Can someone clear this up for me. I have a 1.6 MK2 (J reg) and was told last week that I can fit an 8V GTI exhaust to the existing down pipe. Is this true? or do I need to change the downpipe?
you can either fit the gti system using a reducer to your existing downpipe or you can fit a 1.8 downpipe as its a bigger diameter and should slide onto your gti system no hassle
you have 3 options: 1. complete late 6 bolt GTI system inc manifold + downpipe 2. early 8v GTI/ 1.8 carb 'toilet bowl' downpipe, then 8v GTI system from front silencer back 3. fit a reducer The 1.8 carb front and rear silencers are the same as the GTI ones, only the back box is a single exit rather than twin. The very early GTIs had the same 'toilet bowl' downpipe as on the carby models.
the bit highlighted in bold is what is on my 1.6 though i have the twin exit backbox which seems to fit the big bumper really well
The option highlighted is what I have. I just dont have anyway of fitting it at the moment and most places wont fit anything that you dont buy in their garage! Is it easy to change the manifold or is it a bugger?
fraid so, theres sod all room down behind the engine, you may have to drop the subframe, whip head off or pull engine forward a tad. If you can split the manifold n downpipe it will help, but the 6bolters tend to shear the studs when you try to loosen em!
just be aware that the 1.6 doesnt have a rear silencer, the back box has an uber long pipe that connects to the front silencer, so you'll need at least a GTI rear silencer & back box, or the complete system from the front silencer back.
I have got the full system so hopefully i can get a reducer and get it fitted. This is what I have Downpipe Middle Section??? Backbox So All I need to do is fit the reducer to the middle section from the existing down pipe on my car now and not have to use the down pipe? That right?
yeah that'll work. in an ideal world you would get a gti manifold and fit that too, will give the best results, but not the end of the world if you dont!
I have got it.... but I dont have anyway of changing it at the moment. I will eventually get round to it but will fit this now for the time being!
taking manifolds is easy once you've done it 6 times inlet has to come off to get the exhaust off, all you need is a good mirror, 1/4 drive rachets and extensions then some hex bits, 6mm i think?? oh and a pillow as you'll be lay on that engine for 25 minutes!!
