Others have had issues with the "2x thick" 12 layer gaskets. They're pretty thick and hard to crush. The 7 layer is the one to get. Pretty detailed in my thread posted above. Also answers your questions about what size the stock manifold piping is.

 

Curious who had issues with the double thickness 12 layer ones? I haven't seen anyone post here or on FB about it.

-Nigel

 

agree, I used the double layer and no issues at all.

 

After I made that original "tech tip" post on FB, someone mentioned that it was just too thick to get a good crush. So I updated the post to reflect that there may be issues. Kinda makes sense considering the factory header flange is fairly thin and isn't designed to have high torque applied to the bolts and can warp. The 7-layer is pretty good and worked for me and everyone else that has used it. One of those "more isn't always better" type situations.

After re-reading post #11 I realized dagored might not have understood my original post and just bought every single part number listed in that thread. He also indicated that his dealership used the cone style gasket (17451-0V040) at some point. That idea seemed rather interesting and I was hoping it would work so I could update that as another option.

 

Hi,
Just got the RC F back from the dealer. The cone type crush gasket they used was not what I thought it was. I've attached the pictures of what they used (it failed after 3 weeks). Lexus says it was a cone configuration gasket but I don't think it was after looking at the pictures. It looks to me to be a stock crush type gasket. Any of you want to weigh in on that?
To complete the thread the dealer used what they called "High performance exhaust gaskets" which were just like the Vibrant gaskets. They failed in 24 hours.The exhaust blew out thrugh the long sides of the gasket and actually caused the metal perforated sides of the gssket to separate from the center gasket material.
I took the 3" Grimms ss gaskets in (not the 2x thich ones) and they installed those using the instructions I got from you and Nigel (thanks to both of you helping an old timer with this problem). But they also installed the cone gasket, which you gave a number for previously in this thread, along with the Grimms 3". And they did use the copper sealant
I've only got about 200 miles on it so far w/o a failure. I'm not optomistic about this fix as it was not outlined in your origianal thread. I went to's site and they make an adaptor for a Subaru stock exhaust header to a 3" cat back system. I went ahead and ordered a pair which comes with the 2 of the 3" ss layered gasket at $57 per side. Grimms info is "Stock DP>Aftermarket 3 in. Catback Adaptor- Subaru, sku 077046. The Subaru exhaust is 2.5". I'm not sure what the stock RC F exhaust is as I've read in the threads re RC F's that it's either 2.5 or 2.75". Does anyone know for sure what size the exhaust is?


you can clearly see the delaer didn't tget the crush type gaskets lined up which caused the failure. And basideds that, as you've mentioned, these gaskets ar ejust slightly smaller than the 3" Grimms ss gaskets.
I'll keep posting how long this new fix lasts. If it does fail I'm taking Nigel's advice and do the fix myself, although it might be with Grimm's stock Subaru exhause to the 3" cat back Invidia system.

 

I am surprised a Lexus dealer was willing to install it for you. My Lexus dealer does not touch any aftermarket parts with a 10 foot pole. I either do them myself or in a couple of cases, took it to a shop (exhaust and RR Racing bushings).

 

Ye, that's the OEM crush gaskets. Wrong application for the invidia exhaust. It is simply too small. You can clearly see how much of the exhaust gasses burned it on the side... almost half the diameter of it wasn't sealed properly..

Hard to tell if you don't have pictures of what they used but if they stacked gaskets it'll be a gamble if it works long term or not. The invidia piping is 2.75". I also looked that that subie adapter but it wouldn't be correct in our application. Stock subie piping is 2.5" and so is lexus. But we don't use a doughnut gasket after the headers unlike that of a subie downpipe. So you won't be using that really at all.

I'm still a believer the 12 layer gasket is a good gasket and fine to use. It's not compressing in the sense that one things of a normal fiber/graphite gasket, in which case you would want thinner. The added layers will help in the flex as the exhaust moves which it will. The biggest thing is that the GS gasket have the fire ring that holds in the internal gaskets together. But GS makes good stuff. There's a reason why most of their products come highly reviewed and they don't sell garbage.

