Well, the last day and a half I have spent taking out my cats, emissions, and turbo. I am planning on porting the wastegate soon, as the turbo is sitting in my garage now. After that is done I am going to put in my Thunderfabrications downpipe/midpipe.

However, I am looking at the exhaust gaskets and wondering if they are reusable. There are three gaskets that I am looking at:

1. Engine to Exhaust Manifold
2. Exhaust Manifold to Turbo
3. Turbo to downpipe

None of these gaskets are cracked, and they worked great when on the car. They seem to be in good condition. I checked Mazdatrix and it would cost me well over 100 dollars to replace all three. My question is: Are there any alternatives to replacing these gaskets? (i.e. Reuse them?) They look fine, and it seems that I may be able to reuse some of them.

I know about paying to play and everything, but I'm just trying to get a few suggestions as to what other people have done. I am willing to spend the money if that is the only way.

Thanks a lot,

- Eliot

 

I know for a fact that the turbo to downpipe "gasket" can be reused. It's often termed as a plate or something...

I haven't done it myself, but the other two can be reused if they are in good shape. (I have sold these gaskets used before ) For extra insurance, autoshops use a copper silicon compound. You might want that stuff in there for extra insurance.

 

I think I will reuse the turbo to downpipe gasket and buy new gaskets for the other two.

Thanks for the info,

- Eliot

 

my understanding is that you CANNOT reuse the turbo/downpipe gasket as it is a steel layered one that is designed to crush when you bolt your stuff on. i was griping about this all last week when i ordered my downpipe without the $43 gasket from racing beat and ended up having to get it anyway.

 

heh, I got some aftermarket gaskets from drivewire.com that seem to have done the trick for me... (and they are pretty inexpencive, something like $8 each)

 

yeah, but with an NA you're dealing with completely different gaskets and tempertures.

i dont have much money to spend on my car but it was stressed to me that of all things that needs to be done right, exhaust was one of them, and i couldnt go cheap on doing gaskets.

im curious if i coulda reused the one i had though, it didnt look so good.

 

The turbo to DP "gasket" doesn't seem to crush. The other two gaskets he mentioned do crush.

 

The turbo downpipe is made of three pieces of metal i believe. If it is made of metal it is designe to crush fit.

Mazdaformance.com has cheaper gaskets than mazdatrix. Heck, they have cheaper everthing stock than mazdatrix. They even have parts diagrams

You just said you spent 1.5 days pulling all that stuff off. I would hate for you to have to do it all over again trouble shooting an exhaust leak.

I am curious about that copper stuff? I am just shooting from the hip but I dont see how anything from a tube will help seal something that glows red hot. Except anti sieze compond on the threads

James

 

Well guys, I think you all are right. I am going to take the initiative and get all new gaskets. I suppose I will go to the Mazda dealer and see how much they will run me there. I heard that Mazdatrix is cheaper...we will see.

Thanks,

- Eliot

 

Either way you go is fine with me, but I reused the dp "gasket" with no problem two times. I know I'm not the only one who's done this.

 

Ask yourself three questions: 1. How much money have I spent on this project? 2. Is spending the money for new gaskets and doing the job right the first time worth waiting? 3. Will I have to pull the exhaust again if the old gaskets don't work?

 

I reused all my exhaust gaskets and none leak.