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How to remove back box on Lupo?


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My back box has broke and come loose and I was wondering if anyone here knows how I can remove it so that I can at least drive the car.

It's broke off in the mid section, so is hanging by the rear end, by what looks like one of these:

$T2eC16ZHJGUFFhzP3VkYBRtVS-8KGw~~60_57.J

Do I just need to pull it out? Or does it need to be loosened somewhere first?

The back box is wrecked so I'm not bothered if I have to break it off.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Edited by eBrooker
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When this happened to me (and I needed to use the car the same day) I just cut the rubber mount with a stanley knife. It takes some effort (and rolling around on the floor) but you can do it. You don't even need to get your car in the air, just get yourself under the rear end and you can do it fairly easily. The box will drop and you'll just be left with the pipe coming into the backbox (that's the weak spot).

The mounts are like £3, so it just isn't worth trying to salvage it in my opinion.

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Nice one, thanks!

Btw is the car illegal to drive without the backbox like that?

Also wondering whether I should go for that straight pipe mod (mufflerectomy) ...just worried about impact on insurance as it is already lowered and has non-standard alloys :/

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The hanger will probably have a flared end and often needs a fair bit of effort to get it back out the rubber.

(randomy nicked from interweb pic of exhaust hanger...)

t7foe9.jpg

Unless it really loud then you wont get any problems with pc plod, but if you get pulled for lights or any other reason and they decide to give the car the once over then who knows.

Edited by Sausage
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I drove around with no pipe for about a month. No attention from the plod at all. Realistically, a missing back box isn't that loud. It's a bit throaty but hardly F1 is it? It's all about context though isn't it? Handbrake turns round your local McDonald's and yeah, you might start to attract the wrong attention.

If you want to do yourself a favour, keep your old backbox in the boot. If you are pulled, you can show them and explain it recently fell off and you're booked in to get it sorted soon. Even that's unlikely though, it really is.

I would go straight pipe but not a big fart cannon. Just a cheap piece of exhaust pipe. Weld in and be done with it. It really won't be loud at all tbh

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Thanks for the help both :)

I ended up just driving it down the road to my local garage and he just pulled it off for me.

He said a straight pipe would cost more than just replacing the back box as he needs a certain thickness of pipe (i.e. more expensive than what's on eBay) to fit in his machine so that he can bend it to appropriate fit (he actually manufacturers performance exhausts). He said he could get a replacement backbox for about 40 to 50 quid but if I can find one cheaper he'll fit it for me... which is what I think I might do as currently (without back box) it doesn't sound that different to me.

What do you think?

Is this the cheapest Lupo back box around? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Klarius-VW509L-Exhaust-Rear-Back-Box-VW-Lupo-6X1-6E1-Seat-Arosa-6H-/230838427273?fits=Car+Make%3AVW%7CModel%3ALupo&hash=item35bf0ade89:m:miNFF8kT1wWDanSK42uJ3bQ

Or is it worth spending more? (why?)

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Thanks for the help both :)

I ended up just driving it down the road to my local garage and he just pulled it off for me.

He said a straight pipe would cost more than just replacing the back box as he needs a certain thickness of pipe (i.e. more expensive than what's on eBay) to fit in his machine so that he can bend it to appropriate fit (he actually manufacturers performance exhausts). He said he could get a replacement backbox for about 40 to 50 quid but if I can find one cheaper he'll fit it for me... which is what I think I might do as currently (without back box) it doesn't sound that different to me.

What do you think?

Is this the cheapest Lupo back box around? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Klarius-VW509L-Exhaust-Rear-Back-Box-VW-Lupo-6X1-6E1-Seat-Arosa-6H-/230838427273?fits=Car+Make%3AVW%7CModel%3ALupo&hash=item35bf0ade89:m:miNFF8kT1wWDanSK42uJ3bQ

Or is it worth spending more? (why?)

I think that sounds like utter bullshit (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Exhaust-90-Degree-Angle-Stainless-Steel-Bend-25mm-1-inch-2D-Mandrel-Bends-/281231020979?hash=item417aacd3b3:g:ZUoAAOxyNo9StCnG) but there we go.

Personally, I wouldn't get a second hand back box, they're cheap enough anyway....

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I think that sounds like utter bullshit (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Exhaust-90-Degree-Angle-Stainless-Steel-Bend-25mm-1-inch-2D-Mandrel-Bends-/281231020979?hash=item417aacd3b3:g:ZUoAAOxyNo9StCnG) but there we go.

Personally, I wouldn't get a second hand back box, they're cheap enough anyway....

Maybe he's unaware of those, lol

I am more worried about the insurance tbh Joe, it already has two mods and I think a third will just be an excuse for insurance to fleece me :(

I just called them (insurance) and they said it would not affect my premium... but he also said that might be because I only have one month left. Might be worth running some quotes to find out..

Ok just ran some quotes, when I tick 'has exhaust changes' the price goes up by £16 a year.

Hmmmmmm maybe time to get a performance exhaust hahaha

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Haha yeah - think I might ask him what kind of pipe he needs. What other options have I got Joe?

