New exhaust sytem

Lots of options.  Most Vintage Speedsters are equipped with an AC Industries TriMil dual tip exhaust that has a good amount of ground clearance and will allow you to drop the rear of the car probably 4 to 6 inches where the car sits level.  You can get these from SoCal Imports as one source.  The A1 Sidewinder is another option that will also provide good ground clearance and performance, though more costly than the TriMill.  Each has its own advantages.  That's the beauty of these cars, the ability to modify according to one's own tastes and preferences.

 

Grant

       
       

"Lots of options"

That's a problem all it's own. Takes me forever to make a decision.

If you're looking for the most power out of it, the sidewinder is the best option. It tucks out of the way nicely and doesn't look like a VW exhaust. If not, then whatever suits your fancy. Al

So the sidewinder for a bug is what I need?

Hello Gary,

 

I ordered the A1 Sidewinder for a Speedster Replica.  Fits great.

Ted

Loved my a1 sidewinder and I did the additional race bullet exhaust so co could switch out to something even more aggressive!

Vintage Speed also makes a nice exhaust system for our cars.

 

I would venture to say that A1 Sidewinders are the most popular exhaust upgrade here.   I know that I like mine.

keep in mind that the exhaust needs to match your motor. The exhaust system may look cool but not the most efficent for your motor combo. If you have a stock motor with dual carbs I would save the money until your ready to upgrade the motor. The sidewinder from tiger at A1 comes with or without heater boxes, plated or black, and in 1 1/2 and 1 5/8 tube dia.

if you order one there are a few muffler options. order it with the O2 bung and with band clamp at the collector. It makes adjusting the valves easier

your other option is a vintage speed muffler. They have two models stock or mild motor and  a high flow

So, Anthony, I'm confused.  I have a 1641cc, with dual carbs. I'm not sure what exhaust/header/muffler I have.  I would hope to put in a new engine  approx. 1900+ cc plus.  Are you suggesting I wait to change out the exhaust / header system until I have  the new motor, etc. decided / installed ??

 

Thanks for your help!!

Any manufacture names come to mind regarding A1 Sidewinders made specifically for the VS cars? I like my TriMil, but performance isn't there.

Technically there is only one "A1Sidewinder". Tiger Vasquez originated the design out of his shop. Search here on the site and you will find his info.

Ted

Sorry for the confusion. Your 1641 most likely would run fine with a 1-3/8 tube exhaust system. The next up grade is a 1-1/2 and next is 1-5/8. Most speedster motors do fine with a 1-1/2 tube. If you have a 2180 and up I go with the 1-5/8 or larger. All this depends on the engine components. Ported heads, camshaft, compression ratio and carbs.  when you begin to build that new motor I would look at getting the exhaust then. Putting a larger than stock or 1-3/8" header on that 1641 would take some of the low end out of the.Motor.

if you need to discuss building the motor you can contact me.

anthonysracingcomponents@sbcglobal.net

When looking at what size exhaust is correct for an engine, both peak rpm's and displacement figure into the decision. Tubing that is too large will affect both bottom end/midrange and around-town mileage, while too small will limit top end power and peak rpm. When you build that new engine, Tiger's A1 merged collector Sidewinder is a quality piece, and can be tailored to what you need. He even has a Speedster specific model. 

Header tubing size guide-

 

 

Just spent some time searching for A-1 Sidewinder exhaust systems...WOW are they proud of them! header assembly, powder coated, no muffler $229+...add in another couple hundred for muffler.

 

My '55 Chevy with full length headers and complete 2.5'' custom made exhaust w/dyno-flow mufflers was only $500...

 

Sticker shock here 

Welcome to the madness, G.R. Nothin' cheap about it.

Love my A1 on my 2110. Had my motor rebuilt and Tiger matched the exhaust system.

There are others making good quality "sidewinders" in the mid $500.'s Check the Samba.

You have to pay to play.

You could buy a knock off, but I was happy to pay Tiger for the design HE created.

Guess it was just a shock I wasn't expecting them to be so expensive...probably goes back to my memory of spending around a hundred bucks for tuned exhaust systems for the Manx and Baja bug...

 

Want it to run right and look good

A word caution.  There are many exhaust systems sold by VW after market shops that call themselves "A1" or "Sidewinder," but the "A1 Sidewinder" header that I believe most of us are referring to is the one from A1 Muffler in Santa Ana, Calif..  The owner of A1 Muffler is Manual "Tiger" Vasquez and the phone number for A1 Muffler is (714) 836-7201.  Here is a link to an article about him.  http://www.ocregister.com/articles/vasquez-518817-tiger-says.html

I'm sure that the other "Sidewinders" will fit type 1 VW engines, but the question is, will they fit in our Speedsters?  Maybe, maybe not.

 

Yes his site was one I visited and from the info here his system seems to be the best on the market.

