Headers??

[Realspool]

I have exhaust leaks somewhere on the passengers side coming from the headers.I took it off along with the turbo and put it back on after the header showed no cracks whats so ever.I have the direct replacement ATR Header on the drivers side so i have no worries there.I have no idea where this thing is leaking though.I might want to upgrade to ATR headers or Poston but i don't know much about either one.The Poston's are cheaper i know.I like how the stock headers create low torque and power.I don't know maybe i have to use a gasket with the one stock header now because it is getting old or a little warped now.Is there any other place where exhaust leaks can happen like the 02 sensor or the top of the turbo oil feed line which is not real tight in my turbo.Im trying to keep myself from taking it off again.Before i used a copper gasket to the turbo to header and i thought for sure it was that but after getting rid of the copper gasket i just used some Ultra Copper but that didn't do the trick at all.

 

[charlloots]

i used atr copper gaskets with my stock headers they did the trick

 

[Realspool]

The copper gasket probably wasn't my problem because with no gasket just some Ultra Copper I have the same exhaust leak but no one can find out where the leak is.Its frustrating and the only thing i have not tried are header gaskets to the heads.

 

[zam70]

turbo to header flange? Is it a multi piece down pipe?
I had a leak, took forever to find it - it was the dump pipe cap...

 

[Realspool]

I guess its possible turbo to header flange.ya know when trying to torque these 3 bolts equally is like a guessing game.I don't know for sure but it has to be something I am doing wrong because i never had any leaks until i went out and bought a new turbo.I am a beginner with these GN' Turbo's.As far as the downpipe it is a 1 piece pipe so thats 1 thing it can't be out of all the other things it could be. I think i am just going to try putting a gasket from the manifold to the cylinder head.I have to say though it sounds very close to the turbo or the 1st runner to the cylinder head.One thing it does when cold is that you can hear it ticking but as it gets warm the ticking gets much quieter.Definately exhaust leaks though!!

 

[JToups386]

The Turbo oil feed line has nothing to do with exhaust leaks! It has oil flowing through it.

I've always used Fel-Pro exhaust manifold gaskets, anytime I take them off the car. These manifolds do warp over time, and if you have them milled flat, you're taking away the strength (per less thickness of the flange), which will in turn warp again even quicker.
There is no disadvantage to using the gaskets, and they're cheap! Even better, you don't have to remove the header to put them on the car. You can loosen the bottom bolts and just take out the top three. The gaskets are notched to rest on the bottom bolts.

Anyway, my advice is simply to always use the gaskets...

 

[Realspool]

I do have the good Fel-Pro gaskets.i just had a little trouble putting them on and tried to finish what i thought was the turbo to header leak so I over looked that gasket.I am going to put the gasket just on the passengers side where the leak is.The other side has a new direct replacement ATR header for a stock replacement. Hopefully this will take care of my exhaust leaks.Maybe thats why my brand new PTE-44 does not spool as fast as i thought it would.I will see by Sunday when i finish putting the gasket on. Thanks

 

[JToups386]

That is highly probable. Exhaust leaks will kill spoolup! Let us know what happens, as I'm curious to hear your findings.

 

[Realspool]

ok i will let you know by Sunday if the exhaust leak is fixed after i install the fel-Pro gasket.

 

[matt87]

worry about the atr drivers side, give it time, it will crack. btdt. i had it welded and its been fine since. i have the postons too on one car, i like them and no cracks to date.

 

[Realspool]

well there is no doubt it is leaking from the passenger's side header but i will check the other side with the ATR direct replacement header even though that header has only about 5,000 miles on it.anyway since i have not really checked them i will check both sides.Yaever know. thanks

 

[matt87]

i had a passenger side start to leak before. it was a hairline crack almsot all the way around one of the ridges about in the middle. also i would have them checked with an a staight piece of steel like the ones to check for head warpage. if they are warped you can do gaskets till your blue in the face and it may never seal. good luck and keep us posted.

 

[gnxtc2]

Here is an easy trick to find your exhaust leaks

Fill up one of those oil squirters with ATF. Unplug one of the vacuum lines and stick the end of the aquirter over the vacuum line. Squirt the ATF into the line and the vacuum will suck the ATF into the motor. The exhaust will start to smoke white. The smoke will then to start to escape from all the exhaust leaks. You will be suprised of all the leaks you will find.

Don't worry the ATF does no harm. To clear up the smoke just rev the motor or drive the car.

Hope this helps.

Billy T.
gnxtc2@aol.com

 

[Realspool]

Thats a new tip i never heard before.Is the ATF some kind of oil???,i have never bought ATF before.Do alot of guys try this?.i know you said it won't hurt anything but i have a brand new turbo on there now.Which rubber hose is best to take off??Would the tubo rubber line from the Racegate I have, do the job or is that to far from the headers??Thanks alot for the advice.

 

[Turbo Brian]

ATF=Automatic Transmission Fluid

 

[Realspool]

ok thanks for the tip about the Automatic transmission fluid.

 

[Realspool]

Hey Brian I wanted to ask you about your TE-44 Turbo.Where did you buy this turbo from??Im just asking because i use to own a big 60-1 Turbo that had so much lag i sold it.It sucked for a street car.But i have a new TE-44 Turbo that i purchased from Precision and i think for a TE-44 although it spools alot quicker then my 60-1 turbo,I still feel like the Precision exhaust housing is a little to big and creates a bit more lag on the street then lets say a Garret .63 exhaust housing..I was thinking of switching to a .63 Garret housing which is much smaller and has more street manners.I may have a bit more engine then you.I have ESP cnc ported Race heads,ESP front mount intercooler,2800 or 300 stock upgraded converter,estimated around 550 Horses. Just wondering what make is your Turbo and does it spool real fast?? thanks

 

[matt87]

Real spool, your 44 even with the precision housing should spool very fast. a 60-1 is not big by any means, i have one i should know. it spools scary fast even with an .82 housing. you may be over rich, or your leaks are killing the spool. i would also confirm that you have a correct d-5 converter.

 

[bruce]

Originally posted by Realspool
I have the direct replacement ATR Header on the drivers side so i have no worries there.

I looked for 2 years to find a leak, and it was the ATR header. INSIDE the collector they forgot to weld up about an inch of the seam between two pipes.....

I installed some Postons today.
Lowered the underhood temps a bunch!, that coating works.

 

[Realspool]

Matt87.I was surprised ,didn't know you had a 60-1 Turbocharger.I was told that turbo was a Dinosaur and that old turbo was old turbo technology so I sold mine and gota PTE-44 from Precision.I had to build alot of boost with my 60-1 just to get it off the line but still was very sluggish but the PTE-44 is much better but not perfect until i fix my exhaust leaks and tune the car. with my stock D5 3000 converter.Ya know i wonder if it is a realD5 at times.I know you like big turbo's but?? You said it spooled scary fast with the same converter that you had.Which turbo do you like better especially if you were to put it in your every day street car.The 60-1 or TE-44 Turbo??