4 into 1 Stainless Steel System Versus Vintage Speed Exhaust

VWHeritage exchanged the system without any trouble and Andy(vwh) reinforced what we already new; 4 into 1 is better than a collector type system. Very nice new set of gaskets from Scat.

 Much bigger bore than the old steel type systems, this UK build one is of good quality and the muffler is well polished.

 Used a standard household fire blanket to apply a layer of exhaust type wrap.

All fitted up with the usual tight corners for heater pipes etc, having to stretch to fit to my bigger engine but no problems at all. I cannot believe the difference in power produced the speed of rev build etc. I have yet to nip up all the bolts again once seated, re tune and balance the carbs, tweak the dissy etc. So in answer to Vintage Speed versus 4 into 1 SS quiet pack system the answer is clear, 4 into 1 provides performance increase and quality as to VSpeeds classic style.

Vintage Speed Failed Exhaust

 So I have been running daily a beautiful vintage speed exhaust, and over a period of 8 months I have blown the baffles out. I run a Type 2 with a 1600 race case, 76mm stroker crank, Engle 110 cam, 1776 barrels, 40 mm inlet valves and twin Weber 40s. So a good torque engine, but not crazy. The exhaust is rated to 125 bph and I recon brand new mine might have reached 95 bph, I now have 50,000 miles on this engine so she obviously runs sweet. I am amazed that I have destroyed such a "good exhaust" - the build quality is exceptional, and they fit perfectly.

 If you look into the inlets on both banks you can clearly see the snap in the laser cut stainless sheet.

I think this is a fundamental design weakness,  look how thin the joining section is to support the baffle. This quality piece of kit needs redesigning internally or the engine rating needs to be dropped. I would happily rate it myself now to 1776 / 1800 MAX.
So my friends I am afraid to say that I will returning my Vintage Speed to the good old boys at heritage under warranty, and I am not sure at this point as to whether or not I stick with the Vintage Speed.

VW Cargo Door Rebuild

 A very tired old cargo door.

 Cut away the inside section.

 Step edge and offer up new inner, trim to fit.

 Weld together.

 Remove outer skin and acid wash and prime inner new and old.

 Cut and trim and offered up, check check.

Jobs a good one, just the other one to do now.

Strip down stop motion

11 Months, 3000 pictures and a lot of coffee.: http://youtu.be/daVDrGsaDME

Split Screen Progression

 Panel punched and spot fill welded and tack welds to outer joint to prevent filler breaks.

 Outer skin, welds to panel joints to be ground back enough to layer seam sealer over (avoids splits to sealer later).

 Inner wheel arch tub repair plus inner C post and outer skin, complete with new Mexico split cargo door floor repair complete.

 Inner detail of closure panel.

 Inner wheel arch closure repair plus outer and inner B post repairs.

 Whole new arch.

 Cab floor repair, just front inner wheel tub edge to do on both sides.

How about a heater pipe that is not crushed and split???
This van is now a steel box and is starting to sound like one.

swimcro - for Darren

I love how annoyed the locals are as there's no money to be made pulling people out!!!

Split Screen Floor Repair.

 So both doors level with opening cargo doors after fitting all in one floor side repair section. B post repair fitted including outer sill support.

 Floor edge spot welded including floor cross sections.

 Rear wheel arch lower removed.

 Inner sill and jacking points all welded in, it starts to feel really solid now,,,,,almost tank like.

Rear wheel arch inner and outer, outer b post, inner wheel arch plate, front wheel arch both sides of cab floor finishing, a cross member and heater pipe, a load of  detail welds and we are done mate, with the shell at least!!

Meet The Franken Beetle!!

Scary stuff as I cut back through the layers of s**t to see some old rot and loads of ugly previous repairs, poor welding and untidy but good grade panels.

 Unpicked the old stitch weld.

 Not even but welded!!!

 So copper plate behind and fill welded the lot, bit by bit.

 Drilled out new weld holes as panel was only edge tacked. |Also pulled it all around to tidy fitments.

 Will need a little more panel beating here but much cleaner to start with.

 All panels stripped of paint then scoured surface, a wpanel wipe then some etch primer once dry.

 More additional welds added.

 Loads to do yet but starting to show potential.

Beetle Floor Pan Repair-DIY

 Small section just visible here, template from ccornflakes style box, beaten to fit then seam welded in. Meticulous attention to grinding required.

 Leading edge support repaired correct gauge....2mm.  Attention to detail even managed to press the step into this!!!

 Tacked and adjusted then seam welded-again correct 18 gauge-1.2mm.

Cleaned down and drilled. Better than any low quality pressing!!!!! Just takes bloody hours!!!

Front Top Hat

 Cut, clean, acid wash, primer.

 Including inner out rigger and jacking point.

 Cut and modify top hat repair section and treat.

Spot welded in floor drilled right through and welded to join, all weld cleaned up.

Rear Top Hat

 Top hat cut down, joggled and prepped.

 Old top hat cleaned up and jenolited again then painted.

 Spot welded and edge tacked in floor detail also prepped.

Floor patch in.