Best ebay Exhaust Manifolds – Golf GTI/Golf R MK5 MK6
In this article we look at the exhaust manifolds available on ebay for the MK5 and MK6 Golf GTi/Golf R. We look at the designs and see which should be best for performance.
There are four designs of Golf GTI/Golf R manifolds at the time of writing.
Two of them are cast manifolds and are unbranded.
One is from OBX, a tubular exhaust manifold
And the last is from IE, this is a cast manifold.
The Taiwanese manifolds
The most expensive manifold first
This manifold has a T25 flange which is a big negative straight off the bat for those looking for big power with big turbos. For those using the standard turbo this should be a bolt on affair.
Plus Points
Cast which should mean it lasts
You can add an external wastegate.
Negative Points
The placement of the external wastegate is not ideal
The exhaust flange is small
The runners are not seperated
The runners do not aim the exhaust gas towards the turbo
Summary
A strong exhaust manifold and that is about it
Score
3/10
Taiwan Manifold 2
Negative Points
Small exhaust flange, T25
No way to add an external wastegate
Plus Points
Divided entry to the turbo
Runners aim the exhaust flow towards the flange
Cast design, heavy but strong
Summary
If you are keeping the standard turbo, this could be an upgrade over the standard exhaust manifold due to the divided entry and the alignment of the runners
Score
6/10
IE Cast Exhaust Manifold
Plus points
T4 flange for big turbo upgrades and lets face it, that is why we are fitting a different exhaust manifold
Cast, heavy but strong
Divided entry to turbo
Runners aimed towards flange
Negatives
No external wastegate flange
Summary
Building on the plus points of the better Taiwanese exhaust manifold but with a T4 flange.
Score
7/10
OBX Manifold
The OBX is a stainless steel, tubular exhaust manifold
Plus Points
Long runners, will lose some heat before the turbo but should also give less back pressure to the turbo and reduce heat in the cylinder head and have even less reversion than the divided entry cast manifolds.
T3 Flange for big turbo
External wastegate flange
Negative Points
Tubular with long headers will probably need extra support for the weight of the turbo, a good idea either way
Wastegate flange angle not ideal at all, pointing away from flow of exhaust gases
Summary
An exhaust manifold that should give excellent performance, with a good size exhaust flange, a flange for an external wastegate. Bracing to support some of the weight of the turbo would be recommended (by us)
Score
8/10
