03spa

What is the best exhaust manifold gasket to use with a turbo?

Spoolin

I used "The Right Stuff" by Permatex on mine and don't have any leaks at all.

Chitah831

^^ Same here.

BTW, Spoolin are you running UR's exhaust?

Spoolin

Yes, I have the 3" dual 304 stainless with magnaflow mufflers and the 3" high flow cat. Very sweet sounding and looking exhaust.

Chitah831

I just got my 3" downpipe, high flow cat, and 3" dual exhaust from UR put on. Has your boost crept up any higher? Mine is boosting 9psi now where as before it was about 7 or 7.5.

BTW, if you're running the older stock tips you should switch to the 04 tips. They look AWESOME!

Spoolin

My tips are custom 4'' cut at an angle at the end and look awesome. As for the 3" downpipe, I think this is where you're getting your boost creep from. I stuck with the 2.5" downpipe because I heard that the 3" might cause this. My boost is consistent between 6.5 and 7 psi. No creeping yet. BTW, what kind of dyno numbers have you gotten? Mine was 287 whp and 198 tq (on a Mustang)and the temp was around 80 degrees when on the dyno. Oh, do you have an oil pressure gauge hooked up? Just curious because mine shows some weird oil pressure #'s and I can't figure out why. Seems kinda low. Like 60 psi at 9000 rpm. But at normal driving it's around 75 psi until VTEC and then drops to 60 and just holds there. Could be that I'm still running 10w30 and may need to switch to a thicker oil like 15w50 because of the added heat of the turbo. I'm just wondering if the relocation kit could be causing it and if anyone else has experienced what I am.

Chitah831

Well at least you have some cool tips too

I am going to have it dyno tuned soon on my AEM EMS so I'll get back to you on the numbers. My tuner does estimate my car is close to 350whp and he has tuned LOTS of cars. But can never tell till dyno day.

I don't have a oil pressure gauge so I can't comment on that one. Hopefully someone else will help you out with your situation.

Spoolin

Is that 350whp at 7 psi or the 9psi your getting now? I need to upgrade to the AEM also. Have you pulled any timing out or lowered compression or is your tuner going to since your now at 9 psi with the 3" downpipe? Just curious because I was thinking about pulling some timing and going up to about 9 psi. Keep me updated on how it goes because I'd like to get higher numbers on the stock motor for right now. And if your tuner can get you there then maybe I can try what he did. Thanks

Chitah831

I haven't pulled anymore timing since the first tune. I'm running about 16 degrees in boost. How about you?

I'm debating on whether or not to go with a smaller wastegate spring.... just to be on the safe side. Car sure feel strong though!

Just an estimated 350whp... dont know for sure yet

Spoolin

Everything is still stock, timing and all. My tuner, which was Payne Technologies out of Troy MI if you recognize the name, just left everything stock. But said that I may want to pull some timing at the top end eventually. Sometimes, with 93 octane gas, I can here a little weird sound coming from the engine. Not sure if it is detonation or not but Payne told me he didn't here anything that sounded like detonation to him. Hopefully it isn't.