Yup, locking nuts are technically a one time use item lol. I could have reused the gaskets but the Tomei headers came with new ones so I said f it, and wanted to use those. It's an issue I have lol, I'm very aware of it....i literally changed any and all the hardware involved in doing the header swap. I also have some chrome, titanium, and aluminum hardware in my engine bay =D

 

Sounds nice. Any photo's?
I got a reply from Concept Z. Said they've never had problems but will contact Tomei. They said it's possible there was an incorrect gasket in the mix. Figures. Thing is, Tomei is very specific in the instructions on how the gaskets should be installed. I tried'em every other way anyways. Clearly if they fit as you say, they do not do so right side up. What a pain in the ***. Maybe I should re-title the thread " Astray the instructions will leave one, Tomei".
I wonder if there's anyone out there that's installed hr gaskets on an early de? Mines was built in 2002, so this sucker is early.
Here's 2 pics of the escutcheons I mentioned above. The first is the oem and the 2nd is the aftermarket unit that supposedly fits all 03-08's.

https://www.infinitiscene.com/attach...18-jpg.488689/
https://www.infinitiscene.com/attach...19-jpg.488693/

The rubber seal makes no difference regarding this escutcheon fitting. There's some weird **** going on with my ride.

 

Weird, Yeah Tomei tells you to install the per FSM, but as there is no left or right I figured it had to because of the bolt holes not the ports. What I'm actually curious about now is if they are shipping all orders with HR gaskets.... The DE doesn't fit both but HR does. Well I guess if you wanted to be stubborn you could just change the location of the studs and use them on the HR but you have to do that to use those headers anyway so why hot give everyone DE gaskets?

 

This question sorta influenced my decision on using the HR gaskets as opposed to the DE ones because I thought they might be better (as with a lot of the HR stuff)

 

I don't have any current pics, but it's nothing crazy lol. I got some new braided hoses coming in for my ARC catch can, I'll take some when I install them.

 

I got this reply 10 days ago. One 1/2 of Tomei (usa) knows not what the other 1/2 (japan) is doing.

I have no exhaust leaks and that's primarily what I was concerned about. It's nice that Tomei includes everything for the install, even the wrap, but I can see why most companies do not, regardless of the part.

" Thank you for the link and I have forwarded it to our engineer in Japan.
One thing that confuses us is that I was told that it is supplied with VQ35DE gaskets, and we have never had an incident with our gaskets.
Thank you for running our manifolds!
Best Regards,
Taka
TOMEI POWERED USA ?"

Tomei, you just had an incident. You don't know what spec gaskets your sending with your product. Never + 1.

 

Sounds about right, I had pretty much a similar response from the initial company I bought the headers from that didn't fit. Thankfully they recognized that there was an issue and worked with me to get it solved. What's even more bazaar is all the online pics show the DE gaskets lol. At least you don't have leaks and that's what counts.