2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.
Sponsored by:

make your own Turbo gaskets? cheaper alternative?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-09-13, 11:14 AM
  #1  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
GrossPolluter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: CA
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
make your own Turbo gaskets? cheaper alternative?

I'm looking at the prices on these turbo gaskets and they are ridiculous! I need the turbo-downpipe gasket and its looking like $50! I looked at the prices for engine - manifold and manifold-turbo, and the prices are insanely pricey. I've used copper silicone before and it doesn't work

Anyone know an aftermarket company that makes a good replacement?

How about making your own material that would hold up?
Old 10-09-13, 11:20 AM
  #2  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
GrossPolluter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: CA
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Just a note, because I know some people are going to swear by rtv silicone. I used to also! I took my turbo setup apart recently and saw black leakage area from turbo to downpipe. I did not see it from my manifold-turbo, probably because this is a multilayer gasket that is ok to reuse. My downpipe gasket is probably an origion RB gasket the precious owner had
Old 10-09-13, 11:22 AM
  #3  
Rotary Power

iTrader: (15)
 
wthdidusay82's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Dinwiddie, Va
Posts: 3,706
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
You can sometimes find good used gaskets for sale if you ask around.

I got an s5 Turbo to manifold gasket and a backplate with bolts for $25 shipped.
Old 10-09-13, 11:33 AM
  #4  
Moderator

iTrader: (3)
 
j9fd3s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Posts: 30,802
Received 2,577 Likes on 1,831 Posts
the OE gaskets are $$, but they last the life of the car vs 10 minutes for the aftermarket junk.
Old 10-09-13, 12:17 PM
  #5  
FC guy

iTrader: (8)
 
Rob XX 7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Long Island, New York
Posts: 8,714
Received 16 Likes on 16 Posts
I dont think I recall anyone ever suggesting RTV for the turbo gasket
Old 10-09-13, 12:25 PM
  #6  
Sharp Claws

iTrader: (30)
 
RotaryEvolution's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 0
Received 41 Likes on 40 Posts
the OEM non turbo gaskets with the fire ring will survive, not quite as long as an OEM but they do work if you're a cheap ****.

who really thinks silicone could withstand 1600F? come on...
Old 10-10-13, 11:26 AM
  #7  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
GrossPolluter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: CA
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by RotaryEvolution
the OEM non turbo gaskets with the fire ring will survive, not quite as long as an OEM but they do work if you're a cheap ****.

who really thinks silicone could withstand 1600F? come on...
I've actually searched old posts and I read a ton of replies with people using it. I've tried it on my downpipe with my original gasket, and I could see where it leaked after taking it apart.

Well my buddy was telling me about using copper sheets to make gaskets. The reason is because there is no gasket for the plate at the turbo that bolts to the exhaust side. I am going to make a Bellmouthed downpipe and I need to make a gasket to seal that area. After the welding it might be a little off. I believe that stock piece looks cast, then machined flat on the mating surface
Old 10-10-13, 11:30 AM
  #8  
Rotary Power

iTrader: (15)
 
wthdidusay82's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Dinwiddie, Va
Posts: 3,706
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
I'm telling ya man try the classifieds, even Craigslist for some used ones, there's some sittng somewhere collecting dust that have no use to the owner.

I sold my extra Turbo manifold to block gasket for like 25 shipped.
Old 10-10-13, 11:35 AM
  #9  
Sharp Claws

iTrader: (30)
 
RotaryEvolution's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 0
Received 41 Likes on 40 Posts
Originally Posted by GrossPolluter
I've actually searched old posts and I read a ton of replies with people using it. I've tried it on my downpipe with my original gasket, and I could see where it leaked after taking it apart.

Well my buddy was telling me about using copper sheets to make gaskets. The reason is because there is no gasket for the plate at the turbo that bolts to the exhaust side. I am going to make a Bellmouthed downpipe and I need to make a gasket to seal that area. After the welding it might be a little off. I believe that stock piece looks cast, then machined flat on the mating surface
you would be better off welding the bellmouth to the turbo backplate and welding a V-band onto that.

copper won't work for turbo rotary exhaust either.
Old 10-10-13, 01:07 PM
  #10  
FC guy

iTrader: (8)
 
Rob XX 7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Long Island, New York
Posts: 8,714
Received 16 Likes on 16 Posts
Originally Posted by GrossPolluter
I've actually searched old posts and I read a ton of replies with people using it. I've tried it on my downpipe with my original gasket, and I could see where it leaked after taking it apart.
link me please- no one questioned this advice?
Old 10-10-13, 04:30 PM
  #11  
FD Daily

iTrader: (26)
 
K-Tune's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Gulf Breeze, FL
Posts: 3,308
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes on 13 Posts
Originally Posted by GrossPolluter
I've actually searched old posts and I read a ton of replies with people using it.
Old 10-10-13, 04:37 PM
  #12  
Sharp Claws

iTrader: (30)
 
