Looks like the Golf has finally bitten me in the arse after a lot of relatively trouble free motoring.
I decided to change the exhaust and cat over myself a few days before we were due to drive down to Weymouth for a holiday after my mate ramps were busy for the foreseeable future due to stripping his dad's Cortina down. This is where my nightmare began.
The exhaust came off fairly easy so I turned my attention to the decat and the nuts holding it to the turbo. Within 10 mins this was the progress or lack of

So I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. I decided to pull the turbo out and take it to work to get the studs out. After a bit of oxyacetalene treatment all the studs were out

I ordered new gaskets and studs and booked the day off work to get it done. It was all complete the day before we were due to go so all was well. It was also a chance to fit my modified manifold.
On the way I could hear a horrible "chattering" noise when the turbo was working so I had to do the whole trip off boost. Not very entertaining but great for fuel economy.
My only explanation for this noise is the oil feed to the turbo being restricted somehow. Unfortunately due to being on holiday I can't check anything so I'll have to wait until I get home at the weekend. I'm hoping the turbo isn't badly damaged but we'll see.
While the exhaust was off I thought it would be good to fit my B&M copy short shift kit. Relatively easy, and gives some good results. Just need to replace the heavy stainless knob with something a bit more pleasing to the eye and a bit warmer lol
