First look at the Vintage Speed exhaust€”this thing is serious kit. Twice the thickness of my old exhaust.
The Problem With the Old Exhaust
The old exhaust was a performance exhaust, but it wasn't fitted correctly. Someone had randomly cut a small section from the area where it connected to the manifold. So it was always on the list to replace.
It was noisy. And I don't mean the good kind of throaty rumble that makes you smile€”I mean the annoying kind that gets old after ten minutes on the motorway. Plus, the fumes weren't great either. Not exactly confidence-inspiring when you're driving a 50-year-old camper van.
I knew it needed replacing. The trouble was... an upgrade to the Vintage Speed Sports exhaust †→ I wanted wasn't a cheap one.
The £600 Question
The best part of £600. That's what the Vintage Speed exhaust costs when you factor in all the bits and pieces.
I spent weeks researching. Reading forums. Watching videos. Asking in Facebook groups. Everyone had strong opinions. Some said it was worth every penny. Others said it was just for show.
But after doing plenty of research, I'd made my mind up. If I'm going to do this properly€”after everything else I've done on Jenny€”I'm not going to cheap out on the exhaust. I finally bit the bullet and decided to go for it.
The full system laid out€”you can see the quality immediately. Solid steel, thick brackets, proper German engineering.
When It Arrived: Absolute Beast
This is a serious bit of kit. When it turned up I was amazed with the quality€”it's an absolute beast.
So well made. The thickness of the steel is about twice what my old exhaust was. The brackets are solid. Everything feels premium. It feels great, it looks great... and I couldn't wait to hear what it sounded like once installed.
Why Vintage Speed?
After all the research, Vintage Speed kept coming up as the best option for VW Bay Windows. Here's why:
- Build quality: German-made, thick steel, proper welds
- Sound: Deep, throaty€”but not obnoxious
- Performance: Actually improves airflow (and power)
- Fitment: Designed specifically for Bay Windows
- Longevity: These things last decades
Installation in progress€”fitting the exhaust under Jenny. Pretty much a straight swap once you've got the old one off.
The Installation: Mostly Straightforward
It was pretty much a straight swap. The hardest part? Getting the old exhaust off€”decades of rust meant some of the bolts really didn't want to budge.
The Vintage Speed exhaust, though? Fitted like a glove. You just need to make sure you get the right heat riser connections for your specific van. There are a few different configurations, so double-check which one you need before ordering.
The Bumper Modification
The only slight issue was that I needed to modify the bumper a touch. Specifically, I had to cut away the towing section as it was in the way of the tailpipe.
But honestly? I don't do much towing anyway. And the exhaust looks brilliant coming out from under the bumper. Worth it.
The heat riser connections€”make sure you get the right ones for your van. This is important for proper fitment.
First Start: That Sound Though
When you start Jenny up now, it has a satisfying purr. And it is a lovely throaty sound€”proper VW camper rumble. The kind that makes you grin like an idiot.
But here's the thing: it's actually quieter than my old exhaust when I'm cruising at 55-60mph on the motorway. How's that for an upgrade?
At idle and low speeds, you get that beautiful deep tone. But at cruising speed? Smooth and refined. No drone. No headache-inducing noise. Just... nice.
Fitted and looking brilliant€”the quality is obvious even just looking at it under there.
The Performance Difference
This was one of the last jobs I did on Jenny€”after the full engine rebuild. So I wasn't really expecting much performance-wise. Surely the engine rebuild would have been the big gain, right?
Wrong. I have to say the difference was huge.
She's now buzzing up hills and down the motorway happier than ever. There's more power throughout the rev range. Throttle response is sharper. Overtaking is... well, still slow (it's a 50-year-old camper van), but noticeably better.
Combined with the Bilstein shocks I fitted earlier, Jenny now drives better than she probably ever has. The transformation is unbelievable.
Final installation€”the tailpipe sits perfectly under the bumper. Looks factory. Sounds amazing.
The "You Get What You Pay For" Lesson
This, along with the Bilstein shocks, has really convinced me: you get what you pay for.
I could have bought a cheap exhaust for £150. It probably would have lasted a few years, made a lot of noise, and not really improved anything.
Instead, I spent £600 on the Vintage Speed. It's quieter when cruising. Sounds better at idle. Performs noticeably better. Built to last decades. And honestly? It looks brilliant under there.
Was it worth £600? Absolutely. Would I do it again? Without hesitation.
Buy Once, Cry Once
It's the same lesson I learned with the Bilstein shocks, the 123 Ignition distributor, and now this exhaust: buy quality once, and you won't need to replace it again.
Cheap parts might save you money today, but they'll cost you more in the long run when you have to replace them (and lose performance in the meantime).
Final Thoughts
If you're considering upgrading your VW Bay Window exhaust, and you can stretch to the Vintage Speed †→, do it. You won't regret it.
Yes, it's expensive. But the quality, sound, performance, and longevity make it worth every penny. This is one of those upgrades where you genuinely feel like you got what you paid for.
Jenny sounds brilliant, drives better, and I can cruise at motorway speeds without that awful drone. What more could you want?
Useful Links
- Ÿ”§ Vintage Speed Exhaust (eBay UK) †→
- Ÿ“– Bilstein Shocks Upgrade - The other half of the transformation
- ⚙️ Engine Rebuild Guide - Where the journey began