Ok so I figured out where my massive exhaust leak is coming from. Again it's a 87 TII we're talking about.

I don't know how, or if any of you have seen this before, but the two bottom bolts for the turbo manifold not only popped the locknuts off, they were literally ripped right out of the block. This effectively left the top of the turbo manifold bolted to the block but the bottom of the manifold is now hanging off slightly, creating maybe a 2-3 mm gap beteen the manifold and the turbo, but still enough to make it sound like absolute crap and it's only spooling around 3500 whereas before it would start spooling at 2500 as it did originally.

I have a good amount of mechanical experience, but number one, has anyone seen the bolts yanked out of the block itself? And number two, what's the most effective way of putting them back? Should I utilize a helicoil type system where I overbore it by 2 millimeters and use an artificial thread insert? I'm open to suggestions, i'm just tired of my car sounding like a giant lawnmower.

Help appreciated, thanks

 

Helicoils are the standard for any threads on and aluminum aircraft part. I have used them with great success. The old bolts could have heat stressed. Make sure there is no restriction in the exhaust and the timing is correct. Two possible causes of excessive exhaust heat.

 

Now when you say restriction what do you mean? My cat's gutted but I don't really consider it a restriction. I bought the car with a little bit of a put to it and it progressively got worse over a good period of 6 months little by little. Recently (2-3 month span) I gotten to where its a loud put which makes it sound almost like i'm running headers. I had no clue what it was for awhile because one night the bolts just went on me and it has gotten to the point that it's at now. The bottom of the manifold is white and corroded and there's evidence everywhere of a lot of heat. We've worked out the overheating problems since then so now it won't be a problem I just need to change the gasket and drive new bolts into it.