Turbo to manifold gasket, use copper or stainless gasket?

[truwarrior]

I have a copper and stainless steel gasket for the turbo to manny fold gasket. Which one should I use? I'm thinking stainless because that's what's on the head to manny fold...?

 

[Dallas J]

I had a bunch of problems with my turbo bolt backing out and blowing gaskets. I was using the layers steel gaskets, and when the bolts would back out the gasket would like desolve from the heat.

The new gasket I have now is a copper one about 1.5-2mm thick. I had 2 bolts work completely out and 1 other loose and it stayed good. Tightend things back up and still no exhaust leaks

A good tip though, when you tighten your bolts start the car and let it warm up a little bit. Then retorque the bolts. Also use the stock cone type washers or at least some kind of lock washers.

-Dallas J

 

[peregrine]

the stock type steel one has ceramic sandwiched in it those suck. copper ones last longer but will eventually blow. i would find the 1/8" stainless ones. they last forever.

 

[truwarrior]

So I went to put on my EVOIII manifold on the other day. The manifold to turbo bolt broke off because the SS gasket warped into a oval shape and was pressing against the bolt which stripped it. The gasket is cracked in half and was leaking out the sides under boost...joy..

 

[gsx ftw]

I heard the SS 1/8" thick SS gaskets were bad news...I picked one up and I don't think I want it anymore after reading the horror stories.

 

[truwarrior]

I heard the SS 1/8" thick SS gaskets were bad news...I picked one up and I don't think I want it anymore after reading the horror stories.

What are you going to use then?

 

[DSM Jeff]

I have seen those solid stainless ones distort and crack and just fall apart. I have seen the ones with a thin piece of stainless sandwiching some kind of material (like regular exhaust gaskets) break apart. I personally use the stainless ones from mitsu that have a few layers of stainless with a ring around the center. I've had a lot of luck with them. I've never seen or used a copper so I will not comment on those. I also use mitsu bolts. I've had a few friends have serious issues using arp bolts. I also use 2 mitsu washers on each bolt.

 

[romeen]

So I went to put on my EVOIII manifold on the other day. The manifold to turbo bolt broke off because the SS gasket warped into a oval shape and was pressing against the bolt which stripped it. The gasket is cracked in half and was leaking out the sides under boost...joy..

Sounds familiar.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/bolt-tech/293899-look-what-happened-ss-turbo-gasket.html

There seems to be a pattern of these gaskets distorting in particular with the EVO3 turbos which have that uniquely shaped flange.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/art...tainless-steel-7cm-turbo-manifold-gasket.html

I have seen those solid stainless ones distort and crack and just fall apart. I have seen the ones with a thin piece of stainless sandwiching some kind of material (like regular exhaust gaskets) break apart. I personally use the stainless ones from mitsu that have a few layers of stainless with a ring around the center. I've had a lot of luck with them. I've never seen or used a copper so I will not comment on those. I also use mitsu bolts. I've had a few friends have serious issues using arp bolts. I also use 2 mitsu washers on each bolt.

Agreed with all of the above.

 

[gsx ftw]

I'll be using the damn thing as a paperweight.

Where can I pick up an OEM multi-layer gasket? How about a copper one?

 

[truwarrior]

I'll be using the damn thing as a paperweight.

Where can I pick up an OEM multi-layer gasket? How about a copper one?

I saw a picture of some one's multilayer gasket blow apart even worse so I'm not sure how much of an option that will be...

I'm thinking about just not running a gasket...

 

[gsx ftw]

It might leak pretty bad.

Anybody have any idea how bad it'd be to put a little permatex or something similar on with an OEM style gasket?

 

[RedTurboEclipse]

There are different results it seems with the 7cm gasket that RRE and other vendors sell. You have your handful which have horror stories of them warping, turning oval, cracking, thus leak. Then you have the other handful who have no problem with them whatsoever.

I myself am part of the group with success. I originally ran a mhi big16g and it was using the very said 7cm ss gasket from RRE. when I removed it to go bigger, the gasket looked fine, and did not seem warped.

Again I install another and had no problem after inspection. i brought up this warping issue with RRE before order, and they were aware of it, and said if torqued properly it should be no problem. of course there will be owners who will have done just that and still have problems.

so i dont know. i personally never had problems with them. i use new turbo bolts and antiseize on everything when i do the install.

as far as not using any gasket, DSMJim who is a wiseman here and has a nicely setup talon claims to just use the permatex copper rtv on everything. he mentioned he used that instead of a gasket and no leaks. there is a thread where he speaks about it. the thread actually persuaded me to get some and use it on the o2 housing gasket which i didn't end up replacing and a few other exhaust areas.

you can always go with the jdm turbo gasket, has japanese writing on it so it must be good!

 

[aero_sallee]

I have been using a thin layer of grease on both flanges for the last 3-4 years. Take it easy for a few minutes of driving to get the manifold good and hot. The grease burns off and leaves a hard carbon that seals everything up and can handle the heat.
I have yet to have any exhaust leaks whatsoever through thousands of miles and 3 turbo setups.

Also no issues with the bolts backing out like I had with a stock gasket.

 

[RoasT BeeF]

I personally had my SS gasket distort and damage bolt threads on the way out of the turbo which caused them to jam and break off in the housing. I began using the regular OEM gasket and no more issues.

 

[Freerevving]

I have been using a thin layer of grease on both flanges for the last 3-4 years. Take it easy for a few minutes of driving to get the manifold good and hot. The grease burns off and leaves a hard carbon that seals everything up and can handle the heat.

I do the same thing but with copper gasket maker... and I use it on all exhaust seals...
sure, it burns and stinks a little, and I always re-torque after it's rock-hard... but I've never had a leak after using it, even with exhaust parts that needed resurfacing.

 

[99gst_racer]

In my dealings, I've experienced bolts breaking off upon removal with three different turbine housings on two different cars. All were running the 1/8" thick SS gasket. Coincidence? I think not.

I have no experience with any copper gasket (except for 38mm wastegate gaskets), but this type (below) of gasket has always worked well for me, so this is the only one I will consider using from now on:

 

[truwarrior]

Well, read a post about someone melting a copper gasket to the point where it oozed out the sides so I don't think I'll be trying the copper

I think I'll try the Permatex Copper rtv

 

[truwarrior]

Looks like I'm to late, the gasket is already bound up on the bolts after being on for only 2 weeks...

Looks like I won't be swapping out the gasket again till I upgrade the turbo...if I upgrade it...

 

[aero_sallee]

Well, read a post about someone melting a copper gasket to the point where it oozed out the sides so I don't think I'll be trying the copper

I think I'll try the Permatex Copper rtv

The melting point of copper is ~1980 degrees farenheit. If they melted that they have more pressing issues than melting the gasket.