I need a new muffler.....1971, 1.7L, what are my options? Options

[potomacmidget]

Hi -

The Bursch exhaust on my 1971 1.7L is beyond repair at this point. I unbolted it and need to purchase a new unit. I am pretty open on replacements, meaning I don't have to replace it with another Bursch (of course would like to keep the price manageable but that is another topic...). With that said, minus the Bursch, the car is bone stock and so I would need a new system, the gaskets and the associated bolts as they are not in good shape (I am unsure of the bold size, any help there appreciated too). I did the measurements from a picture I found on the site and I definitely have the dimensions for the 1.7 L HX.

I read in another thread that the tailpipe on a vendor's unit was not compatible with the stock rear valence, so I guess I need to avoid that unit (Dansk?).

I know that 914rubber has a stainless steel system too - anyone have any experience wit that one? Any advice appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Best,
Reg

[wonkipop]

here are some photos of back when i modded the bus muffler.
about 4 years ago.

i did run it unmodified for a while before that with a modded tailpipe out the rhs just for convenience when i first had to change the muffler. (that was when the penny dropped about the rotated flanges. when we first looked at the muffler both my mechanic and i thought, aha its just a bus muffler. but then after getting hold of one and going to tfit it we both said, oh no its not quite a bus muffler. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) )then i took it off and did it properly a bit later on.

the photos have reminded me we did a bit of reinforcing to kind of duplicate how the 914 mufflers have reinforcing plates from the flange back to the muffler body.
we did "sturdy" plates but given the muffler pretty much hangs of those flanges even though the flanges are suspended from the hanger off the gearbox i figured i'd make sure it did not vibrate so much it would crack the flange welds down the track.

it all works really well except the exhaust does sound very "tinny" until it warms up.
i put that down to the SS heat exchangers in addition to this SS muffler.
doesn't have that deeper tone that the mild steel exhaust systems have.