Did a quick search but thought I would ask to see if there is any more info on header gaskets for a turbo setup. My setup consists of SLP tubular headers and Felpro 1406's. I am not running the locks on the header bolts (lost most of them) and need to retighten these fasteners just about every time out. On the first occasion I noticed the turbo wasn't spooling like it did running up through the gears - found one bolt about two turns out with the rest significantly loose as well. Even with the bolts tightened up real good, I still don't feel it's boosting like it did.

So are locking header bolts the answer and just run another set of 1406's? Is there a far superior gasket out there that I could run instead that will hold up better with all of the exhaust pressure?

Thanks,
Scott.

 

remflex

 

What did the boost gauge show?

 

I have run pretty much everything out there. Only one has worked with 0 issues.

Get the percy's split lock bolts - used to be made by another big company that went under. The other stupid ones with locking washers don't ever fit and are a pain in the ***.

Copper d port gaskets. I do not run any rtv on them. I trashed a set of percys "carbon turbo" gaskets in under 2 miles. Felpro,,, lol. I had a local shop cut soft aluminum ones for me thinking they would seal better - when it gets real hot it sort of melts, sort of turns to powder. Trashed them in just a couple of miles.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll look into those.

jsetzer - Which Copper's do you recommend?

Jon - I was running 10-12psi depending on WG setting. Now I have to keep cranking the WG screw in and struggle to get 8psi. The turbo 'sounds' real weak too spooling up during normal acceleration. Pretty sure the gaskets are gone and I'm sure the bolts backing out didn't do the Felpro's any favors.

Thanks,
Scott.

 

earl's pressure master

 

These are what I run, they sealed the best. And they have replacable inserts that you can buy for like 25 bucks.
They are aluminum framed with carbon inserts.

I used perceys at first but they blew out really bad on 7psi.

Jay

 

perceys dead soft are junk, they leak like crazy because you never get enough compression in the right spots.

The earls gaskets are thicker around the ports (the inserts). So you get much more pressure where it counts.

 

just red rtv here! i was skeptical at first but now im a believer! lol!

 

Get a set of Remflex gaskets they will seal completely even if your flanges are warped a little bit.

 

those remflex look nice too, ultra copper FTW!!!

 

What kind of flanges are you running? Believe it or not, I'm running stock LT1 exhaust manifold gaskets(fel pro) and they've been holding up fine. Everyday after the initial install, I went and retightened the bolts and eventually none could be, nor needed, retightened. No leaks!

 

Thats what I am running, but I have only had the car out 5 times.

 

Felpros worked for me for a little while, but not long.

I'm running a t70 pushed to the rugged edge, so my backpressure is through the roof. If I as only running say 10psi then all the extra exhaust would go out the wastegate. My gate doesn't open at higher rpms.

 

+1

I have a cast stock manifold on the pas side and i heat cycled and tightened the bolts. The bolts are still tight but i blew the felpro gasket out, literally there are shreds of gasket sticking out between the mani and the head.