Downpipe spring clamps removal

[aussieg60]

Any one know a safe painless way of removing the spring clamps that the downpipe is connected to the exhaust manifold on a MK2 Golf ?
(not the euro manifold+downpipe)

[Golf Loon]

Are they the ones that look like a c? Push down on one side with a long screwdriver or lever, make sure your face is above the engine as they catapult off and who knows where they go.

They are fun to get back on too!

[aussieg60]

Yep, there the one's and I'm not putting them back on. I want to try my stainless manifold for fitment. I hate bottlenecks
Anyone got a RHD downpipe to suit the standard G60 manifold if my stainless doesnt fit well ? Some pictures below.

http://www.mygroovebox.com/gti/Stainless_Manifold.jpg
http://www.mygroovebox.com/gti/G60_Manifold.jpg

[golf3]

Where did you source the stainless from???

I might have to go that route on my abf...

[aussieg60]

I got the stainless from german tuners racelandtuning.de before not knowing if they fit RHD. Some say yes, some no. They look so good I would like to make them fit, but then I read posts about cracking, rubbing and then to heat wrap. So frustrating knowing what to do without creating other damage as they say the stainless glow red hot.

My alternative is to stay with the standard manifold as I have sandblasted and HT paint, looks ok too and does fit real good but I got no downpipe.

[dubstar]

There are a few things you can do to reduce the chance of cracking headers.

1) Fit a flexijoint at the end of the headers where they join the rest of the system.

2) Use a solid front motor mount (bahn brenner have 50% of theirs at the moment). Reduces the front to back engine movement withour harming the ride quality.

3) Use new studs on the head and make sure everything is torqued as specced.

[Golf Loon]

Let us know if they do fit RHD

And definately use a flexijoint. VW do as standard, so should we.

[aussieg60]

Is the swivel joint ok as seen on the picture with the stainless headers ? Is it flex enough ? Its supposed to bolt straight to the cat.
I have all 3 Vibratech mounts, I hope they will be stiff enough.

[Golf Loon]

I`d put another flexjoint before the cat, to remove all engine flex. That swiveljoint wont do much.

Dont see why those headers wouldn`t fit RHD.