[Vwdiesel] Dumb Question

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

> The mid-80's diesels had a "swelling" in the exhaust pipe just aft the
>  engine, about 3" dia, and a bit more than a fot long. It was called a
>  "resonator".
>  It is NOT a catalytic converter. It is just an open piece of larger pipe.

  There's more to it than just a larger area of pipe.  It looks a lot like a
"glass pack" muffler (if you want to call them that)  ;-)  inside.  They
do more for sound than an equal size glass pack though.
>
>  That connected to the conventional muffler at the back of the car. I have
>  operated the 87 with a straight pipe from the engine to the muffler for
some
>  time with no detectable difference in sound.
>
  I recently had mine removed.  It was coming apart as well as the exhaust
having been misaligned by a previous fix.  It's much more brappy in the low
to mid rpm transition than before.  It's hardly noticeable inside the car
though.
It's enough to turn your head from the sidewalk though.
     Loren