Hi. I've got a 1964 Beetle and a rather steep driveway. The engine is a modified 1641cc.
Its so steep that I invariably scrap my exhaust pipes going up the driveway. I've wrecked 3 exhaust systems over the last 10 years on it. Now I've broken one of the pipes recently and instead of welding it back I was thinking of replacing the whole assembly with a more modern exhaust system - but is there one which will be better for steep driveways? (Don't ask me to move houses 🙂
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Owner of a 1964 VW Beetle, 1641cc engine, etc..
I have a vintage speed exhaust on my convertable and a A1 copy on the ghia, the exhaust on the ghia is higher and has more clearence. be carefull about the size of the exhaust you but, if it's to large for your engine size the drivability will suffer.
vwo60 wrote:I have a vintage speed exhaust on my convertable and a A1 copy on the ghia, the exhaust on the ghia is higher and has more clearence. be carefull about the size of the exhaust you but, if it's to large for your engine size the drivability will suffer.
I LOVE YOUR GHIA!!!!! Have you got more photos of it to show??
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Owner of a 1964 VW Beetle, 1641cc engine, etc..
Have you tryed building a small bridge ( say 1metre long ) at the bottom of the driveway so it takes some of the angle out also still flows wast water?
toey1984 wrote:Have you tryed building a small bridge ( say 1metre long ) at the bottom of the driveway so it takes some of the angle out also still flows wast water?
No, because the driveway also includes the public walkway/ footpath and I can't build a permanent bridge over that.
The only way I can think of is to construct a folding metal plank bridge screwed into my driveway which extends pass the footpath and one which I can fold back after I drive into my garage.
The problem with the driveway is only with the Beetle and my old Volvo - cars like the Mazda3 and new Mini have no problems with it.
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Owner of a 1964 VW Beetle, 1641cc engine, etc..
vwo60 wrote:I have a vintage speed exhaust on my convertable and a A1 copy on the ghia, the exhaust on the ghia is higher and has more clearence. be carefull about the size of the exhaust you but, if it's to large for your engine size the drivability will suffer.
Where can I purchase "vintage speed exhaust"? or "A1" ?
I'm currently using a stock muffler.
My engine is a 1641CC.
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Owner of a 1964 VW Beetle, 1641cc engine, etc..
The vintage speed will be draging it's arse, if the engine in your car is standard they both will be to big, the standard exhaust shown in your photo's is probably the smallest option.
tar76 wrote:I think any type exhaust will scrape there, man that's steep.
Sometimes if I angle it right, my exhaust don't touch the ground. Right now, its slightly brushing against the ground. What I don't want is for it to gorge holes. Once I used a quiet muffler flanged where the exhaust came out in the middle - and that proved impossible to drive up the garage without some damage.
I thought maybe the GT Exhaust system might be a good option.
That driveway is ridiculous. Almost all modern cars would scrape up there, let alone the poor Beetle. What you need there is a car with really short overhangs, like an old Mini.
waveman1500 wrote:That driveway is ridiculous. Almost all modern cars would scrape up there, let alone the poor Beetle. What you need there is a car with really short overhangs, like an old Mini.
The driveways in my court are really crazy - its got really odd angles.
However, the new Mini can drive up there no problem. I think the Mazda series also has no problems.
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Owner of a 1964 VW Beetle, 1641cc engine, etc..
Don't Baja that. I'ts too cool, but get yourself a nice basic Baja that's not too radical and you will still have a DAKDAK and the problem will be solved.
It looks like you would have that problem no matter where you live in that street.
I have the sidewinder on my car with no probs with ground clearance.............as for doing the tappets, well it takes all of 3mins to remove the muffler, so there's no big deal.
something like this would suit; it's a little neater than the stock muffler and has shorter pipes so won't hang out the back as much.
I've used one of these since 2004 on my bug in mild steel and now stainless and you've got to be trying to scrape it to make it happen! I never scraped with the stock muffler either but your driveway is a biatch 😵💫
