Leaky Manifold To Head! Help!

[kevlo948]

Hey guys,

I recently had a 3inch dump pipe and highflow cat installed by an exhaust workshop to complete the turboback on my series 2 r33 gts25t.

The job was quick but the exhaust shop found a slight leak from the exhaust manifold to the cylinder head. They said it wasnt a huge problem but I will need to fix it sooner or later.

He mentioned that the gasket would need to be replaced and the job would cost roughly $600 to $700.

I have searched the forums and the workshop is definately right.

The ticking sound from the leak is only noticable from a cold start and goes away once the car heats up (mechanic said once the car heats up it expands and partially closes the hole)

I have a few questions:

1) I want to replace all the gaskets (and studs) that are "on the way". Would this just be the gasket and studs from the manifold to the head?

2) Would I save some money if I get this done while getting my major service done? (I am planning on doing my major service soon...timing belt, water pump)

3) Would I be able to get the gasket and studs from Nissan?

Quick details on the car:

1997 R33 Series 2 GTS25t

Stock as rock (besides a turboback exhaust and pod filter)

Any help would be appreciated!!

[DVS JEZ]

Yes nissan will hve all the parts needed or get permaseal from burson's.

It is a pretty big job to do the manifold gasket.

If u are planning on doing a turbo upgrade i would wait until then because they have to pull the turbo right off anyway. Even a couple months etc, it wont hurt anything having the slight leak.

[kevlo948]

ahh awesome. so would it be worth doing with a major service? I have no idea what is involved when changing the timing belt and water pump.

(maybe changing the gasket is on the way?)

[mystery_kid]

you're not going to get any cost saving by doing a major service at the same time the manifold has nothing to do with the timing belt or water pump

[RBnub]

If you are handy with your tools then its cheap enough to do it yourself. But you will have to take your turbo off as mentioned above. The genuine studs from Nissan are the best way to go or ARP make stronger ones for a price. You will need to get the manifold machined flat so that it can get a good seal with the new gasket. Make sure that cost from the exhaust shop includes the machining of the manifold. You can replace the gasket without machining the manifold but there is always a greater chance it will leak again over time. Do it once do it right

[kevlo948]

thanks for the info!

ill most likely take it back to the exhaust shop to get it done then. ill definately get them to machine it as well.

[Ninja gts25t]

jus had mine done cost $640 and picked car up next day.

[mystery_kid]

i'd go to a machanic over an exhaust shop

[kevlo948]

where did u get it done garth? and is that including gasket and studs?