so i got this megan racing manifold and metal gaskets with the turbo kit from the rx7 store....i finally go and start the car after 5 months with the engine out and the turbo kit installed and I have a fat exhaust leak right between were the manifold meets the block. .so I uninstall the turbo kit and find that the manifold has some shotty welds and the metal gasket dont seem to be flush on the block. Is there any alternatives I can use to seal this exhaust leak. I dont like using sealants much due to the mess it makes and they dont seem to hold up to that much heat. I was thinking of doubling up on the gaskets. Or is it just a shitty manifold?

 

youre saying that the manifold doesn't fit flush or that the gasket doesn't?

if it's the manifold, you could take it to a machine shop and see if they can mill it flush... if it's the gasket, you could try the graphite gaskets. pineapple racing has 'em:
http://www.pineappleracing.com/index...PROD&ProdID=77

best of luck!

 

Sealants will burn up for sure. You might be able to flatten the face of the manifold using a very large belt sander, blanchard grinder or milling machine. (You'll have to visit a machine shop for that)

Doubling the OEM gaskets is a great idea. I have used the pineapple gaskets and they aren't very durable when used in an area with high backpressure, and here you're talking the point of highest backpressure in the engine. I personally have had good luck using SCE embossed copper gaskets because they can crush from .08" down to .04" around the embossed ring. I'm using the 3" 2-bolt SCE gaskets for the exhaust joints, but they also make a manifold gasket:
http://www.scegaskets.com/SCE-Pro-Co...30194-1-2.html

One or two of those should easily take up any warpage.

Dave

 

+1

 

I had a similar problem with my manifold. It appeared as if it had warped a bit (possibly from being welded up too fast???) and I had to take it to a machine shop to true it up. That is really the best way to fix your problem instead of band-aiding it with several gaskets. You may also just try contacting RX7store, explain the problem to them and see what they can do.

degeesaman, thank for that link!! One of my manifold gaskets is bad and I need a replacement. The oem's are ridiculously expensive!! I think they are around $98 EACH from Ray.

 

Give me a call if you are having problems with it. Like others have said check to see if its the gaskets or the actual manifold. I can always swap it out if there is a manifold issue.

Jason

 

I figured it was only a matter of time he popped in here...

 

alot of people have bad experiences with megan racing. especially there suspension parts. like your problem its usually because of a shitty weld. there are whole threads devoted to complaints about megan racing

 

We have not had any major issues with the Megan manifolds and we have been using them for along time. That is the main reason we can keep the price down on our kits. If we were having a lot of complaints or problems I wouldnt use them, as its not worth the headache.

 

so when something like this arise what does the company do for the customer?

 

I need to know what the exact problem is then I can resolve it.

 

I have the same manifold and problem. There is a lot of noise coming from my manifold as well. My brother said that the tubular manifold would be noisy so I didn't think anything at first. I also contributed the exhaust leak noise to the known leak at the downpipe to midpipe. I just picked up two gaskets and since it wasn't off by much double gasketing was all that was needed. I'm interested in what you do to solve this so keep the thread updated. I really don't want my brother to have to take it all apart again or have the down time so I'm thinking of trying to double gasket the manifold as well. I'll post up what I do and how it works when I get it done.

 

You getting a leak at the block or at the turbo?

 

im getting my leak at that block..i also just realized my new 35r has slight shaft play. Is supposed to have a little play? All it has done is idle. I am thinking of taking the turbo to atp turbo to have them take a look at it to be safe. The car hasnt even came off the jacks yet since i received the kit. I am gonna order new bolts and fasteners that go into the block and see if that helps with the leak problem. I did put the manifold on a flat surface and there is a small gap on one side. The downpipe that I also reciieved has some warping issue at the flange so I will have to double up on gaskets also

 

hes gonna have to take it apart again..i have done it 3 time trying to fix it so i am trouble shooting every little thing i can to avoid the whole exchange thing

 

try a remflex exhaust gasket. i am running one and it works great.

 

There is some shaft play in the GT35R which is normal. Dont worry about that.

If you have the manifold off set it on a known flat surface and check it. Its possible it may need to be decked, but we have never had to do that before.

 

My brother noticed the very slight shaft play and mine runs great no problems. I've been beating on it a little bit and have dyno'd it already. I'm having a blast with it every time I drive. I'm not sure where the leak is yet just started narrowing things down this morning. I'll give you a call tomorrow Jason, and I'm pleased to see your involvement in this thread.