82 ) 
If you happen to have a stereo in your car you will be able to hear it  ;)

Sorry to take it off topic,  Glen I like the Black muffs with chrome tips!


[/quote]
Hi Darren, is this the muffler that your using? http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=905840
Thanks David

Just like that, except the pipes from the heads ( up to the flex pipe ) are a sandblasted Grey finish to help keeping head temps down.

The support brackets are different now ( beefier ) than in that picture.

Cheers

IMO, black looks better, especially on an orange car. I've always loved the look of dual QP's. Reminds me of when I started modifying my bug in the early 90's Before fat boy style mufflers were around everybody had quiet packs or a stinger. I've been thinking about building a set for the large flange merged exhaust on my car for a while now. My be time to get on it.

i must ask this question here as the vintage speed has the same setup.
is there a difference in performance between a two and two merged header like the vintage speed one described above and a more 'conventional' 4 into 1 merged header?
the reason i ask is that a 2+2 may be a good way to shorten exhaust headers, and porsche uses this type on there 911s and they are not on the shy side of horsepower engines.

Hi Nicolas, read my reply 4 posts up ^^^^

cheers

yep i saw it, i even read it, but i must have had a goldfish moment there… sorry 'bout that!

so no real, dramatic difference. so how much does the header length influences hp or torque? it must have some (maybe even a lot) influence, so why are there not more performance based 2+2 headers?
if memory serves me right, i think JPM made a short as possible header for a customer or the mouse motor that was made to the calculations of what would work best.

I also like the look of dual quiets but my 1.75" header was an issue with its 2.25" collector so I came up with this compromise.   This is a true performance set up where form followed function but still got the look I was after. [attachment=1]

That's about what I would like to do. What mufflers and tubing diameter did you use?

Unfortunately I don't know what muffler it is.  I cut them out of an existing system I had.  The 2 into 1 collector is 2.25" to 1.75" tubes.

Go with the black Glenn, I think your car needs it.

-jeffrey

Thanks for all the feedback.

After discussing the options with Jet-Hot I decided to stay silver.

The reason is the black does not cleanup as easily as the silver. The black is a textured and satin finish. Since all VWs leak a little the oil and road grime does collect on the mufflers and need to be cleaned occasionally. The silver cleans with parts cleaner and some Mothers mag polish and has looked new for 40,000 miles. I can't do that on the black and can only use soap and water. That's just going to clean off any burnt on oil.

Its been silver for 30 years so i'll just keep the same look.

The car basically looks the same since 1980 and that's part of the cool thing about owning a car so long. it's easily recognizable to anyone.

Just arrived. I'll be driving it again shortly.

(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r172/oldnslow/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140612_124621_836.jpg)

Looking good, real chiney! Just in time for Litchfield.

-jeffrey