Whew, this is a fun job without a lift. I followed this link http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3291772 and it was pretty good. As far as performance gains, not a whole lot in my opinion. They claim 18hp on the race series, so with the Cat I'm sure the gains aren't that much. I'm sure I'll see mpg improvements too.

When removing my rear O2, I had to use a 12" breaker bar due to rust and it damaged the unit. I tried it anyway but got codes P1118, P1114, and P140. I bought the Bosch 4-wire universal and it works great. They give you this cool little water proof coupler between your existing wiring harness and the sensor that fits inside that little protective cover under the car if you cut the length right.

Anyway, Another $70 later for the O2 and all is good. Oh, one thing I want to ask you guys. When I dog the engine down like taking off slow the new exhaust vibrates against the bottom of the car. I looked under there while it was doing it by placing the emergency brake and having my daughter slowly release the clutch. I'm not sure what to do about it. My engine isn't deflecting much so that rules out motor mounts.

 

you need dogmount bushings. Ecstuning, ttstuff, blackforestindustries, and so on all carry them. This will stop the rattle. Also, you need a catback to see all the gains of a dp and vise versa

 

Yeah, dog bone mount would help for the rattle. And I feel the same way about mine after I installed it. I did the same DP, but catless. Very little power increase. But like cincy said, there is still a considerable amount of restriction sinc I still have a stock exhaust. I'm pretty sure I would be able to pick up a few useable horse/tq if I did an aftermarket exhaust or straight pipes.

 

I feel like there needs to be hanger somewhere in the front. The stock hanger on the sub frame isn't used any more. I considered buying a clamp on hanger and putting it behind the flex joint somewhere.

 

Don't think that would be necessary. An aftermarket exhaust wouldn't weigh as much, and would hang easier.

 

My fwd and 180q exhausts both are only supported by the turbo at the front and the stock locations at the rear. No reason to add more. The 180q weighed in at 36lbs from replacing the second section of the 2 peice dp to twin tips where the stock suitcase muffler weighs in about the same by itself and you still have twin cats, res and about 5' of piping

 

I talked to 42DD yesterday and the rep had the same year and same problem as me. He said to loosen the bolts at the coupler, pull down and tighten up again to provide a tiny bit more clearance. Also, as others suggested, I ordered the dogbone kit and I'll do that before I get it aligned. That may be the cause of my squeaking under the car as well. It sounds like a dry bushing when the car turns goes over a bump.

 

^ sway bar bushing