 

Question? when calling him to order an exhaust system what exactly will I need to tell him other than it'll be for a Speedster? I know the engine is 1905cc, has an Engle cam, 30mm lifters, Mahle 94 piston/sleeve. Cam is on the mild side not a lot of 'thumpity, thumpity' at idle associated with a cammed engine, dual Webers, though not sure of the size until the car gets here(no info in the paperwork)

 

The car is quick though I never got a chance to get it up over 60 when I test drove it...

As Troy said, A1 has a Sidewinder specific to Speedsters. Different tubing sizes for different engines, choice of mild steel or stainless, with or without heater boxes, a couple of different tail pipe arrangements and he will even build it stepped for better power throughout the rpm range ($80). Aircooled.net has it online- http://vwparts.aircooled.net/A...w112-sw158-sw134.htm 

Click on the "Vehicle Application" box for the Speedster option.

Al.

That Sidewinder header from Aircooled looks like a nice one, but are you sure it was actually made by Tiger or is it made by A1 Racing?  It's one of the ones that I was questioning.  Like I said, it looks like a nice one and the site specifically lists a Speedster option.

I've heard John Connolly mention before (last spring?) on the Samba that exhausts from Tiger (I'm pretty sure he used Tiger's name) were back ordered in a conversation about slow service from A1, so I'm reasonably sure that's where they come from. I knew there were a couple of other places building the sidewinder design but had never heard of A1 Racing. If I hear anything to the contrary I'll let you (and everyone else here) know.

When I ordered mine from Tiger back in March/April of this year - there was a 2 week wait from the ceramic coating process. I went into the whole deal with the understanding that it would take a bit to get it. 

 

The best way to make sure you are getting an original A1 Sidewinder is to call Tiger at his shop and order it directly from him. You can also ask if the A1 Performance header on Aircooled.net is one of his. The stickers and medallion shown on the headers look like his logo.

 

I called Tiger directly and explained what car I had and what motor I have.  I let Tiger make the recommendation. I have a 1.5" merged header because I only run a 1600. Some guys who run the bigger motors go with the larger header size.  As luck would have it, this exhaust will also work on my 1915.

 

http://genuinea1.com/

Address: 721 S Main St

Phone: 714-836-7201

Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Mon – Fri ; 8 – 11 a.m. on Saturdays

 

Great stuff fits directly no issues at all.

 

Ted

Although it's a little big (a 1 3/8" header will run to 6,000 rpm on a 1600), the 1 1/2" tubes work on a 1600 street car just fine. If mileage was a huge concern or it was a baja bug with bigger tires then you might notice the slightly softer bottom end, but in a street car, while not optimal, it still works. I'm sure you don't spend a lot of time putting around below 2,000rpm anyways...

 

And you're right, Ted; it will be the perfect size for the 1915.

 To Al's point - My 1600 wasn't 'stock'. I'm running dual Kadrons, SVDA, and the header. I was going to run 1.5:1 ratio rockers but never got around to installing them.  Maybe on the 1915.

 

Ted

Dang! This is a long thread on A-1 Sidewinders. 

 

Here is a visual/audio reference for Tiger's A-1 Sidewinder. Nice aggressive sound on acceleration and subdued sound at cruising speed.

 

NOTE: If you are fortunate to have Tiger install your system at his shop, he custom installs for optimal fit and clearances. When ordered off the shelf for shipping, Tiger builds in clearance variances for the multitude of clearance variances of these cars.

 

Picture below shows my new VS (on right) and my buddy Dutch (Rene) IM. Both with same A-1 Sidewinder. Rene had his installed at Tiger's shop in Santa Ana, mine was ordered and installed by Vintage Speedster. As you can see, Rene's shop installed system is tucked away nicely. My off the shelf system hangs noticeably lower.

 

Hope you find this info helpful. 

 

If you ever put the 1600 back in the car, I'd love to hear your before/after observations about the rockers. This is the perfect example of where bolt-on equipment can really change a 1600. And they'll work great on the 1915 (depending on the cam).

Jim, are you using the waterproof case or open back on the GoPro?

 

Hey Bill! For a more direct sound reproduction of this clip, I attached (small bungee cord) a small digital recorder (size of Bic cigarette lighter) to my rear bumper above the exhaust pipe. I then synched the recorded sound into the GoPro video. 

Engle 120 with big 40x35.5 heads and dual springs...  Not sure if I want to do the ratio rockers as I'd like to prolong the valve train from extra ware. Maybe ditch the chromoly push rods and do the ratio rockers at the same time?

 

Different thread maybe?

Ted

Ted,

 

I'm not sure what you mean by "ratio rockers". Most guys refer to 1.4 or 1.5 rockers as "Ratio rockers", and the 120 is not designed for them. If it is 1.25 rockers you are considering, I'd say-- yes, by all means do it.

 

As for the pushrods, I know there are going to be some disagreements on this, but I think any AL pushrod is a step back from a good (Manton) cro-mo steel pushrod. I'd absolutely keep what you've got there.