S3 Exhaust removal

S3 Exhaust removal

Author
Discussion

Scuba Joe

Original Poster:

31 posts

90 months

Wednesday 18th November 2020
quotequote all
Just removing the engine and have found that the exhaust from the engine through manifolds and right throughout has no joins. It seems the whole unit is welded together from start to finish. The exhaust is stainless but appears manifolds are mild steel, but no joins between both elements. I can’t remove the engine without taking off the exhaust/ manifolds (or can I?) so I am assuming I have to chop and sleeve after the downpipes. Has anyone else found this, or is there a workaround anyone else has found. Or, can you remove the lump with just unbolting the manifolds and lowering slightly?

Many thanks!


phillpot

17,279 posts

190 months

Wednesday 18th November 2020
quotequote all

Whether or not the engine will come out with the manifolds detached i'd think now is a good time to sort the exhaust for future maintenance/repairs?



Edited by phillpot on Wednesday 18th November 13:18

RayTVR

1,074 posts

150 months

Wednesday 18th November 2020
quotequote all
normally there are the 'hockey sticks' which join manifolds to the rest of the exhaust which is one piece. Probably easiest to get new stainless hockey sticks and go back to having normal 'sleeved' joints to the main part. ACT do them.

S2Mick

44 posts

51 months

Wednesday 18th November 2020
quotequote all
Mine was the same, I couldn't see any other way forward other than the noisy hacksaw. Cut it where the hockey sticks straighten out and head towards the back of the car.
Stainless will be employed for the rebuild, not much help I'm sorry.
Eggs and omelettes and all that

mentall

469 posts

137 months

Wednesday 18th November 2020
quotequote all
You're operating in a region of extreme ground-clearance sensitivity here. That may be a non-trivial reason why they've welded the system.

I'd go for band clamps rather than the usual U-bolt clamps: not only do they reduce clearance by a couple of millimetres rather than 5 or 8mm, but they present less of a 'snag' to whatever you're going to bump them on!

Scuba Joe

Original Poster:

31 posts

90 months

Thursday 19th November 2020
quotequote all
Thanks everyone. Looks like it’s a grinder, new manifolds and a bit more expense!

magpies

5,145 posts

189 months

Thursday 19th November 2020
quotequote all
why do you think you will need new manifolds?

Scuba Joe

Original Poster:

31 posts

90 months

Thursday 19th November 2020
quotequote all
To make it all stainless like the exhaust!

phillpot

17,279 posts

190 months

Thursday 19th November 2020
quotequote all
Scuba Joe said:
To make it all stainless like the exhaust!
Don't scrap those old'uns, I know someone who'd have a go at salvaging them wink