GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Larrychips on 08 June 2009, 14:14
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I'm an the owner of a 1997 Mk3 Golf GTi 8v. Been doing some reading up here on how to extract a little bit more performance out of my 8v...changed the panel filter for a K&N one + drilled the airbox. Next I wanted to get a 4-2-1 Stainless steel exhaust manifold. I found one on eBay, being sold by a German company...so I bought it. Once it arrived I took my car down to a local garage to get it fitted...and guess what, it would not fit. The four pipes that connect to the head were quite badly out of alignment...he still charged me full price as he still had to get the old mainfold off and fit the new one, taking the whole top of the engine apart...only to refit the original one. Bummer...
So...I sent that manifold back and made this German company send me a new one. When the new one arrived, being wiser this time, I used a gasket (Bought from VW that week for the AGG engine) as a guide. The new one was even worse...the 4 pipes that connect to the head were completely out, some as much as 3/4 of an inch. Accepting defeat, I sent both of these manifolds back to get a refund.
I found a different company on eBay, also from Germany, that were selling a manifold for my car. After I got the money back from the 1st company, I bought it. To cut a long story short, it also does not fit however it was alot closer than the 1st 2 I tried. I took it to several local metalworking companies, most of which didn't want to even look at it...found one that would, and he's quoted me 300quid to put it right. No ways I am paying 300 pounds to get it bent right, it only cost 170.
Now... here comes the question: Where on earth do I get hold of a manifold for a 1997 Mk3 Golf 2.0 Gti 8v (AGG) locally...THAT FITS MY CAR? Is there anywhere in or around London that makes or sells these?
-> I know alot of you will be thinking that I should just save my money, sell my 8v and buy a VR6 if I want performance...I plan to do that towards the end of this year, when I have the funds...
Any info or advice would be appreciated,
Thanks,
Laurence
Below is a picture of the 1st Manifold I bought...
(http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/2471/manifoldproblem1.jpg) (http://img141.imageshack.us/my.php?image=manifoldproblem1.jpg)
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Larry,
sorry to hear about your bad luck with these German sellers. I used a company called Customer Chrome which are local to me in Nuneaton and had one made for me which cost near £150, I have been using them for years so got it cheap. Give them a try and see what quote they give you, always knock the price down as they will hagle for a bit of business!
her's a link:
http://www.custom-chrome.co.uk/
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They are for LHD cars mate.
The company themselves are very good for what they make, coilovers etc. But i have heard that the 8v manifolds are for LHD 8vs, which makes all the difference. But the VR6 manifolds are ok for uk spec cars.
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I bought mine from ebay! Sorry I cant remember the name of the shop and it was a while ago so the details arent on My eBay page but, I remember it was a Belgiun (sp) company and fitted a treat! Glad it did now as I did the work myself and your story made me realise I just took it for granted and didnt check it first :shocked:. I'll try and find out if they are still around and post a link!
Pete :smiley:
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Come to think of it, the 1st German company did not state on their eBay add weather it was for a LHD or RHD model. However the 2nd eBay add clearly stated it was for a RHD mk3...I even emailed him to confirm it would fit my UK spec mk3 before I bought it.
I've had a look at http://www.custom-chrome.co.uk, there is nothing on their website about manifolds...just "cat-back" stuff. Should I give them a call to ask about manifolds?
Thanks for your replies...
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http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Supersprint-VW-Golf-Mk3-8V-GTi-Manifold_W0QQitemZ220427675790QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item335283688e&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1683|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50
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http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Supersprint-VW-Golf-Mk3-8V-GTi-Manifold_W0QQitemZ220427675790QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item335283688e&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1683|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50
That does look the business...I am just a bit weary of buying one off eBay again. Had a look though his feedback, all positive...however not one of them have bought this part. I would also like to wait until I get my money back from this latest pipe-work paper-weight...
Surely there must be a supplier in the UK that sells this?
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That is a supplier in the uk that sells them! lol.
And your buying performance parts for old old vag cars, hence why it all comes from germany mate.
And if you want to buy one from a company not on ebay, not that i know of any, expect to pay double, and some more probably. As it will more than likely have to be a one off custom job.
