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]

@nathanxnathan

an epilogue for you.
found this 914world thread on a search.
(are you in an earlier avatar on this old thread as nathansnathon?)

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=156190


there is always something more to learn when it comes to 914s.
the OP on the thread i linked had a muffler that came off a 4 that looks not quite like anything i have seen. if i am not mistaken its a proper left hand exit exhaust and it must have been for a 412 since it orients correctly to accomodate the fan housing and dipstick where it would tuck up under the engine on a 412.



i took a look at 412 brochures.
i knew there was something strange and inconsistent about 412 exhausts.
sure enough.
sedans (and probably fastbacks) had a lhs exit.
variants had a rhs exit. (twin pipe arrangement because gas heater exhaust is positioned beside engine exhaust).



i reckon there were lhs exhausts fitted to 914s originally - probably in 73/74, but definitely 74 that were likely 412 sedan exhausts? and likely somewhere along the way VW stopped making this part or discontinued it and simply made the spare part a modified bus exhaust? or different OE suppliers at the time had different ways of rationalising assembly of variations? there were several suppliers of OE VW exhaust systems.

here is another photo of mine showing how the exhaust that came off mine (the rusty one on the floor) is exactly like the bus one i modified. what i don't know is whether my car came from the factory with this exhaust as i picked up the car in 1989. it could have already been a replacement muffler by that point in time.
and what i can see is the pictures of dansk 914 exhausts form adverts when i look closely do seem to match the 412 sedan version pictured in thread i found. ie when fitted the dents in them would be oriented up.



pretty funny stuff.
so what i am saying?
there definitely must have been two different kinds of ways you could get the 914 muffler back in the 70s and 80s as a spare part.
one way would have been the unit that dansk appear to be making which is actually a LHS side tailpipe 412 sedan muffler. could also be fitted to 914.
the other type would be a bus or 412 variant muffler with the inlet flanges inverted 180 deg which is the rusty old unit i pulled off my 914 and had been on it since at least 1989 but may not have been a factory fitted muffler but a spare part muffler.

i reckon it would depend on who made the mufflers as to how these things got rationalised. the unit i pulled of my car was a LANGE.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)