DaveW
03-28-2008, 09:32 AM
I was looking for a supplier of higher-performance exhaust gaskets (I don't like the standard laminated steel ones - they always seem to burn out) and came across this manufacturer. I ordered a couple of the RF8006 3" ID gaskets to use on my cat-to-RB dual-tip catback flange, and on the intermediate flange of the catback. We'll see how they work.
Here's some info from their site:
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Remflex Exhaust Gasket
Remflex's unique flexible graphite material has been proven for more than 30 years in industrial applications, where temperatures routinely exceed 2,000 degrees—day after day, week after week, year after year. Now, we're bringing this technology to enthusiasts of all kinds to eliminate exhaust leaks for good! Whether you have an old pick-up that needs a manifold gasket, or a race car with custom-built headers, you can be assured that Remflex exhaust gaskets will work properly the first time, every time.
The Remflex Performance Promise
Seals Warped Flanges:
Remflex exhaust gaskets come in a standard 1/8-inch thickness and are designed to crush 50%. This allows them to fill gaps in the flange surface up to 1/16-inch!
Won't Burn Out:
100% flexible graphite construction means Remflex gaskets are good for up to 3,000 degrees F—far exceeding that of any vehicle's exhaust system temperature!
No Re-Torquing Necessary:
Remflex exhaust gaskets rebound 30%, creating an optimum seal that eliminates the need to re-torque!
The Science
Remflex gaskets work because they solve the two main problems associated with sealing an exhaust flange: Warping, and gasket failure.
Warped Reality
A common misconception is that, if you spend a lot of money for high-quality headers with thick flanges, leaks will not be an issue. In truth, a thicker flange does help, but it can't solve the problem of warping altogether. Constant thermal cycling, especially in high performance and/or high-load environments, causes warping of header flanges and cast iron exhaust manifolds--even the exhaust flange of the cylinder head itself.
Once the sealing surface is warped, leaks are imminent—and once there is a leak, pitting of the exhaust port sealing surface usually follows. A new set of average gaskets won't fix the problem—but Remflex gaskets, with a 50% crush built in—can seal gaps as large as 1/16-inch. And unlike traditional gaskets, they won't shrink, so they never require re-torquing.
If you can't take the heat…
Curiously, the number one cause of exhaust gasket failure is heat—the very thing exhaust gaskets are supposed to withstand. That's because traditional exhaust gaskets are made of composite materials—blends of natural fibers and synthetic compounds that are bound together using rubber. Simply put, it's only a matter of time until the extreme temperature in the vehicle's exhaust system burns the gasket's composite materials away, resulting in an exhaust leak.
You've no doubt experienced the pungent odor that arises from the engine compartment after you install a new set of the top-brand exhaust gaskets. That's the smell of the rubber binders in the composite materials that begin to burn out almost immediately. And once the rubber overheats, it begins to shrink, as well has harden. That's why you are instructed to re-torque the gaskets regularly, and why an exhaust leak will develop if you don't. Remflex exhaust gaskets are made from 100% flexible graphite and can withstand up to 3,000 degrees F—so they are not affected by exhaust system, and won't burn out, shrink, or leak. Not now, not ever!
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Here's some info from their site:
---------------------------------------------------
Remflex Exhaust Gasket
Remflex's unique flexible graphite material has been proven for more than 30 years in industrial applications, where temperatures routinely exceed 2,000 degrees—day after day, week after week, year after year. Now, we're bringing this technology to enthusiasts of all kinds to eliminate exhaust leaks for good! Whether you have an old pick-up that needs a manifold gasket, or a race car with custom-built headers, you can be assured that Remflex exhaust gaskets will work properly the first time, every time.
The Remflex Performance Promise
Seals Warped Flanges:
Remflex exhaust gaskets come in a standard 1/8-inch thickness and are designed to crush 50%. This allows them to fill gaps in the flange surface up to 1/16-inch!
Won't Burn Out:
100% flexible graphite construction means Remflex gaskets are good for up to 3,000 degrees F—far exceeding that of any vehicle's exhaust system temperature!
No Re-Torquing Necessary:
Remflex exhaust gaskets rebound 30%, creating an optimum seal that eliminates the need to re-torque!
The Science
Remflex gaskets work because they solve the two main problems associated with sealing an exhaust flange: Warping, and gasket failure.
Warped Reality
A common misconception is that, if you spend a lot of money for high-quality headers with thick flanges, leaks will not be an issue. In truth, a thicker flange does help, but it can't solve the problem of warping altogether. Constant thermal cycling, especially in high performance and/or high-load environments, causes warping of header flanges and cast iron exhaust manifolds--even the exhaust flange of the cylinder head itself.
Once the sealing surface is warped, leaks are imminent—and once there is a leak, pitting of the exhaust port sealing surface usually follows. A new set of average gaskets won't fix the problem—but Remflex gaskets, with a 50% crush built in—can seal gaps as large as 1/16-inch. And unlike traditional gaskets, they won't shrink, so they never require re-torquing.
If you can't take the heat…
Curiously, the number one cause of exhaust gasket failure is heat—the very thing exhaust gaskets are supposed to withstand. That's because traditional exhaust gaskets are made of composite materials—blends of natural fibers and synthetic compounds that are bound together using rubber. Simply put, it's only a matter of time until the extreme temperature in the vehicle's exhaust system burns the gasket's composite materials away, resulting in an exhaust leak.
You've no doubt experienced the pungent odor that arises from the engine compartment after you install a new set of the top-brand exhaust gaskets. That's the smell of the rubber binders in the composite materials that begin to burn out almost immediately. And once the rubber overheats, it begins to shrink, as well has harden. That's why you are instructed to re-torque the gaskets regularly, and why an exhaust leak will develop if you don't. Remflex exhaust gaskets are made from 100% flexible graphite and can withstand up to 3,000 degrees F—so they are not affected by exhaust system, and won't burn out, shrink, or leak. Not now, not ever!
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