Lambda extensions & blowing manifold gaskets?

[Edmundo2]

Hi all.

I recently fitted Topgear stainless headers with 200cel cats to my Cayman 987.1s. The fit and finished seemed great however I noticed a light ticking noise when pulling away slowly upto about 2.5k. My suspicion was manifold gaskets which looks to be the case so I'm going to try swapping to OEM gaskets.

 

Also after 100 or so miles its thrown a CEL. On inspection it looks like Lambda sensor and I've been advised extensions should help sort it and stop light coming on.

 

Has anyone else had experience of this? If so did you fit x4 or just x2 after the cats?

 

Thanks for any info relating to either gaskets or extensions.

 

Ed

[Slippydiff]

Edmundo2 said:

Hi all.

I recently fitted Topgear stainless headers with 200cel cats to my Cayman 987.1s. The fit and finished seemed great however I noticed a light ticking noise when pulling away slowly upto about 2.5k. My suspicion was manifold gaskets which looks to be the case so I'm going to try swapping to OEM gaskets.

 

Also after 100 or so miles its thrown a CEL. On inspection it looks like Lambda sensor and I've been advised extensions should help sort it and stop light coming on.

 

Has anyone else had experience of this? If so did you fit x4 or just x2 after the cats?

 

Thanks for any info relating to either gaskets or extensions.

 

Ed

Always check the mating face of new manifolds with a straight edge prior to fitting. It's surprising how often fabricated manifolds flanges are out.

If they are out, either send them back, or find someone with a large flat belt linisher, and get them to true them up for you.

IIRC the ECU monitors the difference between the pre and post cat lambda's, so you may need to fit extensions to all four sensors. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable on here will know.

[Edmundo2]

Thanks Slippydiff, really useful. I'm going for x4 extensions so good to hear this looks like right option..

Ref the flanges I should have checked I guess but I was really impressed with the quality of them to the point I didn't even consider the faces may not have been 100%. Rather than replace the gaskets/lambda extensions myself its booked into Strasse to carry out as should only take a couple hours and having it on ramps with chance to listen to it etc they should hopefully be able to hand it back bang on and save me the faff.

Thanks, Ed

[Slippydiff]

Edmundo2 said:

Thanks Slippydiff, really useful. I'm going for x4 extensions so good to hear this looks like right option..

Ref the flanges I should have checked I guess but I was really impressed with the quality of them to the point I didn't even consider the faces may not have been 100%. Rather than replace the gaskets/lambda extensions myself its booked into Strasse to carry out as should only take a couple hours and having it on ramps with chance to listen to it etc they should hopefully be able to hand it back bang on and save me the faff.

Thanks, Ed

Well if you managed to get all the manifold bolts out, the real donkey work is done, so it should be relatively plain sailing from hereon
Were the gaskets supplied/you used the multi layer steel items like these ? :

[Edmundo2]

Yes I got lucky with removing the old ones!

The gaskets are the crushable type and thicker than OEM and completely flat. The ones you picture look like OEM thin type with impressions etc in them.

You can see the type I fitted/came with them in the attached..

Edited by Edmundo2 on Thursday 4th June 23:20

[Slippydiff]

They look pretty decent manifolds, I’m surprised they’re blowing. But I’m equally surprised they supply that type of gasket, though it possibly allows them a greater tolerance on just how square & flat the manifold flanges are.
Good luck getting it sorted

[Edmundo2]

Thanks. Like I say it's only a faint ticking that then disappears so hopefully gaskets sort it and the flanges are not the issue. Cheers

[Edmundo2]

Quick update to say that I took the car into Strasse Leeds today to get 4 x lambda extensions fitted + swap the manifold gaskets to OEM Porsche jobs..

CEL gone and no more ticking at low revs from the exhaust. Wish I’d known when I fitted the headers as it would have saved the cost and hassle of retro swapping them over , ( couldn’t be bothered getting back under it hence Strasse option ).

So hopefully a useful heads up to anyone going for Topgear stainless headers - buy a set of OEM gaskets and 4 x Lambda stands when fitting. Costs about an extra £100 all in but avoids/solves both problems..

Ed