RotaryEvolution's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 0
Received 41 Likes on 40 Posts
i've seen people try using it, the only remnants of it's existence was the junk that oozed out during assembly and even that stuff is half baked and not quite silicone anymore.
Old 10-10-13, 04:47 PM
  #13  
Warheads on foreheads!

iTrader: (8)
 
MIDNFauciUSN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Back in Jax!
Posts: 1,730
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
yeah dude... i'll sell you a brand new one for 25 bucks!
Old 10-11-13, 11:39 AM
  #14  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
GrossPolluter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: CA
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Rob XX 7
link me please- no one questioned this advice?
difference-between-s4-s5-turbo-downpipe-gaskets-754624
The other posts I saw was diferent and there were quite a few forum members saying they also used rtv copper silicone

I searched "turbo rtv". I'm sure there are plenty of others
Old 10-11-13, 05:53 PM
  #15  
Sharp Claws

iTrader: (30)
 
RotaryEvolution's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 0
Received 41 Likes on 40 Posts
the S5 downpipe gasket is a multi layer steel type, the S4 is the older style asbestos sandwich type.
Old 10-12-13, 10:28 AM
  #16  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
GrossPolluter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: CA
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
You don't think copper sheets will hold up huh?
Old 10-12-13, 03:54 PM
  #17  
Sharp Claws

iTrader: (30)
 
RotaryEvolution's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 0
Received 41 Likes on 40 Posts
the results were not stellar when i fabricated a gasket from 1/16" copper sheet.
Old 10-12-13, 04:07 PM
  #18  
PedoBear

iTrader: (4)
 
nycgps's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Bye NYC. you SUCKED!
Posts: 1,429
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
You drive an rx and you said a 50 bux gasket that last the life of the is "ridiculous"?

What a cheap ****
Old 10-12-13, 07:30 PM
  #19  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
GrossPolluter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: CA
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by nycgps
You drive an rx and you said a 50 bux gasket that last the life of the is "ridiculous"?

What a cheap ****
It is quite pricey for what it is considering you can get gaskets for diferent turbo flanges for half the price, but I should have posted the main reason I am asking this question I am making a bell mouthed downpipe. There is no gasket available for that flange because it's machined. But I would even like to add a gasket anyways even if I wasn't. These turbos are all old and cracked, etc, etc

But seriously calling me cheap! If it takes me one hour to make this gasket, because I actually do my own work unlike a lot of people, it would be worth it. I get the material for free. It will probably take me a good 30 minutes to make it. Sorry, but I don't make $100 per hour, if I did, I would not care.

I am one of those guys that likes to change all the gaskets after I remove something. I know they can be reused. But considering you can spend over 200 under 300 on gaskets alone for turbo connections including lines, that is pretty pricey. And saying you can reuse a gasket doesn't mean that after 24 years or so, it's still ok, their not lifetime.
Old 10-12-13, 08:19 PM
  #20  
Sharp Claws

iTrader: (30)
 
RotaryEvolution's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 0
Received 41 Likes on 40 Posts
it's cast iron and about 3/4" thick, it doesn't need a gasket.
Old 10-13-13, 10:25 AM
  #21  
FC guy

iTrader: (8)
 
Rob XX 7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Long Island, New York
Posts: 8,714
Received 16 Likes on 16 Posts
Just make your own gasket and let us know how it works out, we can either wait for 3 more people to say buy used and call you cheap or you can prove us wrong.

You answered it yourself- half hour of your time and free materials- so go for it
Old 10-13-13, 10:28 AM
  #22  
Rotary Power

iTrader: (15)
 
wthdidusay82's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Dinwiddie, Va
Posts: 3,706
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Honestly the turbo gaskets really aren't something you want to take a chance andd chince/skimp on, reason being entirely that if it does turn out to be waste a waste of time you will be spending hours uninstalling an reinstalling everything again, the Turbo is not easily taken off at all, and will usually require taking off the entire intake manifold.
Old 10-14-13, 08:58 AM
  #23  
FC guy

iTrader: (8)
 
Rob XX 7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Long Island, New York
Posts: 8,714
Received 16 Likes on 16 Posts
He doesn't seem to be looking at the whole picture
Old 10-14-13, 11:00 AM
  #24  
Rotary Power

iTrader: (15)
 
wthdidusay82's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Dinwiddie, Va
Posts: 3,706
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
I only re-used my old one because it looked fine to use again, the Turbo gaskets are expensive but the saying "you get what you pay for" definitely applies to these gaskets.

NA exhaust manifold gaskets are easier to replace so those I wouldn't worry about as much.
Old 10-14-13, 02:49 PM
  #25  
Warheads on foreheads!

iTrader: (8)
 
MIDNFauciUSN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Back in Jax!
Posts: 1,730
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
Buy new! 25 shipped dude... I'm almost GIVING it to you!


Quick Reply: make your own Turbo gaskets? cheaper alternative?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:21 PM.