New mk5 owner with lots of questions!

[Jons1001]

Been recommended two high flow sports cats one by magnaflow at £120 and one by darkside developments at £200. Add prob £40 to weld. New downpipe with sports cat start at about £350 plus however much to fit. Also advised to weld in close to the turbo. Any views on if this is the right way to go or recommendations please let me know.

I personally always find Darkside stuff to be very pricey - wouldn't be surprised if their one is the magnaflow re-badged with darkside premium tax added.

Cats need heat to work, if they are too far away from the engine they will take longer to heat up, so close to the bend is best.

Milltek sport cats are available on ebay from a good seller here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Golf-VR6-GTi-G60-MILLTEK-Sport-Hi-Flow-Sports-Cat-Weld-In-2-50-63-50mm/162084814001?hash=item25bd01fcb1:g:MHkAAOSwagdXR6-v that's a 2.5" - need to match the size of your decat pipe price is £150 to £170, I would be confident of brand and seller.

If the welder is to do a proper job they will need to take the downpipe off to weld everything up + turbo studs like to snap too - there may well be more expense here.

At some point in the future I plan to upgrade my standard downpipe to a sport cat, my plan is to go for a Pipworx one, they have a good reputation on here and quality looks great https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/golf-mk5-gti-3-Exhaust-Down-Pipe-High-Flow-Sports-Cat/300361586764?hash=item45eef2184c:g:BVcAAOxybi9RcZgj anything cheaper looks like a real step down in quality.  If you can stretch the money it should be a more predictable result + you can sell your de-cat pipe un-damaged to get some of the money back.

Hey thanks for replying. Bit the bullet about half an hour ago on a magnaflow 59959 after a recommendation from someone on the Facebook owners page, cost was £102 from topgear.co.uk If not I'd have been tempted by the Milltek from your link, 3 inch is £158 with same seller. I know it's a bit of a gamble rather than say the pipewerx but it's probably about half the price so it's one I'm willing to take in the hope it will get me through at least one mot. Thanks for info. on turbo studs if anyone has part number please let me know.

[Octoparrot]

STUDS = N0445203
NUTS = N10286108
4 OFF OF EACH

GASKET = 1K0253115AB

[Jons1001]

STUDS = N0445203
NUTS = N10286108
4 OFF OF EACH

GASKET = 1K0253115AB

Cheers Octo

[Jons1001]

STUDS = N0445203
NUTS = N10286108
4 OFF OF EACH

GASKET = 1K0253115AB

Cheers Octo

Anyone know where I can buy these all in one place? At the moment can only find them by ordering from 3 different websites which means pretty expensive delivery costs and different wait times. Thanks

[brian_badonde]

Hi, sorry for delayed reply.

Glad you sourced a cat. Those parts all look like VW part numbers so you should either be able to get them from your local VW dealer or TPS - just give them a call and ask. TPS are sometimes cheaper but I've personally found the dealer cheaper for bolts etc. than anywhere else online.

[Octoparrot]

AKS TUNING

https://www.akstuning.co.uk/shop/home/1106-genuine-turbo-to-downpipe-stud-tfsi-platform.html

https://www.akstuning.co.uk/shop/home/1126-genuine-turbo-to-downpipe-nut-tfsi-platforms.html

https://www.akstuning.co.uk/shop/home/1003-genuine-tfsi-turbo-to-downpipe-gasket.html

[Jons1001]

Thanks both. Just got them from the dealer £27 all in so not too bad.

Also, yet more questions!

- If the welder I use wants the downpipe off first is it possible to remove downpipe without a ramp. Reason I ask is the guy I usually use is a mobile mechanic and he is good and cheap. Or would this be asking for trouble?

- Where on the downpipe should it actually go, i take it should be on the 'across' bit rather than the 'down' bit lol. So just before it bends upwards?

[Octoparrot]

These pictures should give you some idea.

https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,112639.0.html?vm=r

[Jons1001]

These pictures should give you some idea.

https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,112639.0.html?vm=r

Cheers, really appreciate your help. Just hope i can get it sorted and it passes mot after all this!

[brian_badonde]

- If the welder I use wants the downpipe off first is it possible to remove downpipe without a ramp. Reason I ask is the guy I usually use is a mobile mechanic and he is good and cheap. Or would this be asking for trouble?

If everything is rust free and it all goes smoothly, easliy doable with a trolley jack/axle stands. If something snaps/strips though, the turbo would probably have to come off which would be much easier with a lift. Personally I'd pay extra and get it done at an indy with a lift.