Custom Header Gaskets- - - Help!!

[Venom 1000TT]

Can someone help me find someone who can make me custom header gaskets out of copper? I'm changing them like I change my socks. All I've been using is the stock gasket that comes with the car. Cheap paper! Yes, I've siliconed them & even sprayed them with that copper junk, none of which was to any avail! I just want to give someone a stock gasket as a template & have them make me copper ones at least to try. I don't think Felpro makes them either, not on their site.
Please any suggestions?

 

[Vipermed 97.01]

The stock gasket that comes with your car is a very durable 2 piece metal gasket.The ones that come with most aftermarket headers are junk.The OEM metal gaskets should last forever.If you want even better order a set of gen3 OEM gaskets they are 3 piece but you will have to put each cylinder on individually as the gen3 headers the first three ports on the drivers are inverted and the last three on the passenger are inverted,you will just have to rotate them.If you need a set of 2 piece oem gen2 shoot me an email and i will send you a courtesy set

 

[Venom 1000TT]

I have been using the OEM Gen II gaskets I get right from the Dodge dealer. They are the ones that are junk, I'm telling you!!! They might work on stock or low pony cars but not on my +1000 degree headers. Thanks for the offer but no thanks on the OEM. I used to have the same problem on my vette but switched to Felpro & ended the problem. But Felpro doesn't make one for the Viper so I thought about copper ones. Well I'll keep looking. Maybe some local metal shop or something.

 

[Vipermed 97.01]

I can assure you that we have some more than low pony cars that have been using these gaskets including both of my personal vipers that have a bit more than stock power plants.Have not blown a gasket yet including a twinn turbo.Are the OEM ones you are using a two piece metal.I have been building high performance cars for years and have also used felpro and do not see them exceeding the durability of these.Good luck in your search

 

[Larry Macedo]

Hello Jamie,

Is your gasket blowing out due to the possibility of the bolts backing off or backing out? If that is the case, I would try the OE MLS gasket with Stage 8 bolts.

 

[Jerry Dobson]

When I bought Headers, I tossed the aftermarket cardboard gaskets. The Factory OEM ones are metal. Are your Factory gaskets not metal?

 

[onerareviper]

All I've been using is the stock gasket that comes with the car. Cheap paper!

Cheap paper? We must not be talking about the same gaskets. The OEM gasket on my GTS is a two-piece metal gasket, as others have stated. Metal, not paper.

 

[MaxedGTS]

I would call a shop that deals with forced induction......DLM, Heffner, Larry M.
I know Doug Levin makes custom gaskets if you give him a blue print or sample. shouldnt be too hard.

ps. are you using the paper or metal gasket?
Max

 

[Miles B]

Hmmm.. the guy who built your car doesn't have a solution for this?

Oh...

 

[Venom 1000TT]

I don't know. They act like paper on the blow out spots. I guess there could be metal thruout. They are kinda pliable like metal but the outside surface is like a silver paper. The part # is 4848339 & cost me $16.15. Yes I tried torquing to factory specs & that still blew. Then I tried tightening the living hell out of the bolts & the gasket still blew. Yes my tuner is working on it but not fast enough for me. These things take me several hours each time to change. Seems like I'm wrenching more than I'm driving! Thanks for all the suggestions though, I have several emails out to custom header gasket shops to find a solution.

 

[Larry Macedo]

I'd suggest the OE Metal Multi Layer gaskets and utilize the Stage 8 bolts to ensure they aren't able to back out, Jamie. You will also want to ensure that the header flange is straight and flat as well.

 

[KepRght]

Resolved?

 

[Venom 1000TT]

Well I put the crappy composite ones back & tightened the crap out of them. So far no leaks but it's only a matter of time. So per my tuner I bought 2001 stock header gaskets & have them ready to put on in case. WOW what a difference in material. Solid 2 piece metal. They should work! Thanks for all the input!

 

[SNKEBIT]

you can't "tighten the crap out of them"..... that distorts the header flange and will make them leak faster, you better have the flanges checked on your headers, they might be warped by now and all the gaskets in the world ain't fixin' it.