R-Tec Installed Stainless Exhaust System

[EvilKeg]

Hey peeps..

About six months(ish) ago I had a stainless exhaust system installed by R-Tec in Herts. They also replaced the front box for me and it has gone twice now, and it looks to a solid pipe system from the engine to the boot.

I've not taken it back (for the second time) yet as I had it independently checked by two mechanics and a separate exhaust specialist down in Maidstone, Kent. They seem to think that the engine mounts are fine and that the front pipe is wrongly fitted it does not have any springs/shock absorbers at the front or that it needs a flexible pipe to connect it to the rear box. The last time I took it in I had to pay them another 200 odd quid for the new pipe, on the off-chance that they'll be refunding me the money if it turns out to be a fault with the pipe. I wanna make sure I'm right before I go back tbh..

Can anyone here tell me if this info is correct? R-Tec were recommended to me and I am beginning to feel a little embarrassed taking my old girl in there with all their nice Range Rovers etc parked outside

PS It's a 16v'er

[Ben Lessani]

The only flexi fitting on a MK2 exhaust is on the mani> downpipe union. After that you have your centre pipe, mid box and rear silencer.

Depending on the exhaust it might be sleeve fitted throughout or interlocking. Either way, the exhaust is very likely to work its way loose, it's just a matter of time.

I've got a solid front mount and interlocking setup and I still need to rejig it every 6 months or so. I did have a couple of spot welds previously which held it perfect - something I would recommend you ask them to do.

Failing that, weld some pins on the pipes and fit tension springs either side to hold the unions together. Or just drill a small hole through the union sections and pop a bolt through.

[EvilKeg]

The only flexi fitting on a MK2 exhaust is on the mani> downpipe union. After that you have your centre pipe, mid box and rear silencer.

I dont have any flexi at all, it appears to be solid pipe from the engine all the way thru to the boot... Surely this can't be right

[Thom89]

In all honesty mate, take the car back to R-Tec, before discussing a problem such as this on a public forum, your problem could be absolutely anything from a worn engine mounting to a misaligned bracket, give them a chance to fix it first, the VW grapevine stretches far and wide....
Tom

[EvilKeg]

In all honesty mate, take the car back to R-Tech, before discussing a problem such as this on a public forum, your problem could be absolutely anything from a worn engine mounting to a misaligned bracket, give them a chance to fix it first, the VW grapevine stretches far and wide....
Tom

I know mate... I'm not saying that I've had bad service or anything, just that I needed some confirmation as to how the pipe's are normally set up or configured. I figured that if I could do my research before going back and looking like an idiot it was better this way! I know f-ck all about cars, and would never claim to!

I'd like to re-itterate, they've been great so far, I just was hoping for some re-assurance or confirmation as to how others have had their set up either there or elsewhere

I only mentioned their name, on the chance that someone here has used them and perhaps could take a look at theirs and tell me how theirs is set up..

Ta

Keg

[Thom89]

No worries, just didn't want you to get burnt...
Tom

[Village Idiots]

AS Ben says, the only flex in the standard system is on the connection between the manifold and the downpipe, which is not obvious. The method of fixing with the C clips allows movement.

[Diamond Hell]

On GTIs there is normally a flex joint under the manifold.  This allows the engine to pivot forwards and backwards on it's mounts without fracturing the exhaust, which will only want to move back and forwards, really.

By fitting a solid system front to back you are removing the capacity for the engine to move independently to the exhaust.  If you do this then your exhaust will surely fail over time due to metal fatigue.

Sounds like bad design to me.  When I built DannyP's tubular manifold I fitted a flexi joint to it for just this reason.

Maybe you should fit a standard downpipe and then join it to the rest of this fandango aftermarket system you have.  Unless your system has a tubular manifold they haven't addressed a large restriction in the system anyway.

[EvilKeg]

Thanks for the comments guys... I'll pop in and speak to them tomorrow! I'm sure it'll all be fine!