914 Sport muffler?

[Mike Mulligan]

Has anyone run one of the 914 sport mufflers that has the two outlets toward the center of the car?

How does it compare to a Bursch as far as performance and noise are concerned? I've heard there's very little difference in power between the various systems on a stock 2.0, but that the sport is much louder than the others.

I have a line on a sport muffler for a pretty good price and I like the looks of it, but I don't want to loose any performance or annoy the neighbors!

Any opinions?

[Rouser]

When I purchased my '73 2.0L, it had a Sport "pickle" muffler (with chrome-sleeved twin VW-looking exits) installed by the P.O. He purchased it in a packaged deal along with dual 44mm Webers, a WEB-CAM "carb" cam, and "big-bore" pistons & cylinders.

I drove it equipped that way for a while and can only say I have mixed impressions. Yes, it IS louder than a stock system; way louder. I felt the sound was too VW-like, and WAY too Karmann Ghia-looking from the rear. It also tended to inherit hairline cracks around the center portion and outlets, if from its own weight and vibrations.

I bartered with a friend for his good-condition Monza exhaust (with the dual twin tips) when he converted to a Bursch single outlet system. After tuning the carbs a tad to the Monza system, I noticed the carbs definitely did not like the Sport Pickle. The 44's breath better with the Monza system, and I like the sound at idle; WAY nicer. But like any trade-off, the Monza system WILL sound off when you romp on it, but mellows back when you stay off the cam.

My suggestion? If you have a FI 914 or stock engine with dual 40mm Webers/Dellortos, the Bursch system is sweet; beautiful-sounding and neighbor-tolerant. If you have a carbed 914 with a mild cam and a respectful right foot, the Monza system is less restrictive and well-muffled. The sound still attracts chopped-down rice burners like flies on crap, but I deal with them on a case-by-case basis.

I have to admit, though, I "like" the sound of the Bursch system, if only because it's less intrusive; rice burners be damned.