TheSamba.com :: View topic - Bugpack Merged Header and Muffler (REVIEW)

Fri Jul 08, 2011 9:12 pm

I'm posting this to let anyone interested that i was VERY pleased with the system. I read hundreds of posts before I made a purchase of a new merged header and muffler. I really wanted an A-1 but just couldn't afford it. I read that a few people had decent experiences with Bugpack so I gave it a chance. And expensive chance if it didn't fit though.

Anyway, I'm sure there are better exhaust systems out there, but it really fit well, the ceramic coating looks really good. The flanges are VERY thick, and even the "mondo" muffler fit perfectly.

I was pleasantly surprised, and thought I would pass along the info.

To all of you Bugpack "haters" out there, you all are entiled to your opinion, I'm sure it's not the best, and I'm sure someone will or want to type... "well jetskibob you got lucky!!" hahaha

Fri Jul 08, 2011 9:33 pm

Right on man. Ftr, I dont know too many that are unhappy with the bugpacl merged with fatboy . Im a happy user as well. A1 are nice systems, however I like the clearance a standard setup affords. At just about half the price amd readily available. Glad it worked out for u. Bugpack makes very decent parts.

Fri Jul 08, 2011 11:32 pm

I've run a Bugpack 1.75" ceramic-coated header for about four years and am very happy with it. Thick flanges, still looks almost new and good performance. I run an A1 Magnaflow muffler with it, from ACN. Some 12.9's in the quarter-mile in my heavy stock Beetle...

Fri Jul 08, 2011 11:57 pm

Do Bugpack headers have the 02 sensor bung option?

Sat Jul 09, 2011 6:53 am

Bugpack has always been a good company. I use lots of Bugpack parts. I will choose Bugpack over EMPI any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Bugpack makes a "Street Max" 1 5/8" header that you can use thermostate and heater box sled tins.

www.bugpack.com

Sat Jul 09, 2011 8:15 am

Thanks for the tip Dave.

I was looking for a header with just those characteristics.

Mon Jul 11, 2011 9:06 am

All of BUGPACK's exhaust systems are made in house right here in the USA!

Mon Jul 11, 2011 11:17 am

I think I got the EMPI version of the 1 3/8 collector exhaust and my brother, just recently, got the Bugpack version.

Mine was a pain in the ASS to install. I had to bend tubes and chase leaks around at every connection. Finally I extended one of the J tubes with some hardware from autozone. That fixed it.

My brother's, on the other hand, slipped right on. No problems AT ALL. I was quite jealous actually.

Mon Jul 11, 2011 12:17 pm

I went out and priced it up at my local parts house and it will fit the bill for me. I will be ordering one up this week for my engine.

:D

Mon Jul 11, 2011 1:56 pm

vwracerdave wrote: Bugpack makes a "Street Max" 1 5/8" header that you can use thermostate and heater box sled tins.

That's what I originally wanted to get... in the end it ended up being not much more to just go with the ceramic coated A-1 with J-tubes directly from Tiger though.

Mon Jul 11, 2011 8:16 pm

how much is the street max with tabs? i wonder if my dynomax muffler from cb will fit?

Mon Jul 11, 2011 9:44 pm

I priced out the tabbed version at my local shop at $184.

Not terrible.

Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:53 am

catbox wrote: I priced out the tabbed version at my local shop at $184.

I'm guessing that was raw and no muffler. Add on ceramic coating and a muffler (and don't forget the very limited muffler choices with the street max headers) and you're not far off from an A-1. Just saying...

Tue Jul 12, 2011 11:32 am

Does Bugpack make a 1.5" Streetmax header that fits an early Bay Window bus with the crossbar support? Ideally, I'd like a 1 1/2" extractor to run with 1 1/2" heater boxes that does not cost close to $1000 for the whole package.

Tue Jul 12, 2011 12:53 pm

Yes I had one on my 71 panel:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=148087&highlight=bugpack+street+max

Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:09 pm

Hey Vince, what was your impression of the Bugpack Streetmax header system? As I recall, you are running an A1 system now. Am I correct? If so, why did you change exhaust systems?

Thu Jul 14, 2011 12:45 am

I was very pleased with the street max header. Ran it with an A1 dynomax muffler with a relocated flange and it rocked. Had a few problems with cops here in France, so for my new 2074 engine I wanted a more hidden exhaust so I had Tiger make me one of the first stainless steel bay window sidewinder exhaust.

Loved the old school look of the dynomax muffler and the fact that not many bay window busses ran merged headers at this time. Was a lot answered about my exhaust here in France when I ran it back in 2006.

Just another thing because you're in USA (we do not ave ceramic coatings facilities in France), buy it raw and have it coated because the $50 ceramic coating as sold on new exhaust is very thin and it rusts, so buy the black version and have it coated the right way.

Thu Jul 14, 2011 3:30 pm

vince1 wrote: I was very pleased with the street max header. Ran it with an A1 dynomax muffler with a relocated flange and it rocked. Had a few problems with cops here in France, so for my new 2074 engine I wanted a more hidden exhaust so I had Tiger make me one of the first stainless steel bay window sidewinder exhaust.

Loved the old school look of the dynomax muffler and the fact that not many bay window busses ran merged headers at this time. Was a lot answered about my exhaust here in France when I ran it back in 2006.

Just another thing because you're in USA (we do not ave ceramic coatings facilities in France), buy it raw and have it coated because the $50 ceramic coating as sold on new exhaust is very thin and it rusts, so buy the black version and have it coated the right way.

why were you having problems with the cops? is performance exhaust illegal in france? thanks for the heads up about the ceramic. that was the direction is was headed anyway, but good to know. was your dynomax muffler like the one that cb sells?

Fri Jul 15, 2011 12:53 am

Yep in France you can't legally install hi perf parts... even if you swap your drum brakes for discs it's illegal... :roll:

The dynomax I bought is the standard dynomax made by Tiger @ A1 mufflers. Just had to relocate the flange because as this muffler is designed to follow the rear fender of a beetle, it will hit the engine support bar so you just have to cut the flange an weld it to follow the bus rear bumper...

http://www.vwparts.net/A1500M.html

Fri Jul 15, 2011 3:00 am

Hey Vince! Thanks for sending your feedback and pictures. You said the Police gave you problems with that exhaust. Was it because your bus was too loud?

Oh, and I almost forgot. Still a little late but, Happy Bastille Day! Vive la France!