Dual downpipe conversion on A2

Two quick replies;

- You'll want to presoak the manifold's nuts and studs (not w/ WD40 but a true penatrant) prior to removal because due to galling they can be a bear to get out.

- The downpipe hitting the steering rack might well be due to worm/collapsed motor mounts. On an 86 GTI I would look to replace them, partly based on pure age but also as a preventative measure to protect the longevity of the new exhaust parts going in.

hth, TBerk

Could also be due to a different engine being installed? I know on my '82, w/ a 1.9 diesel engine, the 10mm taller block raises the exhaust up the same amount, causing it to hit the steering rack brackets with the stock 1.6D plumbing. My fix was to get a tall block dual downpipe from Techtonics Tuning, its built with the added height to clear the rack. Another option is to make up a spacer for the gap between the manifold and downpipe. Not too difficult a machining job, but you'll likely need to install longer studs to compensate.

I agree. The A2 has only one dual downpipe shape that I know of. I did this conversion on my '91 GTI and had no issues once everything was installed however it is a tight fit under there. I agree that the motor mounts are probably bad.

Sounds like the opposite problem from what I have. The downpipe is on top of the steering rack, so it need to be raised a bit, not lowered.

And this has the original 1.8 RD engine, so the others guys thoughts of worn motor mounts could be the problem.

Thanks Ed

I wasn't really planning on removing the manifold again unless absolutely necessary. I've only had it back together for about a month, and I used new studs and nuts with a good amount of anti-seize, so hopefully if I do have to, I won't have any problems.

Bad motor mounts didn't occur to me. I'll look into that. Is there any easy way to check them, or is it just as easy to replace and see what happens.

Thanks Ed

Just wanted to post an update so it's archived.

I changed the motor mounts and tranny mount and it did fix the problem. Those old mounts were really bad, dry rotted and cracked. I now can feel very little vibration from the engine. It almost feels like a different car. Well worth the small investment of time and money.

Ed

MrEddy wrote:

seemed to go

shouldn't

So this also solved your downpipe clearance issue too?

This did solve the clearance problem. There's now about .5" between the downpipe and steering rack. So far I've not had any problems with the pipe hitting the rack.

Ed