Resolved AWD 2g DP vs AWD 1g downpipe, what is the REAL difference?

[90CherryTSI]

Side by side they look the exact same, so can anyone tell me if they are interchangeable? I look at the bend on one vs the bend on another and I can't tell the difference. Can anyone enlighten me on the difference here? They appear to be just about the same length and bend almost the exact same. I can't believe that they won't fit the other car....anyone with a 2g and a 1g who can test fit or has tried and they work? If not where is the clearance problem?

Matt

 

[jab-619]

I would like to know that to. I haven't look that close but look the same to me. I'd like to look at them side by side. You can find 2g downpipes all day long.

 

[Endz0r]

the downpipe might not be diff but the exhaust goes to the other side!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Whitetalonb16g]

interesting so u think a 2g AWD DP will fit a 1g AWD . HMMMMMMM anyone ever try this yet. there are tons on EBAY for cheap that I would like to try.

 

[90CherryTSI]

that the 2g is 3 inches LONGER than the 1g AWD. The stock 1g has the little bolt hole bracket up near the o2 sensor housing flange and I'm not sure if the 2g does (maybe someone with a 2g can find out?). Regardless, I'm going to order a 2g and buy a sleeve and just hack it 3 inches shorter. I'm tired of seeing 1g dp's go for $150 + shipping at times but seeing 2g's go for $80-90 + shipping. Granted they're older cars but if the difference is 3 inches of pipe you'd think it'd be cheaper. I'm not sure if the mounting bracket is placed correctly or not but I'm ordering one today and will let everyone know what I find. Even if I have to get an aftermarket mounting bracket for the rubber doughnut. I'm ordering it, screw it, tired of overpaying for a piece of metal, ugh.

 

[jab-619]

Let everybody know how it goes. Good luck.

 

[audiodude123]

You could goto a exhaust shop and have them weld a 90 degree 2.5" elbow to a 2.5" flange (bring in a old down pipe so they can get the angle right) for me they charged $11.00 with a gasket. Then goto a auto store and get that $10.00 mandrel flex 2.5" exhaust tubem and some clamps maysome a adapter to make it slip fit onto the remainder of your old exhaust.

 

[Ludachris]

Keep tech questions in the tech forums please. Moved to General.

 

[jott5555]

so has anyone found a answer out yet? is the 2g 3inches longer than the 1g??

 

[CarTrader29]

I'd like to know as well!

 

[Mits3gts]

i'd like to know the difference with the FWD's...by the looks,they look identical.

 

[xcelr8n]

the difference between 1g fwd vs awd is the angle of the flanges, I was given a mint brand new ss fwd downpipe, and I only had to cut the flange off and re weld it to my straight pipe for awd.

 

[Mits3gts]

but what about 1g fwd vs. 2g fwd...

 

[90CherryTSI]

I have the stock o2 housing and just got a catback Thermal system, the one that necks down to bolt to the stock cat. I paid $117 shipped for this downpipe off Ebay and here's what I found to be the biggest difference (some arent problems) -

1. The bolt holes to mount to the stock o2 housing are to small. They had to be drilled out about 1/2 an inch so they would mount.

2. Fitment down there is TIGHT and when I say TIGHT I mean the flex section is basically right up against EVERYTHING.

3. The bolt hole up by the o2 housing flange that sticks off to the side has to be extended out another 1/4 inch or so, it doesn't quite fit but lines up close.

4. It IS about 3' longer than stock, if 3', maybe more like 2 1/2'. I didn't measure but a little cutting is necessary and rewelding to get it to mate to a 1g AWD catback. Since my Thermal bottle necked a little I just cut that flange and will have a new piece of 3' stainless welded up with a new flange so they meet up.

That being said, that's it. The stock hanger works fine (you need a little bit of a longer bolt. I just locked down my grounding strap onto the inside of it, works fine just not threaded.

Worst part is the dp resting against stuff b/c of the tight fitment. Not sure if this is only b/c it's a 2g but I can't imagine that to be true at all. You should probably get some type of heat resistant wrap to put on the DP b/c there is no room for heatshields anymore (probably true of the 1g 3' DP also though). Any questions feel free to ask.

 

[90CherryTSI]

Also on the 2g that I got the o2 sensor housing bolts that come off the 2g o2 sensor housing would BARELY and I mean BARELY clear the sides of the 3' opening. This flange has the slots so there is play but it'd barely fit even after I drilled out the openings but it did fit. It was SNUG and I mean very but the problem here was that when putting on the nuts as you tighten them down they won't turn because they hit the tubing. I could only get one on and I put it on upside down so as to give me more room to tighten it. There is no way a socket will fit up there with the nuts to get them tight. I even tried with a pair of vice grips to turn one, didn't work. Two suggestions, either get a 2.75' that opens up after flex (this one is a true 3' inlet/outlet) OR get thin wall sockets and a smaller nut threaded the same.

 

[MorrisonFab]

Ooold thread but seems like it's hard to find an exact answer anywhere so for anyone searching-

The amount of front/back engine tilt is different between 1g and 2gs. A 1g is roughly ~8deg forward tilt and a 2g is ~10deg, and since the O2 housing outlets/angles are the same between them, the difference comes to the angle of the first downpipe bend. A 2g downpipe in a 1g will have the downpipe angled too much towards the ground, and a 1g downpipe in a 2g will have the downpipe angled too much towards the chassis. Extra note: If it has a flex bellow its likely to be able to take up the difference in angle

Cheers