Copper or 4-layer Exhaust Manifold Gasket?

[chico904]

I bought an EVO III exhaust manifold, and am trying to choose which gasket to use. I am not considering the SS gasket due to what I have heard on here.
Anyone have preferences on which to use? I am leaning toward the FFWD copper gasket.

 

[Mr PopUps]

Im leaning towards the one you can buy from Fel-Pro. Its all i ever used, and its cheaper. The multilayer ones tend to blow out and not allow torque to set. But then i also drilled and tapped my head so i could use SS allen head bolts.

 

[fwdmaster]

FFWD copper exhaust manifold gasket FTW, I'm using one with my Fp manifold with great results/seal

 

[SHEARER_TSI]

I run one as well.

 

[dsmfa9nutter]

I ran/run one, and then it melted/oozed out the side. Guess my egts were too high for it. I used a SS gasket before, it doesn't seal correctly unless you use the stock transition ring, no amount of tightening got rid of the small exhaust leak. Next up is a stock evoIII mls 7cm gasket which I anticipate will seal perfectly as it's oem.

 

[chico904]

Thanks guys, i think I will get the FFWD copper one.

 

[mosul210]

I currently run the FFWD copper gasket and it seems to work well. I do have a related question however, I will be removing the head soon so would I need to replace the gasket? or are these gaskets re-usable?

 

[knochgoon24]

Copper ones crush to get a good seal, much like a crush washer. They are a 1 time use deal.

 

[snowborder714]

I believe my brother found out the FFWD copper gasket is just a rebranded one you can get from Summit Racing. I think the brand was Specialty Component Engineering (SCE).

 

[TSIMonsteR]

It is SCE and I have never had good luck with their gaskets. I had all 3. Head to manifold, manifold to turbo, and turbo to o2 housing.

I had them on for maybe 5k miles. When I took it off to install my FP Mani they were torn in several places and were leaking... all 3.

Since then, I've used OEM style gaskets with no leaks and no problems. This is just my experience. I'm not sure what went wrong.. many people have had good luck with them, but they're plenty that stay away from copper gaskets all together.

 

[mitsu_matt]

I have used the Fel-Pro gasket with copper spray with great results. Also I was able to reuse it twice!

 

[andy4g63]

Ther is a reason, WHY FP uses multi layer gaskets between turbo and mani. They DO NOT recommend, or sell the flat thicker single piece gaskets... Think twice. Mitsu 4 layer OEM/Evo is yout friend.

 

[chico904]

Ther is a reason, WHY FP uses multi layer gaskets between turbo and mani. They DO NOT recommend, or sell the flat thicker single piece gaskets... Think twice. Mitsu 4 layer OEM/Evo is yout friend.

Yeah that is the gasket I plan on getting for the manifold to the turbo. I'm just trying to decide on the gasket from the manifold to the head.

 

[romeen]

Yeah that is the gasket I plan on getting for the manifold to the turbo. I'm just trying to decide on the gasket from the manifold to the head.

I would also recommend the 4 layer gasket. I am using the 4 layer mls gasket from RRE. Working perfectly for me.


FWIW, one other option you can consider is the Remflex crush type graphite gasket.

MITSUBISHI Header/Exhaust Manifold Gasket

For the most part they have developed a very good reputation. However, some of the Subaru guys have had problems with blowout in the pre-turbine locations. Maybe too much exhaust pressure in these locations.(?)

 

[chico904]

MITSUBISHI Header/Exhaust Manifold Gasket


I've never seen that before, but it sounds good, and it comes with a 6 month warranty.



Remflex Performance Promise

• Seals Warped Flanges:

Remflex exhaust gaskets come in a standard 1/8-inch thickness and are designed to crush 50%. This allows them to fill gaps in the flange surface up to 1/16-inch! Remflex Performance Promise


• Won't Burn Out:

100% flexible graphite construction means Remflex gaskets are good for up to 3,000 degrees F—far exceeding that of any vehicle's exhaust system temperature!

• No Re-Torquing Necessary:

Remflex exhaust gaskets rebound 30%, creating an optimum seal that eliminates the need to re-torque!


About Remflex
Remflex's unique flexible graphite material has been proven for more than 30 years in industrial applications, where temperatures routinely exceed 2,000 degrees—day after day, week after week, year after year. Now, we're bringing this technology to enthusiasts of all kinds to eliminate exhaust leaks for good! Whether you have an old pick-up that needs a manifold gasket, or a race car with custom-built headers, you can be assured that Remflex exhaust gaskets will work properly the first time, every time.

The Science

Remflex gaskets work because they solve the two main problems associated with sealing an exhaust flange: Warping, and gasket failure.

Warped Reality

A common misconception is that, if you spend a lot of money for high-quality headers with thick flanges, leaks will not be an issue. In truth, a thicker flange does help, but it can't solve the problem of warping altogether. Constant thermal cycling, especially in high performance and/or high-load environments, causes warping of header flanges and cast iron exhaust manifolds--even the exhaust flange of the cylinder head itself.

Once the sealing surface is warped, leaks are imminent—and once there is a leak, pitting of the exhaust port sealing surface usually follows. A new set of average gaskets won't fix the problem—but Remflex gaskets, with a 50% crush built in—can seal gaps as large as 1/16-inch. And unlike traditional gaskets, they won't shrink, so they never require re-torquing.

If you can't take the heat...

Curiously, the number one cause of exhaust gasket failure is heat—the very thing exhaust gaskets are supposed to withstand. That's because traditional exhaust gaskets are made of composite materials—blends of natural fibers and synthetic compounds that are bound together using rubber. Simply put, it's only a matter of time until the extreme temperature in the vehicle's exhaust system burns the gasket's composite materials away, resulting in an exhaust leak.

You've no doubt experienced the pungent odor that arises from the engine compartment after you install a new set of the top-brand exhaust gaskets. That's the smell of the rubber binders in the composite materials that begin to burn out almost immediately. And once the rubber overheats, it begins to shrink, as well has harden. That's why you are instructed to re-torque the gaskets regularly, and why an exhaust leak will develop if you don't. Remflex exhaust gaskets are made from 100% flexible graphite and can withstand up to 3,000 degrees F—so they are not affected by exhaust system, and won't burn out, shrink, or leak. Not now, not ever!

 

[andy4g63]

I have reused my old 4 layer for at least three times, over 10K miles. I had it replaced 1year ago and actually remove the manifold again at least three times... It is still perfect, seals like new.

BTW how much is that copper one??? Mitsu 4 layer is like $24, so I don't know

 

[housegsx]

I use the 4 layer with good results so far. EvoIII mani.

 

[chico904]

Thanks for the help guys. I searched on here about the Remflex one, but didn't find anything on it. I figure I will go with that one, and do a full review on it since there isn't one on it. Hell, if it blows out in 6 months, its covered anyways.

 

[954TalonTsi]

I've used the copper gasket and have not had any problems at all.

 

[chico904]

I just ordered the REMFLEX gasket. I will post a full review with updates when I install it with the EVOIII manifold.

 

[SHEARER_TSI]

I am interested to see the results, as I am always looking for something better.

 

[DECODER22]

I just ordered the REMFLEX gasket. I will post a full review with updates when I install it with the EVOIII manifold.

so how was the remflex????