On Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:04:49 -0500, "dave AKA vwdoc1"
> wrote:

>What does your receipt actually say?
>
>I have forgotten how the exhaust system is/was on the '83 Rabbits.
>IIRC I seem to remember that some '83 Rabbits had a front pipe that is held
>unto the exhaust manifold with 2 spring clips. That pipe was also the
>catalytic converter.

I've seen them with the front pipe using spring clips, that ends in a
flange at the cat.

> The center pipe slipped over the cat and clamped down
>So you need to determine what was changed on your vehicle!
>
>Some of the earlier Rabbits had a front pipe (AKA Downpipe) that bolted to
>both the exhaust manifold (6 bolts). The Downpipe connected to an accordian
>looking pipe (AKA Flex pipe with 3 bolts) which connected to the cat (3
>bolts). Then the center pipe bolted to the cat also.
>So the cat was part of the center pipe since the Rabbits without cats had a
>different style Flex pipe that bolted to the Downpipe and allowed a longer
>center pipe to slip over the Flex pipe.
>
>I could be wrong so someone correct me!
>
>And yes those cheap catalytic converters should be easy to install and would
>be legal AFAIK! ;-)