Turbo - Downpipe dimensions

[Quickstop [UK]]

Hey all,

I have finally found some copper sheet and am going to try and make some gaskets for my turbo as it is leaking at the exhaust - downpipe bit.

What width sheet would I need?

SacDoug recommended a 3 layer approach and I think that makes sense so I am going to go with it... I am thinking 3 layers of .9mm sheet copper...

Basically does anyone have the width and height of the dp / exhaust manifold so I can order the right size sheet?

 

[ghettosled]

Re: Turbo - Downpipe dimensions

i think you are wasting your time.. use red high temp silicone. As long as your contacting surfaces are flat it will not leak. Otherwise it will blow out the copper twice as fast.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Turbo - Downpipe dimensions

Hey,

I asked on here an the consensus was that exhaust sealant was not good enough as the temps were too high.

It is only a minor leak...

Have you dealt with this before?

The surfaces clearly aren't completely flat as there is a tiny leak there which is the source of my problem....

Maybe I should weld the whole lot together.....

Why do you say that the copper would get blown out?

 

[SacDoug]

Re: Turbo - Downpipe dimensions

Red high temp RTV will burn up from just highway driving. It is not meant for use on your exhaust let alone something that gets as hot as a turbo.

To tell you the truth, I have never seen copper gaskets used as exhaust gaskets. Usually they are steel. You could probably just cut the gaskets out of some 20-28 guage steel from home depot for all of $10. Make the gasket 3 layers so that it seals well.

Here are some pictures of a few hot turbo exhausts just to give you an idea of how hot they can get:

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Turbo - Downpipe dimensions

holeeeeeeeee sh!t. That is some impressive stuff.

Wow.

Kinda puts my problem in a new light.

Steel huh.... reckon copper would melt in those photos. Are those pics taken in the visible band or are they near infra red? How hot are they getting?

That looks unbelievable...

 

[bezerk]

Re: Turbo - Downpipe dimensions

just use the copper stuff, i have used in on my ATR headers without a problem. even edd hess, that's where i got it from.
normal steel would work, but copper will seal better.

 

[SacDoug]

Re: Turbo - Downpipe dimensions

Those are all visible light photos. On my Stealth, I have made my turbos glow after driving it hard for an hour down the river. I let the engine run and popped the hood to help cooling. My turbos were a dark cherry red like the 2nd photo. It would not surprise me if your turbo on your truck glowed after driving hard for a while. That is just the nature of having a turbocharged engine.

Copper should work. I only mentioned steel because that is what I've seen used as a gasket for turbos. Copper is a softer metal so it should seal better just like bezerk said.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Turbo - Downpipe dimensions

awesome. Have just measured it up. The only thing I was slightly concerned about was the dipole rust effect with having two metals together but I'm going with the copper as it is easier to work with and I found a good source.

I will drive my car hard soon and try and take a pic!!

Thanks guys.

PS If anyone wants a copper gasket after this then PM me....