thats a damn good stainless exhaust you got there rob. it only needed the new backbox welding on.I also put a set of mint doors and wings off my mk2 onto it. it had a new mot on it too.
. If you dont want the exhaust i will take it back.
water lines are not essential. there supposed to be there to reduce heat transfer from the exhaust housing to the compressor housing and increase turbo life. If you let your turbo cool down after a hard drive and your engine oil warm up before you boot it you shouldnt have any increased problems with durability