Hey guys my tuner suggested i use high temp rtv between my t3 and manifold and between the housing and down pipe instead of gaskets. Any suggestions,,,

 

I know it's not uncommon to just RTV between turbine and down pipe, but I personally use gaskets.

 

1. gaskets
2. new tuner

 

gaskets....hands down

rtv if and only if its an emergency. iv done it before when a gasket was damaged and waiting for a replacment. rtv will eventually burn and exhaust will start leaking. depending on how flat the mateing surfaces are rtv will work for a little bit.

 

i was told to use the copper RTV when using the rtv as a gasket. because the rtv will burn away, but then there will be a layer of copper that will basically make a gasket.

side note: i'm running gaskets on everything though

 

Gaskets when you can. Copper RTV for anything you can not source a gasket for.

 

correct me if i am wrong but they are 2 machined surfaces they wouldnt require a gasket.

 

Thanks for the input...Paul ill be getting in touch soon....

 

You're wrong.

 

depends honestly...think about v-band exhaust systems, they do not require a gasket. turbonectics kits when they first came out for the tc didnt have a downpipe to turbo gasket that came with the kit (if i remember correctly). There are some industrial flanges that are precisely machined so no gasket is needed. Ill look for a link to post up.

 

here is an example of large scale gasketless flanges

http://www.dimnp.unipi.it/santus/Pub...oli/2009_3.pdf

 

In the Turbonetics kit in particular (coming from 2 years experience with it) it did not require a gasket between the turbo and downpipe. Red RTV worked flawlessly for 2 years but from the manifold to the turbo it came with a metal gasket. I never had any leaks from my kit anywhere. If I had a choice, I'd go with a gasket though.

 

or try this

http://www.autobarn.net/muffler-exhaust-repair.html

 

on my simple kit i've run no gasket for 3 years now and the only time it leaks is when a bolt backs out.

 

That stuff dries hard though. Some flexibility is needed for vibrations and expansion from heat.

 

never tried the stuff, just seen its temp rateing and it fits the bill. seems like it would be good though for downpipe to turbo and turbo to mani.

 

Thank You all! Im probably going to go with gaskets and hope they don't leak im pretty sure thats what Paul uses and i have his kit....

 

Good move. We have all of the gaskets you need:

http://www.dezod.com/cat-turbo-gasket-flanges.cfm

 

Use a gasket for that rtv eventually burn off at high temps