As long is everything is lined up properly before everything is tightened down and the proper gaskets are used it should be good. No gasket is going to solve an install problem where someone doesn't have the pipes lined up properly or if something is severely skewed...etc

I helped out a fellow member over a year ago with the install. Infact I did it the exact same way I installed mine using all the same stuff I did..etc.
The install I did over year ago is fine. Haven't had any texts or calls from him saying something is off/wrong/CEL..
GThaus/Meisterschaft midpipe with oem mufflers? - Page 3 - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

Another person that I sold an Invidia exhaust to used the stock invidia gaskets then texted me 3 days later saying his CEL was on. He didn't want to wait for the grimmspeed gaskets so he installed it. But after the grimmspeed gaskets I haven't heard anything from him on issues...etc.

There's always going to be some issues where someone can't get something to seal/or install right. However the majority of people that have followed the grimmspeed gasket rule with cooper sealant haven't had any issues. Where as if you search on here previously and on FB you'll see tons of people having CELs coming on because of the stock invidia gaskets or the OEM crush gaskets...

-Nigel

 

If only someone would write up a guide detailing these issues with the Invidia. Wait, I did -> https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rc-...l#post11380696

Based on your description, my money is that the dealer used the wrong sized 2-bolt gaskets causing the fire ring to collapse into the exhaust flange and blew out as described in my thread. I mean, it looks like they did every single common gasket problem before they used the correct gaskets you provided them:



You should have good luck with those grimmspeed gaskets. Not sure what other gasket was used, if they stacked it, you're honestly throwing out a bunch of parts and making things overly complicated, so it's a bit hard to follow. That grimmspeed dp to 3" exhaust adapter is way overkill, but it does look pretty idiot proof. I mean you're looking at $146 once you factor in the Subaru "donut gasket" when the gaskets Nigel and myself have recommended are around $50 for the pair.

The stock RCF exhaust piping is 2.5" / the Invidia exhaust piping is 2.75" / the front header flange on the Invidia is 3" - which causes gasket headaches.

 

I'm surprised they (Lexus dealer) used the Grimm gaskets I provided. I think they figured it had been 3 times I'd been in and nothing they'd done worked long term. And what is frustrating is I printed out your thread a few sections back tellign them exaclty what to do re using the Grimms and sealant. That didn't stick so we'll see how this goes. I usually drive about 6k a year.
Now I do have a questio. I thought th eInvidia system was 3"? Above you say 2.75. Is this an internal v external (ID v OD) measurement difference? And stock exhaust on the RC F is 2.5". Again is that ID or OD? Do you happen to have a picture of what the stock RC F header pipe (the flange end where it connects to the exhaust header) looks like.
Thanks again Nigel.Really appreciate your help
DR4

 

The flange is a 3" opening, piping is 2.75" (70mm to be specific, google is your friend here). Pictures of the flange is in my thread, read the captions, the flange to piping size difference is pretty obvious if you just look at it.

 

Invidia leaks because they’re built with incorrect flanges. Nothing more, nothing less.

FWIW the original owner of my car had an Invidia installed the first week and it threw a CEL…the first week. It was installed with OE gaskets. I tried every gasket combination imaginable and it still threw CEL’s. F-that. Bought an original exhaust and haven’t thrown a code since.

Any vendor that sells Invidia is doing the community a dis-service. The community needs to hold the vendors who sell this crap and Invidia themselves accountable.

 

I did. Easy to see the carbon tracking.

 

Hi Jim,
Agree 100%.It's a veey poor design at least when used with an RC F. All Invidia had (has at this point) to do is create a simple adaptor flange to accomondate their system with Lexus' RC F exhaust flange.
We'll see how long this latest fix from the dealer works. If I get another CEL then I'm seriously considering what you did but with a slight change...which is go buy a stock L and R header pipe ( the pipe that connects to the exhaust manifold) then at the pther end have a flange welded on it to match Invidia's flange. That'll do 2 things...allow the stock resonators to be reinstalled to moderate the sound somewhat and eliminate the annoying CEL's.
While I enjoy the car I'm not found of the noise. I'm a "senior" car guy and the days of having a car that's noisy is a turn off. You can't hear squat mechanical noise from the engine...it's all exhaust noise.
DR4

 

Try the exact opposite. Someone here made an adaptor from thin steel and welded it to the Invidia flange to step it down from 3” to 2.75”.

 

Then there’s something like this: