Exhaust questions - 1.8t

[McDub]

I'm looking at a downpipe, and am thinking of perhaps buying a complete system and selling the cat back part of it, basically because i don't want my car to grab too much attention. I would like the exhaust note more audible because all i can hear is intake and engine noise, but i think i'd probably regret it...

Question is, if i get say the full apr 2.5" system and just use the downpipe w/high flow cat (yes i realise you can get the downpipe separetly), do i need to get any hardware to connect it to the stock turbo and stock exhaust (cat back)?

Also, how much would the installation costs be roughly for just a downpipe (with high flow cat)?
And how about installing the whole lot?

And this is probably a stupid question, but is welding required?

Thanks.

Oh and reccomended exhaust shops around lower north shore area, or castle hill area would be good too for when i need to get it done

[TazzyVR6]

I have a full 2.5" APR system and although I can't say that it is to loud or to quite (as it is not a unit of measurement!) all I can give is my opinion which is it could be louder! The previous owner of my car put the full system on but took the cat-back off because it was too loud for his wife (it was her car...), but I had it put back on after I purchased the car. Don't expect any gain in noise with just the downpipe, mine was quiet as a mouse until I got the cat-back put back on.

Fitting would cost maybe 2 hours labour (for an off the shelf exhaust system) I think mine took?. No welding required with the APR system, it all bolts together, comes with a turbo to downpipe gasket. If you just get the downpipe then you would need a 2.5" to 2.25"? adapter to fit it to the existing cat back, but the exhaust shop would have these, you shouldn't need to buy it yourself.

[alex g]

most downpipes will mate up to the cat back system, i fitted an ebay 3"(cat less) one a few weeks ago , just used the joiner from the original system.(check my a3 build)

i could help you out with fitting and fab if you want??

[Manaz]

Talk to Castle Hill Exhausts - they have a good reputation, and should be able to build something to suit your requirements.

[99gti]

Go and see Chris and Dale from Castle Hill Exhausts. They did all my pipe work. I think my 3" DP plus 100cell cat was $700 installed.

They do smick work to.

[Gravey]

As others have said a shop should be able to build something just as good, if not better, for cheaper than an after market product. I found the custom cat-back for my car to be about $500 cheaper than the Remus

[McDub]

thanks for the offers/reccomendations.

i think i'll still get the whole exhaust but just get the downpipe and cat installed.

though is it just me, or does the cat look quite small?

http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Golf_IV--1.8T/Exhaust/Turbo_Back/ES11921/

and for some reason, if you select the downpipe on it's own, you seem to get a different one:

http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Golf_IV--1.8T/Exhaust/Down_Pipe/ES6137/

don't understant that

[BI65ND]

thanks for the offers/reccomendations.

i think i'll still get the whole exhaust but just get the downpipe and cat installed.

though is it just me, or does the cat look quite small?

Volkswagen Golf IV 1.8T > Exhaust > Turbo Back > ES#11921 Turbo-Back Exhaust System, 2.5" Fully Polished - FE100006


and for some reason, if you select the downpipe on it's own, you seem to get a different one:

Volkswagen Golf IV 1.8T > Exhaust > Down Pipe > ES#6137 1.8T 2.5" Down-pipe - CD100001


don't understant that

ECS ones arent going to be any good. Theyre made for the LHD's. Apparently theres a difference in the downpipe, something to do with where it clears the drive shaft I think. Check out www.awesome-gti.co.uk theyve got a few different types, blue flame exhausts are on pretty big special too atm.

[dubai gti]

Guys,

As silly as it might sound, I fitted a 'cannon'-type rear muffler to my 3-door GTI(one of the few times my wife has questioned my sanity)......yes it did attract the police on one occassion, but remember in Dubai, the law states "no modifications" (unless you're a local!!) the sound was great, performance no different...but hey it cost about $100 and is probably not much more over here!!

Go for it !!!

[McDub]

ECS ones arent going to be any good. Theyre made for the LHD's. Apparently theres a difference in the downpipe, something to do with where it clears the drive shaft I think. Check out www.awesome-gti.co.uk theyve got a few different types, blue flame exhausts are on pretty big special too atm.

really, sounds strange. just as well i made this topic!
am getting a shipping quote from that place now, cheers

[TazzyVR6]

Yeah you have to be careful. I think the 2.5" APR but the 3" definatly doesn't. Check part numbers lots! But if it was me i'd just get a custom made 3" DP as it will be half the price then get a nice cat back.

[McDub]

Yeah you have to be careful. I think the 2.5" APR but the 3" definatly doesn't. Check part numbers lots! But if it was me i'd just get a custom made 3" DP as it will be half the price then get a nice cat back.

just checked here APR - High Performance Development for Audi, VW and Porsche Vehicles.
they only list the 2.5" one (which is probably why), and that is part number CD100001, which is the same as the 2.5" on ECS.
so yeah i'd say you're right about it. (as long as the downpipe in the full 2.5" system is the same as the one they sell individually)
Any way our friendly mods doing the group buy are gonna check it out for me.
And i'm gonna get the billy boat one (which is apparantly just the rebranded APR one without the markup), complete turbo back for USD$753+shipping+taxes+duties (am getting it in the group buy)

[TazzyVR6]

Yep. There certainly isn't anything wrong with buying of the shelf from america. I got my APR 2.5" cat back from ECS for $1000AU to the door compared to $2000AU from an Aus dealer. Luckily the APR 2.5" DP was already on my car when I bought it so I didn't need to buy one myself. I can vouch for ECS too, they happened to send me a 3" downpipe by mistake but they paid for the postage to get it back and get the right one sent back out to me.
You can't go wrong with a Billy Boat for that price!