My whole stage 2 install has blown up in my face. My car now sounds like a Midas commercial. I got a used Turbo XS Stealth back and a new megan racing up pipe (from WagonsRock) to go with my SPT exhaust. After finding a dounut gasket everything was cool, performed awesome and sounded sweet. I drove it into the cities and on the return trip going up the hill into Hudson on 94 the manifold uppipe gasket blew. Bolt not tightened properly. Shredded metal gasket. Found a replacement and installed. Still sounds like crap. Loud exhaust sounds from the engine compartment from the turbo/uppipe area. Taken everything apart except removing the up pipe. It was a bitch to install since the engine bolt Justin refers to removal as optional was corroded and it got stripped trying to remove it. Ended up removing the turbo and getting it in that way. Has anyone heard of a flex section of the up pipe going bad? I have boost and the turbo appears to be cool. This is my first attempt at doing anything seriously mechnical with a car. I assume others will say it isn't that serious. The comment from my dad was I should leave this sort of work to the people that get paid for it.
Remflex gaskets could be a viable option, but having someone with who has done this before does sound like a good idea.
you're scaring me, I'm gonna do my Stage 2 in a few days. My UpPipe is a flex pipe too. What did you do with your EGT?
New gaskets. Still have a problem. Yes you have told me that before. Thanks. Thanks. I had a person over that is knowledgable about cars in general but had never done this before. None of these responses answer the question - has anyone heard of the flex section in a up pipe going bad?
Not to answer your question w/out actually knowledge. But anything could go bad. I would take it off and look at it.
They do and can go bad if it was bent too much during install. The flex section is not meant to flex a lot. If it did go bad it could be sending pieces thru your turbo.
There wasn't much flexing put in it during the install. I put about 70 miles on it before the manifold up pipe gasket went. I spent most of yesterday taking the down pipe off and checking the bolts on the turbo to upipe. Everything is secure on both ends. Doesn't leave much else but the flex section. I put a message into the Megan Racing people, hopefully they will be responsive.
why dont you guys read what he posted... HE REPLACED the gaskets.. instead of whoring your product add something usefull.. ie: is your 02 sensor still in its place??? did any other bolts loosen off??? did the one little sensor bolt or whatever you said had stripped trying to get out fall out??? all these are usually the problems you describe... again the remflex gaskets may be a good option but they are gaskets.. stock gaskets will work just fine...
this... but to answer ej20... dont get worried.. if you do it yourself don't force ANYTHING... take your time.. if it doesn't go then take a step back.. take a few breaths, drink a soda and try again... I have had a as qouted by Grimmspeed a "you get what you pay for CHEAP ERZ up-pipe" for over 4 yrs on my wrx and it is still not leaking... I guess I got what I paid for.. an in-expensive maybe 5hp flowing less up-pipe that has worked flawlessly.... Disclaimer (above 2 posts are not a go at Grimmspeed or Justin, just to point out that comments like what are posted all the time just do more to me personally to NOT want to buy a companies product because they put everything else down or whore their product when that's not what was asked for.... Grimmspeed has some nice product out.... but certain comments to me are pointless.. IMO..)
I purchased o2 sensor tool and made sure it was tight. With the car started I have checked it out visually and it seems fine. The bolt that is stripped is the engine bolt all the instructions say to remove so you can lift the engine to aid in the uppipe install. I have checked up both sides of the up pipe now I feel fairly confident that everything solidly connected. A cold start and there was a puff of smoke from the up pipe area and it is seriously loud. The only thing I can figure is either the flex section is bad or the EGT bung bolt fell out. I spent all day on it yesterday. Before I go at it again I'm getting a uppipe replacement and a new intercooler y hose. The stock y pipe has pissed me off for the last time.
Nate, I mentioned gaskets because I have never personally seen an up-pipe fail in 70 miles. I was thinking it was more likely that he had a tweaked flange that was causing the leak. Hence me mentioning remflex.
I would take a stab at your EGT probe/bolt fell out, or you have a loose Manifold/Up-pipe connection. Too bad your in WI, otherwise I'm sure you would have gotten the help you need by now.
If you mean me (Nate aka Nathan) yeah I wasnt saying anything to you... cry me a river boy only said BUY GRIMMSPEED GASKETS and never offered any other advice or thoughts... product whoring...
