Replacing turbo to manifold gasket on F21

[Clewe]

So my gasket in between my turbo and exhaust manifold is completely blown. Is there any easy way to replace this without removing the front end? I'm hoping you can just remove the three nuts and slide out the studs enough to slide the old gasket out and put the new gasket in.. Has anyone done it this way or have suggestions? Also curious if a stock gasket is the same size or if I need to order one from ECS or frankenturbo. Thanks!

[Believer]

I did this recently.

The process is pretty straight forward:

- First, remove all the stuff that is in your way. I removed the TIP as well because it just is big and reduces range of motion while working.
- Remove the turbo brace bolt at the turbo and loosen the brace bolt at the block so you can swing the brace out of the way.
- Remove the 3 turbo to Cat bolts and the exhaust hanger on the trans mount, and any other necessary exhaust hangers so the exhaust can be slipped off the turbo. I would recommend replacing the bolts and the gasket here.
-Remove the 3 bolts for the turbo to manifold connection. The front two should come out whether the nut spins or the stud spins. If the back stud spins, turn it out enough so that a gap appears between the turbo and manifold large enough to grab the stud with a pair of vice grips, just be careful not to gum up the threads on the studs. You should then be able to remove the nuts from the stud, dropping the turbo down enough to remove the gasket.

A stock replacement turbo to manifold gasket is what you'll need. I've stopped using copper nuts in favor of PN N10209009 for the turbo to manifold connection - they are more similiar to what Doug ships with the FT.

Best of luck!

[Clewe]

Yup I figured I'd have to do it the right way, I was hoping someone had a macgyver story of doing it without removing the front end haha.

[Believer]

Yup I figured I'd have to do it the right way, I was hoping someone had a macgyver story of doing it without removing the front end haha.

All of this was done with the front-end still on, just want to be clear about that.

[nynoah]

This will keep on happening till you start using THIS -> http://www.urotuning.com/Turbo-Locki...4-r18-0007.htm

[pee quu]

I never had an issue with those bolts ever coming loose when I had a 1.8 in my car

[Believer]

I never had an issue with those bolts ever coming loose when I had a 1.8 in my car

Did you have the Frankenturbo manifold? It's specifically an issues with folks running it

[nynoah]

Its an issue with ALL highflow manifolds and turbos larger than stock. Larger turbo more backpressure. More likely to blowgaskets. Another way to fix this is to mill both the turbo and the manifold flat. But really that 034 part just works.

[Dan[FN]6262]

Locking tab is cheap insurance. My ATP high flow manifold to turbo bolts always came loose when I ran an eliminator. I eventually went gasket less and picked up a 034 Locking tab thingamabob. Zero issues afterwards