Hi

I have not got much experience when it comes to performance but from reading other threads on exhaust's and DP's I kinda get the idea. I'm not looking for boy racer sound just better turbo out put power if I can id like to avoid changing the sound of the exhaust.

I want to upgrade my standard down pipe to a 3" one if this is possible and as my NCT(MOT) is coming up quiet soon it won't pass with a decat. Question is what options do i have for upgrading my exhaust system? I'm not a bank so I more than likely won't be able to afford the miltek stuff or other expensive stuff. :(

Is it

3" Downpipe

Decat

Custom cat back

or would it be better to get the whole thing custom made from the turbo to the exhaust tip?

Think its 3"down pipe, decat pipe fitted with 200cell sports cat and a cat back system that will see the best gains keeping it legal

Having a full custom made one including a sports cat would likely work out as expensive (or more) than a Milltek/Blueflame/Piper full system.

I think the cheapest way of doing it at the moment is an ebay downpipe, decat, then some form of cat-back system in the same diameter as the rest of it, shop around and see if a custom cat-back system is cheaper than a Milltek/BF one.

The biggest single saving you can make on the exhaust system is going to be having a decat pipe instead of a cat but then you'll have to put a cat back in come MOT time and (not sure if this is the case in Ireland) you can sometimes be pulled over for roadside checks where it might be spotted as being absent.

I never changed the exhaust on my VRS but if I had another one I think I'd either get a full system inc. sports cat from one of the big names (Milltek, BF or Piper) on a pay monthly type thing (Demon Tweeks do the Milltek system for £32 a month), or I would just replace the existing exhaust section by section as bits wore out with the best I could afford.

As for going cat back... if you had a 3" pipe made to go all the way to the box, would this work? Because I can have that done for £10 providing its straight.

Although the cat is missing it doesn't actually mean anything if your car can still get within the emission levels it's fine. It's not actually illegal to remove the cat nor an mot failure if it's not there. The only way a roadside check could get you is if they have a calibrated smoke machine to test it and they won't have that. Because they are not handheld machines

As an mot tester as from January this year a car fitted with a cat from the factory must have one,where it is absent is a reason for failure,whether or not is passes the emmissons with a cat removed is irrelevant now.

As an mot tester as from January this year a car fitted with a cat from the factory must have one,where it is absent is a reason for failure,whether or not is passes the emmissons with a cat removed is irrelevant now.

And I imagine if you got pulled and found without one you'd get a rectification notice.

if u havent got a cat your cars mot is void = no insurance ,means police can take ur car and ur in a big pile of piggy poo! Worth the risk?

To be honest decat isn't that big of a problem over here you just need it to get passed the NCT(MOT) so if I buy it in sections i could just stick the cat in come time for test. Would it work out cheaper and how much would i be looking for each section?

Downpipe and decat (cheapy ones) £89 on ebay

Milltek one £210 on ebay

Milltek or Blueflame cat-back part of exhaust system £350 from one of the site sponsors like Awesome GTI

So all in all about £400-500 (€490-€610) for the whole lot, still a good saving from £1000+ (€1200+) for a full Milltek or Blueflame system including a sports cat

You know if the eBay DP's are any use?

No idea there seem to be one or two people on here fitting them so wait and see what the outcome is I guess!

Hi eccentric toast,

I was just quoted 550 for custom resonated full stainless decat system by Souhans. I'm saving up now! I reckon I'll hold on to the old exhaust and throw it on come NCT. Think they use magnaflow boxes but they say they can make it to your requirements. I was going to go non resonated but with a large, quiet back box to try keep noise down.

Worth a call.

Michael

Thanks for the info Michael.

is that the place up in Trim? I think I was recommended them already. it might be worth a look.