Resonator Removal

[Pirelli_P]

Hi all,

During my lunch break I have stupidly browsed youtube and came across some videos where people with Mk5 GTI's have removed the resonator from their exhaust, the result sounding decent in my book! Obviously the first thing people are gonna say is buy a Milltek etc, but that isn't an option in the foreesable.

Example of said video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM1YAiVrKZ4&feature=related

Since I know absolutely nothing about technical stuff:

1. What is involved in removing the resonator?
2. Is it something i can do at home or is it a garage job?
3. Is it detramentle to the car/performance?
4. Would it affect warranty/insurance?

Thanks!
Paul

[WhiteGTI]

That just sounds like my standard exhaust in all honesty. Once mine is warm and coked up its pretty loud for a standard exhaust.

No idea in the slightest regarding the resonator removal... 

[neg]

I would have thought it you removed the resonator then its just a matter of getting the correct diameter pipe to replace the bit you have removed.

Take a look at the Miltek pics as there is a resonated and non-resonated version - give you an idea what  you will be removing.

[Pirelli_P]

Having had a sniff around on the net, it seems that it involves removing a small box after the Cat and replacing it with a small length of pipe as neg said.

Does nobody have any ideas as to whether it would affect warranty/insurance?

[joesgti]

dont bother....

[neg]

Would only effect the exhaust warranty

[SteveS]

if u have a pirelli, then its not old... mine has only done just over 4000 miles and only now starting to sound as it should.

how many miles u done?

[djhorace]

All show and no go

All it means is you are taking out the centre silencer and replacing it with a straight through piece of pipe.

[djhorace]

That golf may sound a little like this when on the move - you cant tell the noise the car will make by revving it when parked up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Emp6mZG5eBA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGbiPeQ6k7k&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5amLShhMf2A

[Pirelli_P]

if u have a pirelli, then its not old... mine has only done just over 4000 miles and only now starting to sound as it should.

how many miles u done?

  hahaha, I pick it up in a couple of weeks! lol I am prob getting ahead of myself but im sure you all know what its like waiting for the car!

I have since found a bit more info on some of the American GTI forums. Like djhorace says it just involves replacing it with a piece of similar diameter pipe but since it requires cutting n welding i wanted to get some info about it. I may wait n see how it goes coz i don't want to take the plunge on something that isn't merely cosmetic and requires altering stuff if i feel standard spec isn't quite as good as I want. Iv been in WhiteGTI's car many a time but maybe with this it would be a happy compromise between standard and a complete new system, IMO.

I just wanted to get some opinions on peeps from the UK about it n if anyone else has done it. Seems most people get a Milltek which is clearly better but I can nay afford such mods for a while, and for the cost and what I would be trying to achieve, I can't see a reason to not do it but I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. From what iv read n seen on youtube vids it seems to make it slightly louder (understandably) and more of a noticable gurgle, which would suit me to a tee!