My downpipe rattles like I dont know what!! It looks like the heatshield has finally rusted and is vibrating and it is very annoying. I dont really fancy spending a whole massive amount on a 4 branch so what are my options with downpipes? Can I only fit a standard one or are there others? Can you get one in stainless steel? Will any other downpipe fit, i.e 16v one? MK3 one? Any assistance will be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance.
Rattly heatshield is common, and most people (myself included!) give up trying to repair it, and end up ripping it off altogether. If you`re concerned about there then being no heat protection for the bulkhead, then you can either wrap the downpipe with exhaust wrap, or attach a heat mat to the bulkhead. Either option would be cheaper/easier than replacing what is probably an otherwise good downpipe.
large jubilee clips usually do the trick, at least for a while. if you dont have large ones, several smaller ones joined together will do you
Not strictly, but over time the paint on the bulkhead could get burnt off leading to corrosion, hence my suggestion that you could wrap the exhaust or put some protection on the bulkhead instead (I did neither, but the car was nicked before it became an issue...)
