CART0410 Posted July 16, 2007 Share Posted July 16, 2007 I was wondering what exhaust manifold gaskets have been found to work well in a high heat turbo applications. I have an L28 motor with a t-3/t-4 turbo running 15Lb’s boost. I have gone through 2 “OEM†gaskets from NISMO they don’t hold up. I have checked for straight and have ordered all new hardware. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matadem Posted July 16, 2007 Share Posted July 16, 2007 I had this problem but with another type of car went thru allot of gaskets....the problem was that the manifold was bend... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HizAndHerz Posted July 16, 2007 Share Posted July 16, 2007 Yep, the long I6 manifold tends to warp over time. You can check the exhaust manifold with a straight edge and you'll probably find it is warped. A machine will charge $25 to $40 to mill it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 Graphite Based Gaskets? If you've 'burned through' I suspect as said above something is warped and allowing channeling. Stock OEM gaskets have worked for me for 20+ years running a tad more boost than you do, and I know of some others running even more boost than I with no problems on the Stock L28ET Graphoil Gaskets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparks280zt Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 I was wondering what exhaust manifold gaskets have been found to work well in a high heat turbo applications. I have an L28 motor with a t-3/t-4 turbo running 15Lb’s boost. I have gone through 2 “OEM†gaskets from NISMO they don’t hold up. I have checked for straight and have ordered all new hardware.Thanks His post says he has checked for straight, I assume that means straigtness of the manifold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 Regardless of stated tests done, things change. And as I stated, I'm running well more boost than he has for many years and have never had a problem with the L28ET Graphoil Gasket. Which is why I mention that gasket specifically....for him to confirm that indeed that is the gasket he is using. If it's not, and is simply one of the composite "OEM Nissan" gaskets, then I'd suggest he get one of the OEM Nissan L28ET Graphoil Gaskets and give it a try---it is specially constructed and can stand well up to almost 0.100" warpage and still seal to 18psi! It's a thick, sticky, metal reinforced sukka! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CART0410 Posted July 18, 2007 Author Share Posted July 18, 2007 I have checked straigtness of the manifold, It is ok. The Gaskets I have bought from NISMO are some sort of paper construction. They became hot and brittle. after removing they crumbled in my hand. This process started when I need to change my head gasket over the winter. The manifold gasket I removed was more of a graphite with metal layers, but I do not know who made it, that is why I thought I'll just get one from NISMO can't go wrong. WRONG! So now with manifold off for the 3rd time I really wanna find a gasket that will work. I contacted SCE gaskets they recommended making me a graphite gasket but wanted $300.00 to draw it. Fel-Pro seems to make a gasket that is getting mixed reviews. Does anyone else have a suggestion. If so include where to get. Also I have a P90 head with square exhaust ports. THANKS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-Gad Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 Order the stock Nissan gasket from the dealer for the 82-83 280zx turbo. It will be the type you removed (graphite/metal construction). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cygnusx1 Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 Tony D thanks for that tid bit as I may be shopping for a new ex. manifold gasket very soon... Graphoil turned up no results in google though? Any sources you might suggest? Aha!!! I found it. http://www.grafoil-gaskets.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 Yep, Nissan OEM 82-83 Turbo Gasket. Last one I bought cost me $50 or something like that, I heard locally they were now in the $80 range. Still cheaper than having a custom Graphite one made for $300. Especially when the Nissan one is so good. I suspected when you said 'NISMO' that it was a composite gasket, and not a graphite-based one. The NISMO gaskets are more for headers and ported heads where you have to trim the ports to match. It is an absolute BEAR to trim the Grafoil units due to the metal reinforcement in the center of the layers. I've found if it needs to be done using small tin snips to rough out the holes and a grinding stone on a die grinder for cleanup is the best method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 Is the HEAD warped? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spork Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 yes, check the head as well. I've seen the mating flanges warped on the head as well as the manifold on several heads that have come through our shop. It's not always the fault of the manifold or the gasket. I also recoomend the stock nissan gasket. It has worked great for me and I've run some pretty hot exhaust temps in the past Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihatejoefitz Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 I have heard of people having good results going gasketless. http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=103341&highlight=exhaust+manifold+gasket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators BRAAP Posted July 19, 2007 Administrators Share Posted July 19, 2007 Is the HEAD warped? Good point Jon. If the manifold gasket surface on the head was prepped using one of those spinning scotch brite pads on and angle die grinder, (metal remover extraordinaire), the surface will have waves big enough to surf and subsequent gasket failure is imminent. If that be the case, the head should be removed and properly surfaced at a machine shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CART0410 Posted July 19, 2007 Author Share Posted July 19, 2007 The head is straight. I really think it was the junk NISMO paper gasket. Called Nissan ordered both the 14035-P7100 & the 14035-N3500 parts guy could not specify which was for turbo Head. Yesterday I also ordered all three gaskets Autozone carries (Fel-Pro, ROL, Beck-Arnley) gonna do a side by side comparison. May the best Gasket WIN!!! Thanks for all the help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spork Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 14035-n3500 is the correct gasket for the turbo manifolds! I went and checked my stash out in the shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nienberg.11 Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 Does the gasket fail at one specific point? I burned a hole through mine near the #6 exhaust runner and it turned out that there was a bolt loose there. A badly sealed area from a warped manifold or head would would show up the same way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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