My SVO came with no head to turbo manifold gasket from the factory. The previous owner had his turbo rebuilt, and the shop put a gasket on the car. This gasket is now leaking (as do most SVO's with gaskets after 5-10k miles).

Dave (ForceFed23) recommended copper RTV as he and his turbo 2.3 gurus have had great luck with the stuff. There is also a copper gasket available through an aftermarket supplier. Do these actually hold under the high heat and pressure? What does everyone here use?

 

since that copper isn't going to put a hole in your pocket i would try it.

 

Does the car have an aluminum or iron head? Yes I am retarded and didn't think to look. I'd also look into some stage 8 bolts like the old siver car had to make sure that crap doesn't come loose regardless of what the head is made of.

 

Skip the gasket and use high temp rtv.

The gaskets tend to blow out and taking the manifold off can be a pia.

 

don't use the gasket. The head is iron and the manifold is cast iron. As long as the surfaces are flat and true, you won't have a problem sealing. For all your turbo 2.3 needs, visit www.turboford.org

 

Thanks for the info. I may make this an excuse to upgrade to one of the log-style manifolds or that sexy looking stainless header I see on turboford.org.

 

what all is done to your SVO? I myself own a XR with a few things done to it.

 

The stage 8's just lock down and the bolts don't have the ability to back out or loosen due to vibration. Just another one of those "while you are on the roof" modifications.