'82 1.8 GTI manifold options?

Hi,

My exhaust appears to be blowing somewhere between the manifold and the mid section. Exhaust appears recent from midsection back, so was wondering what my options are?

The plan is to keep the car as standard as possible, but improve parts as required. Is a stainless 4-2-1 system the best option, or just a stainless 2-1 vertical? Any options on upgrading the standard cast manifold?

Thanks!

Anyone? I could do with getting parts ordered!

Other option is to buy a full stainless system in.c manifold and sell the barely used exhaust on it…

If you put a stainless four branch on it then make sure you wrap it up well as it will melt and possibly set fire to the steering boot between the rack and the column.

Unless your upping flow rates through the head significantly then it'll be a fairly punitive gain.

Post '83 cast manifolds to downpipe went away from the bolted joint to the spherical type with spring clips to help give more flex.

Other than that I can give you no advise on what to fit.

Anyone else like to chip in?
 

the OEM 6 bolt flange 4-2-1 systems flow better than the toilet bowl system I believe, they do on the mk2 at least!

as above unless you've done head work the aftermarket 4 branch systems wont offer much if any benefit.  the 4-2-1 systems tend to be better for lower end torque, 4-1 systems tend to be better for high rpm flow

I woudl try to track the source fo the leak before you spend money, as it may be a cheap or free fix if its just a loose pipe, clamp or bolt!

I had a bit of a mare when it came to replacing my exhaust as even when purchasing a full standard system from the same supplier the fiitment between sections were appalling. Initially I replaced the mid and rear section, I also did at that time the 6 bolt gasket from the front pipe to the manifold as that was blowing. It was all ok for a while but I soon found that the mid to front pipe was coming loose. Tried many things over time apart from welding it together, gave up and bought a full system. Didn't even fit this one as assembled it in my lounge to find that the difference in diameter between sections was about 8mm and no chance of it clamping up enough. I finally got a full standard system from euro car parts, klarius make. I decided to order and then collect it  from my local store and before paying assembled it in the shop which the guy was more than happy to help with, all sections fitted together very well and from memory was about £130. Fiitment to the car was fine, only small issue was that the tail pipe did not sit central to the cut out in the rear valence but I've sorted that and kind of expected a bit of adjustment from an aftermarket part. Good news though I have not had any blowing so I can recommend them if your going standard.

I've never had good results with Klarius for fit or quality and they don't do the correct back box for the 1.8 which differs to the 1.6.

If your going for replacing standard for standard then GSF do Bosal with the correct back box for the 1.8. (It should be oval as opposed to round and the tailpipe comes out at an angle but is straight along its length. The cabs have a bend in their tail pipes.) I think Bosal are as close to OEM as your going to get.