Tim's 1992 'K' 1.8 GLS auto...

[tim130879]

Your ok! You've got a Harvester near you!

Was supposed to meet a friend at the Bear Cross tomorrow but when I went passed Sunday lunch time; it look suspiciously closed....

[tim130879]

Hi guys - a bit of a disappointing return of the old girl.... not all the work carried out and charged £100 more than was quoted. Not overly impressed but moving on.
After checking and re-checking part numbers and suitability I ordered the 3 parts for the exhaust (centre, auto adaption pipe??, and rear box) told none of it fitted, but the rear box was correct. Basically none of it done - so all back in the garage. And was one of the first jobs I wanted doing as its an MOT issue and blowing etc etc…

Can any one help with GM part numbers, maybe an exploded diagram of the exhaust (I'm looking at you Robsey ) to help with this please?

[Cavalier342]

That is disappointing, sorry to hear that. The exhaust should just be a bog standard system, same as for the manuals, I don't know what you mean by auto adaption pipe?

From the manifold downpipe you have the Cat converter (converts gases into cats strangely), the middle section with silencer box, and the rear silencer box. That's it. I replaced all of it on my old Auto, got non-genuine parts from a good website, fitted perfectly without problems.

[tim130879]

Well exactly why I cant understand why this has been an issue.... the back box is standard what ever, auto or manual as I understand it. So no problems there.

I was told (at VX) the centre pipe is shorter for the auto and you also need an extra section which is an elbow type, to connect the two... as you can see here, that goes over, almost, the rear axel (??)

Untitled by CaptainTimbo, on Flickr

I was surprised tbh as I thought it would be just as simple as 2 pieces but I was told not.

[Cavalier342]

What? That's nonsense. I don't know why they told you that, I've no idea what they mean. You can see in your photo all three parts, Cat converter, middle pipe with silencer box, and rear silencer box. The rear silencer meeting the centre section over the rear axle is normal, that's just how it's designed.

There is absolutely no difference underneath between automatic and manual models, the only difference between the two types is the transmission. Which doesn't play a part in any of it. No idea what they are going on about.

[Robsey]

There is a difference in the front pipe support from the engine.

The upper exhaust is the manual,

The lower exhaust is the automatic.



And here are the part numbers for the auto version of the front / down pipe.

[Cavalier342]

Ok, but after the downpipe, the exhaust is the same.

[Robsey]

Amazingly there are two options.
(News to me, but true).
In the image below, middle section (2) can be usedfor manual or auto.

There is a part (3) with an additional elbow (4) for auto only.

Otherwise yes - the cat and back box / tail pipe should be the same regardless of auto or manual transmission.

[Cavalier342]

Ah that's why then, because when I replaced the middle section on my old auto, it was one piece, i.e. Item 2 in the diagram. I didn't have the extra "elbow" section. I never knew there were two different types.

[tim130879]

FFS hahaha.... so everyones right?

Well that doesn't make sense either. If I have pipe 2 then it should have fitted? If I have pipe 3 (which I'm 99% sure I have) and pipe 4, then it should have fitted all together as well?

I wont be going back to my mates garage again for mechanical stuff needless to say.

[Cavalier342]

If they know vauxhalls, then I can't believe they can't sort this out for you. Should be a straight forward bob's your uncle simple swap.

[Cavalier342]

Going by your photo under the car, It looks like just a normal middle section, I can't see what's on the other side of the axle, if there isn't any U-clamp there, then you have pipe number 2 in the diagram. Which fits straight onto the back box. So I don't see why they're faffing around.

[tim130879]

He more a body shop tbh, but he does have an ex BMW mech working there who supposed to cover servcing etc. Thing is though unless you drive a slammed BMW - your right down on the pecky list.

Body work wise he spot on but I wont be going back for anything more.

[Cavalier342]

Oh well, Boring Man's Wagon, that says it all really.

[tim130879]

Haha yes well quite.... Can you send me the web address where you got your exhaust from?

[Cavalier342]

They used to be called Cats Direct, don't seem to exist any more, I tried looking. They've never done me wrong though, ordered several parts from them while I had my Cavaliers, always received the correct part and never had a problem, and a decent price. I honestly wouldn't know who to recommend nowadays.

[tim130879]

Cats Direct...? mmm..... lol Sorry that made me laugh.

Found Cats2U, by accident, seem like they have a huge selection of cats for Cav's if anyone looking for one.

[Cavalier342]

I can't tell if they changed their name to that or not, but if it's the same company then I'd get in touch with them if you need any parts.

[tim130879]

SES Auto parts, Poole, litterally round the corner; longer pipe 2, £37.38 inc VAT and gaskets and clamp.

Wish I'd just gone there in the first place

[Cavalier342]

Oh wow that's a good deal then, problem solved!

[tim130879]

Well..... lol. Lets get it fitted first. Once thats done onto the bodywork

[Cavalier342]

I'd do it for you if I had access to ramps.

[tim130879]

Cheers mate - wish I had ramps too. Save a lot of mucking around wouldn't it lol

[Cavalier342]

I used to do it under a hydraulic jack but I know it's not the safest option. Axle stands would be alright though.

[tim130879]

I get unnecessarily nervous going under a car with jacks and stands etc. Under a ramp I'm fine lol. That's why I hate changing tyres