quick easy question, j-pipe gasket

[MyBeatGSX]

The OEM J-pipe gasket has that center circle that's raised to one side. Does this raised side go towards the turbo or towards the pipe? Does it matter? What's it even there for? No guesses please, I don't need it blowing out 2 days later.

 

[andymoraitis]

I haven't run a 16G in a while, but I always put mine facing towards the j-pipe since the air stream moved in that direction and it never leaked. Then again, I also liked to use a thin bead of RTV around both sides of the gasket as well.

 

[MyBeatGSX]

Dejon sent me a felt (sp?) gasket with the FMIC kit and like an idiot I used that instead of reusing my OEM metal one. For some reason one of the bolts backed off a little and the gasket blew in half (it makes the most insanely loud turbo sound EVER! ).

That leads me to a new question, why would that bolt back off? I've never had to locktite them before.

 

[92awddsm]

The silicone seal(raised circle) is designged to face against the flange that is most likely to distort when torqued. In this case, it would go against the j-pipe. The cast and machine compressor housing is less likely to distort than the thin flange on the j-pipe when torqued, heated, etc. And as Andy stated, it isnt a bad idea to use a thin layer of rtv on both sides. It doesnt take much, just smear a paper thin coat on both sides. And I suggest using either hondabond or permatex ultra gray instead or the red or blue permatex.

 

[MyBeatGSX]

Perfect

Now I just have to drive around for another 3 days with a blown out gasket before I can get home and put the new one in.