How to make a '74 1.8L sound less like a VW bug, Would this necessitate a muffler change? Muffler modification? Exhaust tip? Options

[mjsdt914]

Looking to improve the sound of my '74 1.8L ... make is less like a VW Bug ((

[PatMc]

Looking to improve the sound of my '74 1.8L ... make is less like a VW Bug ((

V8 swap (IMG:style_emoticons/default/flag.gif)

[friethmiller]

Custom tangerine racing exhaust!

[Superhawk996]

Porsche 6 cylinder. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif)

[mgphoto]

Adjust the valves so it doesn’t sound like it has a chain drive, sport muffler and your good to go.

[Craigers17]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpLaZc6cqnM

[Van B]

So many trolls lol (IMG:style_emoticons/default/slap.gif)

I’ve assessed the main problem with the sound is the small diameter muffler outlet. The exhaust gasses are coming out with too much velocity and give it that beetle pop.

So, however much money you want to spend to address that is the direction I would go.

I myself want more volume and a deeper sound, so The OEM muffler must die.

[Front yard mechanic]

Scab your own

[emerygt350]

That's awesome.

I found another 914 owner that was upgrading and gave him a couple cases of ipa for his Ansa. The Ansa is expensive new but man does it sound good and breathe well. I do like the single outlet look though. Maybe a bigger diameter out on the original banana? I assume 1.8s have a banana.

[wonkipop]

buy a ferrari?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)

some kind of sport muffler i suppose.

but being serious. 914s do not sound like beetles.
beetles had twin outlet pea shooter mufflers that produced the chirping sound that beetles have. 914s have the bus sound - no chirp.

what you really mean is how do i make my 1.8 not sound like a bus, when it is a bus engine---
more or less.

there were versions of the original muffler that VW porsche sold back when the cars were new. looked the same on the outside but the internal baffling and chambering was different. i had one on mine when i first bought it back in 89. it was marked with stamping on it. had a deeper tone. it rusted out 20 years ago.

good luck finding one, but its the sort of thing that might pop up on ebay.

these days i run an SS "quiet" muffler i picked up 20 years ago here in aus.
originally for a bus. i reworked the inlet flanges for the 914. you have to cut them off and weld them back on upside down. thats all a 1.8 muffler is. a bus muffler with the inlet pipe flanges welded in upside down when compared to a bus or a 412.

thats a tip for you guys thinking of buying a standard dansk repro muffler.
most listings for the dansk have a rrp almost twice as much for the 914 item as the bus item. if you are handy with a welder and a grinder you know what to do. but it won't change the sound. which you either like or you don't.

......leaves you with one choice - get a custom ss sport muffler.

there is a mob in south east asia making them if i remember right. forget the name of the company. would have to look them up. but i think they made a muffler that could be fitted to the 914 4 cylinder.

[wonkipop]

That's awesome.

I found another 914 owner that was upgrading and gave him a couple cases of ipa for his Ansa. The Ansa is expensive new but man does it sound good and breathe well. I do like the single outlet look though. Maybe a bigger diameter out on the original banana? I assume 1.8s have a banana.

no (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mueba.gif) on a 1,8 mate.

see post above. literally is a bus muffler with a small difference.

[Brian Fuerbach]

I have a 1.8 and bought the car with a 2.0 Bursch exhaust system intalled. I wanted to try the stock repro Dansk just for an original look but could not stand the tinny sound. I switched back to the Bursch. Love the deep sound. Looking to get the new stainless version that was just released.

[wonkipop]

I have a 1.8 and bought the car with a 2.0 Bursch exhaust system intalled. I wanted to try the stock repro Dansk just for an original look but could not stand the tinny sound. I switched back to the Bursch. Love the deep sound. Looking to get the new stainless version that was just released.

i hope you got that dansk for a good price mate!


EDIT.
this is the mob in S E Asia i was thinking of but couldn't remember.
taiwan. pricey. don't know how good the product is durability wise.

https://store.vintagespeed.com.tw/914-1-7-1...stem-p180686509

system for a beetle is throaty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfMASr0iURo

[Jett]

These make any 914 sound different…

https://scart.com/en/home

[Brian Fuerbach]

I have a 1.8 and bought the car with a 2.0 Bursch exhaust system intalled. I wanted to try the stock repro Dansk just for an original look but could not stand the tinny sound. I switched back to the Bursch. Love the deep sound. Looking to get the new stainless version that was just released.

i hope you got that dansk for a good price mate!


EDIT.
this is the mob in S E Asia i was thinking of but couldn't remember.
taiwan. pricey. don't know how good the product is durability wise.

https://store.vintagespeed.com.tw/914-1-7-1...stem-p180686509

system for a beetle is throaty.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfMASr0iURo

Vintage speed could be an option but the dansk is out. I got a good deal on the dansk through ebay and sold it to Ian Karr a couple of years ago, and yes still lost money.

[Jett]

Scab your own

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) please fabricate some safe jack stands (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif). I love reading about and watching your work (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[gereed75]

The Skart on Matt's car from Sweden is the best sounding four ever IMHO.

[wonkipop]

I have a 1.8 and bought the car with a 2.0 Bursch exhaust system intalled. I wanted to try the stock repro Dansk just for an original look but could not stand the tinny sound. I switched back to the Bursch. Love the deep sound. Looking to get the new stainless version that was just released.

i hope you got that dansk for a good price mate!


EDIT.
this is the mob in S E Asia i was thinking of but couldn't remember.
taiwan. pricey. don't know how good the product is durability wise.

https://store.vintagespeed.com.tw/914-1-7-1...stem-p180686509

system for a beetle is throaty.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfMASr0iURo

Vintage speed could be an option but the dansk is out. I got a good deal on the dansk through ebay and sold it to Ian Karr a couple of years ago, and yes still lost money.

never seen a dansk up close and personal. suspect the metal they are fabricated out of might be thinner than originals back in 70s/80s?

"oem" one i have is a bus muffler i got hold of in the 90s and had been on a shelf for a while back then. folks liked sticking hot dog muffler systems on aus buses so no one wanted it. bonus = was stainless steel. not sure where it came from but think it might have been german made. with luck it might last me out. if i was in the market for a muffler i'd be taking a close look at the taiwan jobs. seem to be about $1000 aud from a vw specialist stockist here for the bus version - more or less identical. nice shape and it fits up into the same space as the factory system.

tail pipe diameter looks like it would give @Van B some satisfaction!
think i might have seen and heard one on a 356 i saw last year.
if it was it sounded good. had a bark to it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[falcor75]

The Skart on Matt's car from Sweden is the best sounding four ever IMHO.

Hey thanks !

here's a couple of unsolicted movie clips of it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLN51EwSGeY

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jGhv9PJUGRU

The Scart supersound is expensive but worth all the money. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Van B]

@wonkipop
I think the 914 exhaust leaves a lot on the table. And frankly, I’m disappointed that none of these exhaust shops have never taken a crack at a full system for the street. Maybe the market didn’t support it, but hopefully it will soon.

The firing order on this car and the unequal length primaries mean some crossover work is needed. But getting the length and pairing sorted will really change things.