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Supersprint make one: http://www.supersprint.com/defaulteng.asp
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Ah...that eBay add you posted was for a Supersprint VW Golf Mk3 8V GTi Manifold. The picture he used on eBay is the same one from their site... I just wonder why he is selling it for half the RRP. Is it possible he's selling it cheaply as its a "factory reject" and wont fit...? I know I'm being a little pessimistic, but I don't want to be burnt again :embarassed:
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Supersprint make one: http://www.supersprint.com/defaulteng.asp
This is what i linked too above on ebay.
I doubt the german ones come out of the same factory tbh.
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Supersprint make one: http://www.supersprint.com/defaulteng.asp
This is what i linked too above on ebay.
I doubt the german ones come out of the same factory tbh.
Sorry missed that, genuine supersprint is top quality stuff.
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Gone out on a limb here and bought that Supersprint one you posted, Mikester. I hope it fits! It does say, "This is a new Supersprint exhaust manifold for a VW Mk3 Golf GTi 8V 95>"...so its the right part, on paper. Supersprint seem to be a good company, who supply a large range of exhaust parts for most cars... if this auction is indeed for a new one, there shouldn't be any issues. The seller does say I can return it should it not fit...
Also...this gasket I got... I bought it new direct from my local VW dealer. Made damn sure its for the right engine (mk3 2.0 GTI 8v AGG)...is it wise to use it as a guide to check the alignment of the bolt holes? I am not in a position to do the work myself unfortunately, as much as I want to...I don't have the tools or a ramp.
This Supersprint manifold should be delivered by the end of the week, I'll post back here with my findings. Thanks for that eBay link, and if there's any other advice you have...please let me know.
Thx,
Larrychips
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Im not 100% if the gasket should line up 100%, or if there is room for movement, but obviously not a lot.
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I was considering buying one of these last week, is this one of the ones you initially purchased Larry?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=270393084758 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=270393084758)
It's actually listed as been a RHD pipe plus it been 4-2-1 configuration with 2 joints rather than a solid 4-1 it has adaptability as well.
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Yes...that is the 2nd company I tried, although the picture has changed...the text is identical. That picture looks to as though the manifold is in 3 parts...the one I got was one piece. No clue if the picture is at all representative of the actual manifold they are selling though... I'd be weary of it if I was you. The 2 companies I used were called "Tunerstyle2009" & "Streetweartuning.de".
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Right ok, you mention another picture used....when I initially hunted through their listings they did actually have 2 different types showing, the 2 piece pipe i've linked to and the obviously what must have been the single piece one that you bought. I did think to myself when i saw the two types what was the reason behind it?
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I would just got for the supersprint one, and not bother with these foriegn ones.
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Janspeed also do a 4-2-1 manifold for the mk3 8v gti
Slightly more expensive though
http://www.potn.co.uk/p1402551.htm
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i bought one of ebay on my old 8v, cnt remember the company, but it fit straight on i dnt think they even mentioned if it was RHD or LHD
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If you want to confirm it is right before fitting just pick up a s/h std manifold.
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The nightmare continues!!!
I just received that Supersprint manifold, guess what....its a De-Cat one! I'm not willing to make an illegal modification my car...it's MOT is in a couple months anyway. I give up with these bloody manifolds, this is the 4th one I've bought! As I said in my original post, I'm gonna save my money and buy a VR6.
Thanks for your help guys,
Larry
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The nightmare continues!!!
I just received that Supersprint manifold, guess what....its a De-Cat one! I'm not willing to make an illegal modification my car...it's MOT is in a couple months anyway. I give up with these bloody manifolds, this is the 4th one I've bought! As I said in my original post, I'm gonna save my money and buy a VR6.
Thanks for your help guys,
Larry
Easy enough to modify it to include the cat.
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I don't know how it could be modified, the bottom part of it where the cat "should" be is 2 pipes...it only joins to 1 pipe right where the cat ends. I'm no metal working guru but it would cost quite a bit to get it professionally done. My philosophy is to buy the best model car you can afford, rather than spending heaps modifying a slower car.
VR6's are fairly cheap these days, and the increase in insurance premium is minimal. I'm looking for a nice one, preferably standard...in a dark color (black/blue/green) around 1800-2200 pounds....any leads? What do you think I can ask for my current 97 Mk3 Gti 8v in black...its in very good nick... ? I was hoping at least 1000.