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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: vwgti14 on 13 January 2010, 11:50

Title: Fitting 4 Branch manifold to 16v
Post by: vwgti14 on 13 January 2010, 11:50

Hi

What do you think are the chances to fit a 4 branch st.steel 4 branch manifold ?
I have access to a garage and with my brothers help, considering trying to fit it myself, would save more than £250 in garage labour.... But i have heard it is a pig to fit.
I have axle stand to get some space to come up from underneath.

Ive changed exhausts on mins, breaks etc and try to tackle most jobs, but has anybody changed the manifold ? any advice ? or leave it to a garage ? (money is tight ... january lol) so really want to fit it myself.
Thanks guys
Title: Re: Fitting 4 Branch manifold to 16v
Post by: Reasty on 13 January 2010, 11:56
The most common problem is that the studs snap off when you try to undo them,so id soak them in wd or have a heat gun to hand
I took my car to a vw tuning specialist when i had mine done and it did take nearly all day as there where issues with the studs breaking
so yeh it is a bit of a pig of a job and is xpensive to put it in the garage but i can assure you its worth the hassle of it all,ull see what i mean once its on there. :wink:
Title: Re: Fitting 4 Branch manifold to 16v
Post by: vwgti14 on 13 January 2010, 12:03

Thanks reasty :) what manifold did you get ?
Can not wait to see it fitted and hear the sound :) just want to clear the bad weather with the old system to make sure i do not damage the new one.
Title: Re: Fitting 4 Branch manifold to 16v
Post by: Reasty on 13 January 2010, 12:08
Ive got an ashley motorsport one,the torque at midrange revs is noticably better and yeh it does sound awesome!.
Title: Re: Fitting 4 Branch manifold to 16v
Post by: VeeDubGTI16v on 13 January 2010, 14:30
its getting the std one out thats the problem, it doesnt quite fit through the subframe to bulkhead gap
Title: Re: Fitting 4 Branch manifold to 16v
Post by: Hector-8 on 15 January 2010, 01:28
Your more than likely going to have to move the whole engine forward, just fitted mine the other week, biggest pain ever!!!
Title: Re: Fitting 4 Branch manifold to 16v
Post by: rubjonny on 15 January 2010, 08:49
on mine I split the downpipe from the manifold but still had to drop the subframe a bit to get tit out, damn resonator box!

You can just get some 4 branchers in with much fiddling with the engine in situ, but I guess it depends on the shape of it. if the subby is also still dropped a bit from the removal that would make things a bit easier
Title: Re: Fitting 4 Branch manifold to 16v
Post by: vwgti14 on 15 January 2010, 12:11

Thanks rubjonny .. manifold is ordered hopefully arrive next week, heat wrap also ordered with some stainless tie clips, ill get some pictures up once fitted.
I can not wait :) its a pain to pay out now, but it had been on my mind to do this mod for some time, and im planning to keep the car and month by month, when i can improve her.
I've found a garage in Milton Keynes, very VW friendly, guy loves mk2 and will do for worse case £230 but hopefully less, big worry is old exhaust studs, but the guy says KR units are generally ok, ill start coating them in wd-40 before hand. Just fingers crossed is not to many problems, but roll on, when it is fitted :)

Title: Re: Fitting 4 Branch manifold to 16v
Post by: vwgti14 on 22 January 2010, 13:30
Manifold fitted :) and gearbox linkage kit done at the same time.
Makes such a difference to the gearbox feel, very tight and positive, and the sound from the 4 branch manifold ... well worth the worry lol, great sound and feels really good to drive :) just need the weather to improve, give her a good clean and more driving :)
Title: Re: Fitting 4 Branch manifold to 16v
Post by: Reasty on 22 January 2010, 13:33
Glad you got it sorted mate,told you it would be worth the hassle!  :wink:
Title: Re: Fitting 4 Branch manifold to 16v
Post by: RWMT on 22 January 2010, 15:22
Hmmmmm...this post has got me hankering after a 4 branch manifold now.

Are they really worth the money and the hassle of fitting?  Do they make an actual measurable difference to performance, or does the improved noise only make it feel faster? :huh:
Title: Re: Fitting 4 Branch manifold to 16v
Post by: vwgti14 on 22 January 2010, 15:57

Hi RWMT, the money was £200 for the manifold from pro-tech of ebay .....really good fit and good quality manifold.
Then I decided against fitting myself...garage only charged £180 to fit and fit the gearbox linkage kit, so all in all not that expensive, and really makes a massive difference to the overall sound of the car, at idle and when driving :)
I dont feel that the car is much faster...but it does feel more free and revs easier, for sure i would do this mod again and wish i had done this sooner....I had a leaking downpipe for months, but was dreading the hassle...but now im happy it is done
Title: Re: Fitting 4 Branch manifold to 16v
Post by: georgenewman1 on 27 February 2010, 16:15
i fitted min e myself with a set os spanners and an axel stand, just removed the inlet plenum, and had someone under the car to guide it through for me, your knees will hurt tho from kneeling on the front x member all day trying to teiddle the nuts off of the rusted studs, loads of copper slip on reinstalation tho, bit smokey for the first few miles but if it ever needs doulg again will be easy hopefully,  :wink: