Fitting exhaust

[ralph s3]

Hi Me again looking for more advice please.

Whats the best way to put exhaust back on an S3 (no cats)? Do you put the down pipes onto manifold and then exhaust onto downpipes or other way around?

I would prefer to put downpipes onto exhaust and then use a jack to push the downpipes onto the manifold as far as possible to increase ground clearance but the downpipes form a slight v shape, so I don't see how you can fit the downpipes if they are already connected to exhaust pipe.

I hope above makes sense, jut wondered what others had found successful.

Ralph

[Le TVR]

Downpipes to manifolds then exhaust to downpipes always works for me.
Cant imagine having enough space to do it the other way.

[mickS2]

I guess it depends on the exhaust system but I can only fit mine by fitting the down pipes to the exhaust first then offering the whole lot up to the manifolds. The other way does not work for me becasue the box sits tight within the chassis and to slide it forward onto the down pipes means the back of it has to be dropped enough to clear the chassis cross section just in front of the diff. The angles are then all wrong and it won't slide on.
As you say, fitting the down pipes to the box first then offering up to the manifold also seems to create problems because of the angles, but I find that if the down pipes are left loose on the box then by twisting the box (rear mount not connected at this stage) the two pipes can be slowly worked up the manifolds (assisted by a gentle tap or two with a club hammer). When all is in place tighten everything up.
Using a pit or getting the car up on wheel ramps seems essential.
Good Luck
Mick

[ralph s3]

In case anyone is interested the answer for me was downpipes onto exhaust first and then fit whole thing to manifolds. Then do everything up.

RAlph