CorkSport Racepipe Install Questions

[Need4Speed3]

Yesterday I installed the CorkSport Power Series racepipe on my 2008 MS3. The install was a PITA (mostly because of the limited working area under the car and my lack of experience). I had to use ramps to access the stock midpipe and crossmembers since my jack and stands were prohibiting me from doing so. Anyways, I finally installed the racepipe and noticed that I left the spacer off of the downpipe.
Here's a picture of the donut gasket attached to the stock downpipe.


According to the installation manual the spacer should be attached to the stock downpipe before the donut gasket. Somehow I completely missed this instruction. After pulling off the racepipe again I tried to remove the donut gasket from the stock downpipe with a flat head screwdriver but it was just not happening. For fear of damaging the gasket I decided that I would just re-connect everything without the spacer. Tightened up everything and the started the car. Listened for exhaust leaks but I didn't detect any issues. I'm not even sure how to detect an exhaust leak. I wasn't able to immediately drive the car since it raining heavily but I did test it this morning and it seemed to pull quite nicely. I haven't noticed any decrease in performance but the increase is not readily noticeable either. Still haven't gone WOT since it was still raining.
How can I tell if there is an exhaust leak? Will it cause any problems if I don't use the spacer?

 

[chimmike]

if the leak was bad enough you'd hear it. I'm not aware of any spacer, just those tension springs.

 

[Alejo_NIN]

you could use sea-foam to generate some smoke and wherever there is a leak on the exhaust it will leak white smoke.
this is a alternative to using oil in the sparkplugs which may get the things dirty.

 

[uthemang31]

If their is a leak, you should see black drip marks around the leak.

 

[saxmanbrad]

I did that install a while back with the stock donut on the downpipe and it sealed up fine.

 

[Need4Speed3]

OK I drove to work and back today and didn't see any drip marks or hear any odd noises so it appears to be fine. Not sure about the seafoam bit but I'll certainly keep an eye on it and recheck the seals & bolts in a few weeks. Thanks for the feedback.
BTW - the throttle response is better than before, a bit more torquey as well.

 

[CorkSport]

The stock donut might seal up on the downpipe. The spacer is more for keeping clearance between the bell mouth section of the racepipe and the downpipe flange. If you start hearing a metal on metal noise under full throttle you will need to install the spacer.

-Derrick

 

[_Chris]

To check for a exhaust leak wait for your car to cool. Then put it up on your ramps and start it. Put your had around the flange and check for any exhaust blowing out.

 

[Need4Speed3]

Thanks guys. I will check it out.

The stock donut might seal up on the downpipe. The spacer is more for keeping clearance between the bell mouth section of the racepipe and the downpipe flange. If you start hearing a metal on metal noise under full throttle you will need to install the spacer.

-Derrick

To check for a exhaust leak wait for your car to cool. Then put it up on your ramps and start it. Put your had around the flange and check for any exhaust blowing out.