Hi all!

Just finally took the plunge and got a larger exhaust and magnaflow muffler put on my 2.8 SCL (which probably had a plugged cat). Has made a considerable difference to top speed (another 7-8 km/h), and made cruising at 105 even uphill or into the wind possible. Some rises where I would slow to 100 I can now do at 112. I think torque may have been helped more than hp.

The job cost $450 at ABC muffler, and the good folks at Outback Imports paid for $360 of that. To their credit, when I presented them with a stream of evidence that I got the van from them with a leaky exhaust in March, they agreed to bring it up to factory spec. So some good news there - the new owners appear to be stand-up guys, even when it comes to fixing problems from before they came on the scene.

They left the front pipe - the 18" that comes off the dump pipe, as it was in good shape and they did not want to charge me $250 for perhaps a 2% boost. The welding job was **** well nearly art. They noticed the hairline crack around the flange of the EGR pipe where it joins the dump pipe, and repaired it, without charging any extra. These guys seem to live to do exhaust work. I would be surprised if there was a better place in Alberta.

I also got the EGR valve blocked off today. Now I get to see if the improvements translate to higher fuel efficiency as well.

This van was fun even when it was pathetically slow, and now the speed is decent I just F---ing love it!!!!
When I imagine what it would be like with a turbo, it's just nuts!

Totally Stoked,

Pard o' Hiace

I got my Hiace from them too. They make sure the power train and critical stuff works. Did the muffler lower the noise? I don't know if it's me not being use to the diesel, but it would be nice if it was a bit more quiet at idle. Also when crusing pass 80 kmph. With what I read, I was worried about top speed, but my van can go 110 easy, and tops about 120 kmph for passing. I get about 10 liters per 100km at 100kmph or about 9 liters per 100 km at 95 kmph.

Overall, the Hiace is a great van.

I'm guessing you are in Montreal - I think the lower elevation makes a difference. The muffler makes it louder - it's a performance muffler, and the big exhaust makes for more noise. I would guess that the ways to make your van quieter are either to get a turbo (more power at lower RPM but rather pricey) or maybe get larger tires - higher speed at lower RPM, but at the cost of a little torque. If like me you got Yokahama 65's you might be able to go up to narrower 75's, as Zoochy has done and is happy about.

Is yours a Super Custom or a Super Custom Limited?

Cheers
-pard

What's the difference? I only know it's a 3L, extended long wheel base camper van. See attached picture. I'm based in Montreal, so the altitude is a bit lower.

The Super custom is lighter by 180 kg. Don't know if yours would be lighter than mine (which is a Super custom Limited). Is yours a standard or an automatic?
-Pard

My is an auto 4 speed. I checked the tires, and they are 75s. I'm be reseaching the noise and part of it is the rear differential gear whining above 80 kph. May need to be adjusted, be more annoying than anything else.

Hi Pard o'

Did this alteration also affect fuel efficiency? If so, how much?

Thanks,
PBS