*cheap* muffler, conversation (long)

[Fieldsj@uwwvax.uww.edu (Jerry Fields)]

It went something like this...

"Hey, Jer. You really need to do something about the Audi muffler. I'm
getting embarased to drive it." "Well, Hon, I've priced new rear mufflers
for a 5KCST, and they start at about $130.00, and I don't have $130.00 to
spend on a muffler." "Well, you better do something." OK, says I.
(Now on my back under the Audi...) Well, what do you know. The kick over
pipe isn't one piece with the muffler, as I though it was. This opens up
some possibilities. (Tug on the muffler, which promptly falls to the
ground.) This is in worse shape than I thought....
Hmmm, the kick over pipe looks like a standard size. Knock off the surface
rust and high spots....Hey! A 2 1/2 ID pipe would slip right on, since the
kick over pipe is 2 1/2 OD. "Hon, I'm off to Farm and Fleet to look at
mufflers."
(At counter, Farm and Fleet farm supply store in Janesville, Wisconsin)
"Can I help you?" "Yeah. I need a muffler." "What car?" "Custom exhaust
system, no particular car. I need something with a 2 1/2 inch ID inlet,
body about 24 inches long." (Rustle through catalog.) "I've got one that
will work. It is round, and has a 2 1/4 outlet. $15.00." "I'll take it, and
a 2 1/2 clamp." (On way out of store.) What am I going to do about rear
bracket that hooks to the 2 rubber donuts...that 1/4 inch rod gives me an
idea...
(Back home.) Take angle grinder, remove rust, high spots from kick over
pipe. New muffler slips right on. Great! Cut a length of 1/4 in round rod,
bend it into a horse shoe, bend the ears back at a 45 deg angle to go
through rings. First attempt...too long. Cut it back. Fits
perfectly...looks like muffler was designed for that application. Clamp the
muffler to kick over connection and I'm done.
"Well, Hon, I fixed the Audi muffler. Even with gas to get the parts, cost
less than $25.00. Quiet as new." "You going to tell the Audi group?" "Only
if they promise not to tell the Audi Gods that I'm running a $15.00 muffler
on my '87 5KCST."

Muffler, Crew Chief     1-220479        14.99
Clamp. 2 1/2            1-99312           .99
Rod, round, 1/4 x 6     1-65351          2.29
                                  Total:18.27
                                    Tax: 1.00 (5.5%)
                            Grand total:19.27


Jerry Fields

UW Whitewater, Whitewater, Wisconsin  USA
DoD #1697