Gasket or no Gasket?!

[1HOTSVO]

Gasket or no Gasket?!
I hear a lot of noise about people using gasket and some not. I hear, “every 2.3T I’ve bought has had a gasket.” And “2.3T are not suppose to use gaskets, that can not handle the high boost.”
I currently have my header and turbo off. I bought all copper gaskets from ATR. I am running 18lbs on the street and 22lbs with race gas. I previously did not have a gasket between the head and header, but have always used the ATR gasket between the header and turbo. I am using a Motorsport Big Valve Head, ATR Header, T3/T4 Turbo, ATR waste gate and down tube. Everything has been +2000 deg. thermal coated by www.sun-engineering.com, I have no warping or grooves on the head, header, etc.
So what is the real recommendation or opinion on using copper gaskets?

Thanks,
Brian

[svobud]

manifold to head - never used a gasket as it's not needed.

manifold to turbo - just a standard gasket. Never tried a copper gasket, but I do run 18psi of boost using the standard gasket.

as for the ATR header - after the amount of problems I've seen through the years from people using that header...I would never use one.

[1HOTSVO]

If no gasket is used, what do you put to seal the header to the head? Any good chemicles you can recommend that are made for that type of application?
If you and anti-ATR than what do you recommend to get the power that the ATR system gives you? I am building a new 2.5L motor for my other SVO and have not bough any of the exhaust.

Thanks,
Brian

[SvoTy]

Originally posted by 1HOTSVO
If no gasket is used, what do you put to seal the header to the head? Any good chemicles you can recommend that are made for that type of application?
If you and anti-ATR than what do you recommend to get the power that the ATR system gives you? I am building a new 2.5L motor for my other SVO and have not bough any of the exhaust.

Thanks,
Brian

Brian, I would use a gasket if I was running a header. The bad rap on the ATR header is that it is VERY prone to cracking.

A well ported E6 will give you quite a lot of power, and there is a guy by the name of Bob Lee that makes a nice looking log style header.

The turbo engines just run such a hot exhaust temp that I do not think any header will hold up over a period of time. But that is just my .02 cents.

Ty

[1HOTSVO]

I have been considering the Bob Lee Log exhaust but have not seen any test results, power comparisons, etc. It looks like it will work very well, but will give you similar results to a ported E6 since it is not a tuned style header.
As for have problems with the ATR header, I have seen problems on NON-coated headers, but have yet to see cracking, or warping on a header that was properly thermal coated.
Thanks Ty and Bud for your advise, but I am still left with two different answers and no strong facts on whether or not I should use a gasket.
Anyone else have facts (or opinion) on this?

Thanks!
Brian

[SVOeric]

I think you got 2 different answers for 2 different questions..

that was
E6 = No Gasket
header = Gasket

[vrinner]

Seal?

So do you use anything between the header and head or just bolt them together?

[Gator]

I dunno, but I have always run a gasket between the header and the head....no reason why to be honest, I just do.

[Majestic]

I have Bob's manifold. You will have to use a gasket if you run it. A good choice is the Nitroseal by Victor. Carquest sells them for about $7. All metal construction, very tough.

As far as a direct answer to your question.... I think you have one.
If a gasket was intended to be used, use one. If you use the stock manifold (e6) you don't need a gasket. Anything else, you do.

Chris

[gbeaird]

Majestic,

Thanks for that info. I have one of Bob's manifolds on order. I was wondering what I was going to use. I think I will have it hot-jet coated, for some insulation and good looks.

Hopefully, it will give our 86 a little 'boost' in power. I really wanted to get the ATR, but a cracked header looks cheesier than a factory cast iron manifold, IMO.

Gene Beaird
86 2R SVO, G Stock
Pearland, Texas

[1HOTSVO]

Header coating

gbeaird and others, if you want an awesome coating that will really do you some good and is a better price than Jet-Hot, give Jerry at www.sun-engineering.com a call and he will hook you up! I had work done by him and I am very pleased!

[gbeaird]

Thanks. There is a place local here in Houston that does it, and does a nice job, but you have to wait until they get a 'batch' together of the color you want for them to do them. I had a set of export pipes done on our Impala SS and had to wait three months. Not sure I want to wait that long. Sun Engineering may be the way to go.

Gene Beaird