Hi i have an 04' with 11,000 mils on it and im going to be putting a header on tomarrow. I was wondering if i need to replace the exhaust gasket when i put the new header on or not. Or if its just safer to replace it while its off. Thanks.

 

I put on a new gasket when I did my Toda. It's not too expensive and although the old one may indeed work without issue, a new one will ensure that no leaks will develop.

 

I've reused the stainless steel exhaust gaskets several times without issue. If you don't want to take off the header later to replace the gasket, I'd reccomend replacing the gasket for some peace of mind.

 

the gasket that goes from the cat to the stock exhaust is a steel or a ring type gasket correct? its because i installed my stock exhaust but couldnt find the ring and now i have a leak. can i just get one of these at the dealer? thanks

shawn

 

I have removed and reinstalled the header several times without replacing the SS gasket. It holds up very well and does not seem to need replacement.

 

If the "Donut" gasket is carefully removed from the stock header and in decent shape, they can be reused as well.

If you live in the rust belt, or anyplace that salts the road for ice, you may run into some rust and corrosion that hinders the removal of the gasket.

 

how do you know if the gasket is there? im not sure if its in the pipe or if the ring fell out and i installed the exhaust without it. does the stock exhaust suppose to look like a double layer pipe? i see a inner ring and the outer exhaust pipe or is that the gasket stuck inside thepiping. thanks

 

The rear gasket will be attached to the header's outlet. The gasket seats in the convertor inlet.

Go take it apart and have a look to see if it's there.

 

slows2k, you are talking about the cat-header gasket. sanee515 is talking about the cat-exhaust gasket.

the exhaust gasket is VERY thin and about 3-3.5" in diameter. It didn't fit firmly in the cat-exhaust joint with my invidia, but I put it in anyway, making sure it was centered before i tightened the cat bolts.

 

Guys, you are getting off the mark here. The original poster is talking about the header to head gasket. This is a double layered SS affair with 4 exhaust holes in it. It looks like the thing at the bottom right of the picture:

The one between the end of the header and the cat is a metallic donut that's kind of squishy and conforms to the shape of the connection when the two pieces are mated together and bolted up. It looks like the middle thing near the top of the picture:

The one between the end of the cat and the rest of the exhaust system on the stock system is a kind of metallic ring. When you remove the exhaust from the cat, that ring stays inside the opening of what comes off (that big heavy thing with the 3 cannisters on it and the 2 tips).
If you get an aftermarket cat back exhaust system, it'll come with a triangular shaped metallic gasket that looks like this: