A few months ago, I got my kit ready to install and, per recommendations from others, I put a layer of red silicone sealant on the shim before I installed it. But as often happens after I got that ready, I found that I needed to disassemble a few pieces so I could insert a brace (this was a new kit and I didn't realize that the brace had to be installed after the turbo but before the crossover. Tight confines...). So, meanwhile the silicone sealant 'set' and when I put it on an hour or so later, I 'hoped' tightening all bolts well would make it seal okay. I should have cleaned it and started over but I was running short on time. Well, "pay me now or pay me later..."

Fast forward to last week, ... I was under the car changing the oil when I noticed a swath of exhaust soot on the back of the compressor housing. I assumed that the exhaust shim *might* not have sealed so well after all and had a small leak. I ordered a new shim from Jegs and just went out to take off the old shim and put on the new one. Ugh.. well...


My boost should come on a lot better with the new gasket.

 

It didn't have an aluminum shim/gasket?

 

the shim you see in the picture is the shim that came with it.

 

Comp makes them in stainless. T3 up to a T6

Comp Turbo - Clamps