Grinds into reverse

[MadMaxAtom]

I use these copper ones and if you retighten them after running a couple of times,they will never blow out on you.Link_> http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sce-4220

[EndressAuto]

What did Ariel use? Cobolt gaskets? The down pipe on the factory system has a 3 bolt flange but i cannot locate a gasket locally to measure it.

[MadMaxAtom]

brammo used a GM 3 bolt 2.25" composite gasket..used by v6 and v8 engine in the GM line during the 70s-90s.. I can't tell you exactly the year make and model as I found the copper replacements and never had to figure it out. Any competent parts place should be able to match them up. They def aren't Cobalt gaskets.

[RyanD]

brammo used a GM 3 bolt 2.25" composite gasket..used by v6 and v8 engine in the GM line during the 70s-90s.. I can't tell you exactly the year make and model as I found the copper replacements and never had to figure it out. Any competent parts place should be able to match them up. They def aren't Cobalt gaskets.

I agree on the copper exhaust gaskets. Some of my composite gaskets crumbled apart when I removed them.

[EndressAuto]

Fel Pro Number 60083 is the exact gasket that was in there. Same tan high temp gasket material and metal inner ring. Thats whats going back in as the car needs to be done in the next two days. No time to wait for the copper gaskets. If they blow out then we will replace them. Ill post a picture of the clutch once i download them off my phone.

[MadMaxAtom]

As long as you keep them tight,the composites work.The problem is if they are not retorqued,they blow out pretty quick,where the copper gaskets give you a mulligan or two: you hear them leaking and can tighten them quiet once again. Those hex bolts are a bitch to get to..

[EndressAuto]

I dumped the allen head bolts and nuts and replaced with stainless hex bolts and copper self locking nuts. I've never seen an issue with the copper nuts on any Euro car that uses them, shouldn't be an issue on this car either.......shouldn't be....haha. Now just waiting on stainless boot clamps for the axles to replace these zip ties that are on there now and some heat sleeving to replace the tin foil looking stuff on the harness and coolant line near the exhaust.

[MadMaxAtom]

The vibratory forces on the Atom2 Ecotec eats the stock exhaust. The 3 bolt flat factory flanges are too rigid,and the buzzing does in the hardware and gaskets.The stock brammo mufflers are really nothing more than a hollow chamber stuffed with steel wool.Really trashy sounding to boot. Gee,who would have guessed? Anyway.. because the rear tea tray hoop is "loose" it resonates like a tuning fork from engine vibrations and the weight of the muffler hanging off it adds more stress. Not a well thought out set-up..but fairly easy to modify/replace. If a track has any kind of noise limits (most do on club days) the stock setup is usually too loud. I have a stock header on one Atom2 that was modified to accept a 3" V-band connecting a 3" DP into a SS Magnaflow muffler/tailpipe with a 3.5" Supertrapp "sunflower" on the tip and can pass 86db at 50 feet WOT. No loss of power.

One good thing about working on the Atom is the engine/transaxle comes out fairly easy,although they do have to come out together (Cobalt can be split in chassis)

Zip ties on the axle boots..?? Someone wasn't paying attention in class...