I also know a fully (recently) qualified mechanic who said he could do it for me - but I would need ramps and all the welding gear (ramps are about 30 quid, no idea about welding kit tho).

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Haha yeah - think I might ask him what kind of pipe he needs. What other options have I got Joe?

I also know a fully (recently) qualified mechanic who said he could do it for me - but I would need ramps and all the welding gear (ramps are about 30 quid, no idea about welding kit tho).

You've got several tbh buddy.

You could just as easily do it yourself with clamps and silicone gasket sealer. How handy are you?

If you still have the back box, I would measure how long it is, (I would hazard a guess about it's probably 15-20 inches ish, maybe? If you don't, get the back end up in the air and work out approximately how long a straight pipe would need to be. Doesn't need to be dead accurate just rough measurement. As I said, reckon 15 to 20 inches or so:

This one is 19 inches and I reckon about the right diameter:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-Silver-42mm-Diameter-Long-Exhaust-Pipe-Section-Connector-Joiner-/131492763715?hash=item1e9d945843:g:9toAAOSwT5tWL5Bf

Although you would need to measure the correct diameter of the pipe. Of course, if there's any left on the back box where it broke, you could easily use that.

Then, once you've got the correct pipe, you slide it over the damaged end and seal it using gasket sealant

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-accessories/car-maintenance-accessories/car-adhesives-tapes-sealants/quick-gasket/?553772420&0&cc5_139

and

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MIKALOR-W4-Stainless-Steel-Hose-Clamps-Supra-Exhaust-T-Bolt-Marine-Clip-/321778268047?var=&hash=item4aeb7ab78f:m:mOKorowsqIZ-VzlPiqiwLUw

You you should also try and create an the exhaust hanger if you can. I've seen this done via:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-Exhaust-Round-Band-Hanger-2-Stainless-Steel-Adjustable-Bracket-Bomb-/252102212735?hash=item3ab2767c7f:g:Yx4AAOSwzOxUVN9n

I've also seen it done via a coat hanger. Not sure if that would be an MOT fail though.

Finally, if you genuinely wanted to ensure a drop down exhaust (as opposed to straight)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-Curled-Down-Exhaust-Tail-Pipe-Trim-45mm-1-75-/320504868961?hash=item4a9f943061:m:m06Usf36sbKj6xNoFVSC5cA

Although I really wouldn't bother with the last one.

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Dude!!!!! You should so start a blog to post guides like this up!! I'm sure a lot of people would find them handy and if it gets busy enough you can put Google Ads on, the busier it gets the more revenue it would generate.

I think I would just need a ramp then :-)

The only thing I am a little worried about is the sound - will it basically sound like it does now (without the back box)? I'm not sure I like it - it's definitely louder, and bassier - but doesn't have that 'roar' that you hear of some cars (and I feel like I hear it in the middle - which is obviously where it is, but will it sound better at the back). Might just be me tho and I need to get used to it.

But you should definitely start a blog Joe - I'll help you if you want.

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Well I would probably do it on axle stands. Reversing up a set of ramps doesn't sound great. You get more space with ramps though.

No, it'll sound a bit quieter and with the noise being guided further back it'll bother you less.

If you're in a 1.0, It ain't going to ever sound like an 80s group B race weapon, even if you spent good money and fitted something like a cherry bomb. If you fitted a big fart canon, hmm it's probably sound a little bit better but really, I would hazard a guess that it'd mainly amplify the bass and not necessarily give it a more fruity tone. Of course, you could start looking at resonators but I just don't think it's worth it at all.

You might get more of a roar, I imagine the sound is a bit uncontrolled right now. It'll probably be less raspy as well.

Of course, add that drop down tip and the noise will be reduced even more.

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Oh wow - Axle stands (I didn't know they were a thing!). I learn something new here everyday (thanks Joe!)

Are these ok? http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-workshop/trolley-jacks/halfords-2-tonne-axle-stands(£13)

Or these? http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-workshop/axle-stands/halfords-2-tonne-ratchet-axle-stands(£24)

I actually quite like the sound now :thumbup: tho I am a little bit worried that I might get stopped all the time :/

I'll ask my mechanic again for a proper quote on straight pipe and mention the option of doing it myself and see what he says.. will keep you updated :D

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I've spoken to my mechanic and he said if I supply the back box he can fit for £15, or if I supply the pipe he can bend/fit it for £40 (he thinks it will take two bends and will sort brackets/hanging etc so £40 seems fair enough to me)

Backbox is about £25 (so £40 with fitting) and cheapest 1metre 1" 3/4 with 2mm wall thickness pipes I can find are £22 (so £62 fitted) - anyone know of any cheaper pipes? (They have to be 2mm wall thickness for his machine.)

This is the sort of thing you end up with: http://pigginpipes.co.uk/tube_bends.html

I also need a new heater motor as the scatter box was blocked by leaves and water got into the heater (car was flooded!!) so I wanna try and keep costs down if I can.

Edited by eBrooker
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