I've decided to buy a used exhaust and y-pipe setup from one of the members on here. The exhaust itself seems to be in excellent shape. The guy who's selling it is pretty much providing me with everything. I already spoke to Bryan (B-Unit) about this, but I just wanted to see what everybody elses opinion is as well.

Anyways, what I am curious about is using used gaskets and o-rings. The exhaust setup has about 5,000 miles on it. Going from the rear to the front:

1. The intermediate pipe to muffler section includes a used o-ring and bolts. I'm thinking I should be fine here.


2. The y-pipe to intermediate pipe may or may not included a gasket. If it doesn't include one, which one should I get? More than one person has told me to go down to Superautobacs and just pick up a 3" gasket if needed. Does it need to be any particular material?

The y-pipe to intermediate pipe doesn't include bolts, nuts, washers. Which ones should I get? (size of bolt/nut, and type of washer)

3. The cats to y-pipe include NEW gaskets, but they're not copper (does that matter?). The seller said the bolts aren't included, but I can use the stock bolts/nuts on this connection.

Basically, it's just missing some basic hardware that I should be able to pick up for less than $15. But is it worth getting new Nismo gaskets from Performance? Seems like a waste to me, but maybe they're better quality? Unfortunately, I think its like $90!

Any help would be much appreciated!

 

I guess to ask a simpler question: can I use any 3" gasket? Or is there a specific type I need to use?

 

I got a used JIC Y-Pipe and Fujitsubo Exhaust and it came with no gaskets or hardware. I reused the stock hardware and got paper-sheet gaskets and cut them to fit. I seem to have blown one of the paper gaskets so I don't recommend going that route.

I think any 3" 2-bolt gasket should work, don't see why it wouldn't... as for nuts/bolts, I'd say just get like a 3" bolt that is as big as can fit through the hole...

 

Thanks for your help wren. I actually performed a search (!) and found your old post asking pretty much the same question, but nobody had responded to it so I couldn't get any info. Anyways, I just need the hardware for the cats to y-pipe, and y-pipe to mid-pipe. The bolts and o-ring for the muffler are already included.

 

So can anyone confirm if a "generic" 3" 2-hole gasket is cool to use? Or should I stick with the used metal one that the guy provided (doesn't appear to be any leaks). This is from the y-pipe to mid-pipe.

And what about from the cats to the y-pipe...should I use my current OEM gaskets, or should I use some generic gaskets?

 

Gaskets (especially metal ones) are GENERALLY supposed to get a little bit deformed and squished when you install them and torque down the bolts. The crushing action fills in microscopic gaps where gas can escape. After a gasket has been crushed once, it's pretty much done.

Since the exhaust system is relatively low pressure you might get away without having any leaks even if you re-use the gaskets.

But gaskets are meant to be used only once, as a rule of thumb.

 

Okay, thanks for the help. I already have new gaskets from the cats to the y-pipe, so I guess I can use those. The only thing left is from y-pipe to mid-pipe, which is a 3", 2-hole gasket. Unfortunately, I don't know where to find those. I called Super Autobacs and they're only like $5 or something, but they're out of stock, and I was getting help to install it on Friday! Hmmm...