Replacing the factory downpipe and catalytic converter is an important step when upgrading a 1.8T. The factory downpipe and cat is incredibly restrictive. Reducing backpressure at the turbo exit increases turbo response, horsepower and torque. It has been proven that downpipe upgrades provide healthy power increases on all 1.8T motors. 42 chose 3" for maximum gains... 2.5" downpipes are popular and often less expensive, but why not go all out?

This 3" downpipe begins at the turbo with a CNC machined turbo flange and a smooth transition to 3" CNC mandrel bent piping. The downpipe is bent in one piece to add strength and eliminate unnecessary welds. A stainless steel flex section is used to absorb engine movement. After the flex section a CNC machined flange allows a 3" high-flow cat or 3" test pipe to be installed. These downpipes include a Magnaflow catalytic converter. After the cat, a custom adaptor allows perfect bolt-on fitment to any aftermarket cat-back. We offer adaptors for stock sized exhausts, 2.5" and 3". The whole downpipe bolts together to ensure zero leaks and zero problems. 42 Draft Designs uses triple layer graphite gaskets and grade 5 locking hardware for the best fit.

The modular nature of our downpipe allows the user to change configurations at any time. For example, let's profile a typical customer. The vehicle is a 2005 GTI with stock exhaust. The customer purchases our street series downpipe with the stock adaptor. The next summer he discovers the local drag strip and purchases our test pipe to gain some speed on the track. Later, he decides to install a 2.5" cat-back. By purchasing our 2.5" adaptor the customer can install the exhaust without additional adaptors, completely avoiding any unnecessary restrictions. At any time he can reinstall the cat or stock exhaust by simply swapping out hardware.

If you choose to add the ceramic coating option, please allow an additional two weeks for shipment from the time order is placed.