Hi,

Just after some opinions and advice from out there.

I have a 71 Super with what appears to be a bog-stock 1600 single port engine in it (not sure why - like this when I bought it). It currently has a Zoom Tube on the stock muffler and a basic aftermarket air filter as modifications.

I am looking at making this my daily driver and while it goes fairly well now, I am looking at going dual carbs and one of those GT exhausts just to help it breath a bit better. I know this will not make it a race demon, I am simply after better daily "driveability". I am thinking the Weber ICT kit.

Do you think the dollars outlayed would make a significant difference to power/torque over the standard setup? Any advice from others with stock engines that have gone this way?

Thanks for your wise words!

yes - good idea

Have a read here

http://www.aircooled.net/vw-performance-easy-mods-bolt-on/ 

If you are thinking Monza GT - dont bother
If you are thinking the OEM VW GT exhaust - only if your stock is rooted.

the stock is actually pretty good

I would do the carbs first and go from there

Thanks Bizarre.

I didn't think I could go wrong with dual carbs!

I already had a read of the Aircooled article and that's why I thought the exhaust would be a better upgrade. The one I was thinking of is below.

Would I be better going for some small/mild extractors? The car is slightly lowered and has good wheels and tyres so I'm not afraid of a bit of a "grumble" from the exhaust!



[img]http://vwparts.aircooled.net/Tri-Mil-Hotdog-Muffler-VW-Beetle-and-Ghia-p/tri-mil-hotdog.htm[/img]

Yep stay away from the monza exhaust. Maybe go for something like a Vintage speed

Sorry for the rookie question - by Monza exhaust, you mean this one right?

Would something like this be better? The Vintagespeed are a bit pricey for a stocker...

the top one is a Tri-mill

I have heard good things about that one

This is the stay away Monza

Best exhaust on a budget is an empi or similar 1 3/8. The paint burns off straight away but who cares really. Use the single quiet pack muffler. Vintage speed is nice but serious $$$$ for no performance advantage, good quality though. If you haven't already bought the carbs I would consider kadrons. Simple and effective.

Here is more reading material for ya

http://www.vwtrendsweb.com/tech/0109vwt_volkswagen_exhaust_test/ 

Yep the second one you posted, get a ceramic coated one if looks worry you.

A header "should" have its collector the same as the firing order 1-4-3-2 (or 4-3-2-1)

The one above is 1-2-4-3 because it fits better

Again - dont discount a decent condition stock exhaust with some flared tips
Sounds OK and goes OK

Bizarre, thanks for the further reading. From the article, there appears to be little difference in the systems - on paper. I guess that since I have SP heads I want to try to utilise that torque so matching the carbs with the exhaust seems like a simple way to do it. I like the Tri-Mills because they use the original exhaust cut outs and I've heard some good things about them. How do you tell the firing order of headers???

SuperOwen, I've also heard good things about Kadrons but am having trouble finding info on them. Can you point me to a website or someone who stocks them?

Thanks heaps!

Try the Kaddie Shack (kaddieshack.com) or Low Bugget / Aj Simms (lowbugget.com) for tech info.

Cip1.com or any of the other big on line vw shops will have them new if you decide to go that way.

Yep..........used genuine Weber 34's on one of my motors, good step up from the standard carb, seem to be a better choice than a progressive.
BTW bought a centre pull linkage kit for them, made 'em better still......

My .02c (and that's about what it's worth!).
If it's driveability you want, and just a bit more poke from a daily driver, the dual ICts will give you a bit more stick, but grunt per cost is a bit high. Dual carbs are normally the LAST thing I would do on a daily driver.
CB centrebranch manifold will add 1/2 the dual carb output, but still with the stock Solex 34pict........
http://www.cbperformance.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=3151 
Get a SVDA dizzy, no more power, but excellent response and driveability (especially with the Solex).........
http://vwparts.aircooled.net/Aircooled-Net-SVDA-Distributor-p/acn-svda.htm  ........there are cheaper options around if you prefer.
The Trimil 2-tip has the same output as a SQP 1.3/8 4into1, fits easier, and works well, I agree with the firing order being technically incorrect, but who cares when it fits easy and works. The stock muffler with 1.3/8" tips will damn near equal it's performance though.
If your cam is stock, try high ratio rockers.

All of these together are cheaper than dual ICTs, and make a bunch more grunt.

A 1600 with cheap exhaust, good centre manifold and Solex34, rockers and SVDA will scare the daylights out of a late V6 Commode (for the first 100m!), drive with EFI-like response, and get 40mpg on trips, done these builds a few times. Really nice street setup.

Or if you like the glitter and sound from dual ICTs, I rekn that's good enough reason to get them too!

Be carefull of fitting a vintage speed exhaust as it will be to big for your engine, i have on on a 1776 with some head work, engle cam and dual webbers, i would not fit one to a smaller engine as it will probably reduce the drivability of it.