Is it a nasty exhaust leak in a good way, or a bad way? You got a video? Good sounding exhaust leaks aren't common, but my 2.0 MK4 Golf had an okay sounding one, had to fix it though. Not as nice as an aftermarket exhaust but it definitely felt faster and got a lot of dirty looks :P
Good luck with everything! Please keep us updated on it as you work on it! And when the thread inevitably dies, my PMs would love some updates too ;)
Nasty as in, the entire exhaust system is forgeted. Manifold & down the pipe to the muffler, though the muffler and back is fine. Needs a whole new system otherwise. Surprisingly, the leak sounds great LOL, sounds very mean and raspy, makes a nice rumble/popping when revving back down, not farty. I'll get a vid & audio tomorrow, though idk if the phone mic will pick it up well.
I did find a massive vacuum leak on the carburetor spacer / heater plate, which I plugged up with a stuffload of RTV, and RTV'd around the top and bottom to be triple sure the gasket ain't leaking, and boy it drives like a new car now. Revs smooth, idles smooth (though high cus off timing), doesn't rev hang, doesn't buck and surge anymore, etc.
Pic of it yesterday. Painted the rims & air cleaner too cus they were ugly as stuff. Also cleaned the engine logo cus it purdy
