Easiest way to replace exhaust manifold gasket on SR20DET?

[KeithDigital]

My exhaust manifold gasket is leaking. Is it possible to just remove the nuts, pull the manifold out enough to squeeze the old gasket out and slip the new gasket in, or do I have to disconnect everything - Oil lines, Coolant lines, Downpipe, etc just to replace the head to manifold gasket? Thanks.

[Sileighty_85]

if you have Steel Braided oil lines and its being a an S14/S15 SR then it is possible.


If its S13 SR then you'll have to scrape the old gasket off

[jspaeth]

Yes, I think it should be.....I have this copper gasket that doesn't have closed holes where the studs/bolts go.....they are open on the end, so with something like that I think you may be able to do that.

[g6civcx]

It's always best to remove the manifold to elbow as a unit.

It takes more time but it's easier than trying to save time and risk breaking something.

[jspaeth]

It's always best to remove the manifold to elbow as a unit.

It takes more time but it's easier than trying to save time and risk breaking something.


Yes, this is the truth!

If you've never done it before, don't even try to take the turbo off the manifold or the elbow off the turbo or the lines off the turbo.

You will want to kill yourself if you do.

Always put everything onto the turbo (lines, manifold, elbow) and then put that in place and connect the manifold to head, elbow to downpipe and lines to block.

Otherwise you will probably end up with a poorly tightened nut/bolt and a squealing exhaust/turbo gasket leak.

[KeithDigital]

Thanks guys for the fast response. I bought the S15 gasket, so it doesn't sound like it will slip on the studs like the copper one :(

About how much time does it take to remove the manifold/turbo do you think?

[Sileighty_85]

Thanks guys for the fast response. I bought the S15 gasket, so it doesn't sound like it will slip on the studs like the copper one :(

About how much time does it take to remove the manifold/turbo do you think?

FYI S15 gasket only works with the OEM manifold

I can do it in about an hour depending on the hardware

but then again ive been doing this for awhile

[clark]

yeah if you have stock hardlines, ughh you'll hate yourself. i love the negativity from sileighty and jspaeth. i'm right there with you guys.

yeah anyway, stock hardlines, yo'ull ahve to unbolt them. PLEASEEE be careful wiht the oil feed line going into the block. be careful not to strip the block. this shit happens alot if you overtighten the oil feed banjo bolt.

[g6civcx]

About how much time does it take to remove the manifold/turbo do you think?

For me with braided turbo lines, I can get everything out in about 15 minutes IF the car is cool.

For you, probably plan on a whole weekend if it's your first time.

[jspaeth]

For me with braided turbo lines, I can get everything out in about 15 minutes IF the car is cool.

For you, probably plan on a whole weekend if it's your first time.


Yeah the worst part I think when it's your first time are the nuts in between the runners.

Either a ratcheting wrench or patience (turning 1/16 of a turn at a time until you can use your fingers) is good here.

Also, if you have a lift, that of course makes it way easy to take the downpipe off.

[g6civcx]

Having an S14 style water return line, or water line delete, also helps a lot.

Just leave all the lines on the turbo. Take the heat shield off, work everything off of the engine, unplug the O2 sensor, unbolt the elbow from the downpipe, and take off all the nuts on the flange.

Should be off in about 15 minutes if I do it right.

[D.Adams]

i did mine in about 1 hour. all i did was remove the 8 nuts and washers and pulled the manifold off the studs. if the gasket sticks use a flat head or a exacto knife to get the gasket off. I used the same 7 layer s15 gasket. make sure the black side of the gasket is facing the turbo manifold. but before you start spray some penetrating lube on all the studs and let it sit for 20min or so that helps allot ..good luck.. the 2 center lower studs are a pain in the ass to get to . but should be easy if you know how to work a wrench.

[KeithDigital]

s13bdafocker - you make it sound too easy. You didn't remove the Oil/Coolant Lines, O2 Sensor, Downpipe?

So if I had the flexible braided lines, there would be so much slack that I won't even have to disconnect them to change the gasket, but the factory hardlines I need to remove them from the engine to do anything, and they are a major pain to work with. ?

Someone mentioned the S15 gasket only works on the OEM manifold - this doesn't make sense? I was planning on getting the ISIS v2 manifold someday and wanted to use my expensive S15 gasket on it, since it comes with a free paper gasket that will probably blow out in a month.

[jspaeth]

s13bdafocker - you make it sound too easy. You didn't remove the Oil/Coolant Lines, O2 Sensor, Downpipe?

So if I had the flexible braided lines, there would be so much slack that I won't even have to disconnect them to change the gasket, but the factory hardlines I need to remove them from the engine to do anything, and they are a major pain to work with. ?

Someone mentioned the S15 gasket only works on the OEM manifold - this doesn't make sense? I was planning on getting the ISIS v2 manifold someday and wanted to use my expensive S15 gasket on it, since it comes with a free paper gasket that will probably blow out in a month.

Yes, it would be cake.

[Sileighty_85]

Someone mentioned the S15 gasket only works on the OEM manifold - this doesn't make sense? I was planning on getting the ISIS v2 manifold someday and wanted to use my expensive S15 gasket on it, since it comes with a free paper gasket that will probably blow out in a month.


if you look at the S15 exhaust gasket you will see that there are rivets in the middle holding it together.

Stock manifold has individual ovals for each port
as all after market exhaust manifolds, "port plate" are a solid bar
so the rivets will keep the "port plate" from seating flush

go to enjukuracing.com look for a "MR. Copper" gasket, Best gasket ive ever had and its reusable.

[KeithDigital]

Damn it... that makes sense. I had the copper one in my hand too, and I told the guy I wanted the S15 one... would have been nice for him to tell me about the rivets.

[jspaeth]

Damn it... that makes sense. I had the copper one in my hand too, and I told the guy I wanted the S15 one... would have been nice for him to tell me about the rivets.


Yep I am also using the Mr. Gasket one....copper, and reusable.

sick

[D.Adams]

s13bdafocker - you make it sound too easy. You didn't remove the Oil/Coolant Lines, O2 Sensor, Downpipe?

So if I had the flexible braided lines, there would be so much slack that I won't even have to disconnect them to change the gasket, but the factory hardlines I need to remove them from the engine to do anything, and they are a major pain to work with. ?

Someone mentioned the S15 gasket only works on the OEM manifold - this doesn't make sense? I was planning on getting the ISIS v2 manifold someday and wanted to use my expensive S15 gasket on it, since it comes with a free paper gasket that will probably blow out in a month.


yea it is . i did remove my downpipe from the turbo elbow. i did not remove anything else but the hot pipe and the turbo inlet pipe. its not to hard to get this done just make sure after the first time you run the motor you let it cool down and re-tighten all the nuts.