VespaGTS Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 I have a 2007 LGT wagon. I found that there was a strange ticking type noise coming from under the hood during acceleration. I’ll look on muffler shop traced it to the gasket at the up pipe turbo connection. They’re quoting me $475 to do the replacement gasket. Obviously I need to get this fixed. Since the entire exhaust system must be removed from the car I was thinking about replacing with Grimmspeed metal gaskets, is it worth it? Do you guys think this is the best approach? Is it easier to replace the gasket from the top instead by removing the downpipe and turbo? Also, did replacing the pipe with a Grimmspeed up pipe make sense? Would a exhaust leak like this cause an overboost issue? Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackobxt Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 The entire exhaust system does NOT have to be removed to replace that gasket. There are several ways to go about it, if your car has the catted up-pipe (not sure what years did or didn’t have this), now would be a good opportunity to to a catless. Im sure others will chime in, but I’ve had good luck with the factory gaskets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kzr750r1 Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 How many miles are on the car? You can replace this gasket without removing the up pipe. But if this is the first time taking it off it may take some time. You will want to replace both sides and the DP gasket. They are charging what looks like a job price from a book. Really should not take a pro 4 hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notorious Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 (edited) Uh, not sure if kzr750 is confused with the turbo-DP gasket but you will need to remove the up pipe and the down pipe to replace the UP-turbo gasket... There is no way to get to the nuts that hold the up pipe to the turbo without removing the down pipe first. First time I did this, it took me about 2 hours and most of that was waiting for PB blaster to soak and I plus also didn't use an impact. Grimmspeed gaskets are well worth it but you'll want the whole shebang of exhaust gaskets. Header gaskets (if you choose to remove the headers for more clearance to remove the up-pipe, much more difficult if you skip this step) Up-pipe to turbo Down-pipe to turbo Down-pipe to mid-pipe I use Grimmspeed gaskets every time I have to do this but you don't necessarily have to. Like I said earlier, took me two hours and I was fairly inexperienced at the time. It was back when I wanted to replace the catted up-pipe when I bought the car for precautionary reasons. Edited June 4, 2020 by Notorious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackobxt Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 I’ve done it by dropping the downpipe, disconnecting the inlet hose off the turbo and also disconnecting the oil feed and drain off the turbo and the coolant return banjo off the back of the head and with the turbo unbolted from the up pipe just lifting it enough to replace the gasket. If it was me, I’d drop the downpipe (required no matter what you do), drop the exhaust manifolds and do a catless up pipe and replace all exhaust gaskets along the way. It’s almost more preventative maintenance than anything to ditch the catted up pipe. Spray plenty of pb blaster, 9/10 when these bolts break lose it feels like they snap off. Once they are lose they usually seem to just thread on and off nicely Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VespaGTS Posted June 4, 2020 Author Share Posted June 4, 2020 140k on the car. I’ve been contemplating upgrading the turbo so this might be the best time for that as well. Hmmm. I need to look into turbos for a DD car and what it takes to do it right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VespaGTS Posted June 4, 2020 Author Share Posted June 4, 2020 Also no cat in the up pipe on 2007. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notorious Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 You'll need a protune as well when you replace the turbo. Consider supporting mods and preventative maintenance that comes along with that as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttnio Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 i will make sure the short block is healthy before i upgrade the turbo . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 If you bolt the turbo to the up pipe, it's much easier. after the turbo is out of the way, remove the studs from the up pipe. OEM gaskets will be fine. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kzr750r1 Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 Uh, not sure if kzr750 is confused with the turbo-DP gasket but you will need to remove the up pipe and the down pipe to replace the UP-turbo gasket... There is no way to get to the nuts that hold the up pipe to the turbo without removing the down pipe first. First time I did this, it took me about 2 hours and most of that was waiting for PB blaster to soak and I plus also didn't use an impact. Grimmspeed gaskets are well worth it but you'll want the whole shebang of exhaust gaskets. Header gaskets (if you choose to remove the headers for more clearance to remove the up-pipe, much more difficult if you skip this step) Up-pipe to turbo Down-pipe to turbo Down-pipe to mid-pipe I use Grimmspeed gaskets every time I have to do this but you don't necessarily have to. Like I said earlier, took me two hours and I was fairly inexperienced at the time. It was back when I wanted to replace the catted up-pipe when I bought the car for precautionary reasons. Thanks... I assumed DP off was a given. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VespaGTS Posted June 4, 2020 Author Share Posted June 4, 2020 i will make sure the short block is healthy before i upgrade the turbo . Great point. I have been meaning to do a compression leak down test. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttnio Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 you will be glad you did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VespaGTS Posted June 4, 2020 Author Share Posted June 4, 2020 You'll need a protune as well when you replace the turbo. Consider supporting mods and preventative maintenance that comes along with that as well. Thanks Notorius! I have a ProTune now. So it would just be an updated tune. I need to look at the mods list to make sure I want to go that route anyway. I do have a Downpipe, and TBE, Crawford AOS, and bulletproofed TMIC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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