Exhaust Gaskets, 1-5/8 Steelbestos, 4 Pack

OVERVIEW

When you are pushing the limits of your air-cooled Volkswagen engine, standard paper or composite gaskets simply won''t cut it. These EMPI 1-5/8 inch Steelbestos exhaust gaskets are engineered specifically for high-performance applications where heat and pressure are significantly higher than stock levels. The "Steelbestos" construction features a specialized laminate material that is internally reinforced with a steel core, providing a mechanical bond that prevents the gasket from "blowing out" under high exhaust gas velocities. Whether you are running a large-displacement street cruiser or a high-revving sand rail, these gaskets provide the structural integrity required to maintain a perfect seal between your cylinder heads and your header flanges, ensuring that your exhaust pulses stay contained and your performance remains optimized.

Maintaining a leak-free exhaust system is critical not just for sound, but for the overall health and tuning of your VW engine. An exhaust leak at the head can lead to warped valves, erratic oxygen sensor readings on EFI conversions, and a significant loss in backpressure management. These 1-5/8 inch gaskets are the perfect match for competition-style headers and large-diameter primary tubes, offering a bore size that won''t restrict flow or create turbulence at the exhaust port. By choosing this 4-pack of premium gaskets, you are investing in a professional-grade sealing solution that stands up to the extreme thermal cycling common in air-cooled environments. Don''t let a cheap gasket ruin your weekend at the track or your long-distance road trip; upgrade to the durability of steel-reinforced sealing technology.

FITMENT

These gaskets are designed for Volkswagen Type 1, 2, and 3 air-cooled engines equipped with 1-5/8 inch (approx. 41mm) performance headers. This includes but is not limited to:

• Volkswagen Beetle: 1950 through 1979 (Sedan and Convertible)
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1956 through 1974
• Volkswagen Bus / Transporter: 1950 through 1971 (Type 2)
• Volkswagen Type 3: 1961 through 1973 (Squareback, Fastback, Notchback)
• Volkswagen Thing: 1973 through 1974
• Custom Applications: Dune Buggies, Sand Rails, Trikes, and Baja Bugs using Type 1 upright cooling configurations.
• Note: Specifically sized for 1-5/8" primary tube headers. Will not fit stock 1-3/8" heat exchangers correctly without modification.

SPECS

• Product Brand: EMPI
• Part Number: 2512-31
• Material: Steelbestos (Steel-Core Reinforced Composite)
• Primary Port Size: 1-5/8 Inches (41.2mm)
• Configuration: 2-Bolt Flange Style
• Quantity: 4 Pieces (Complete set for one dual-port or single-port Type 1 based engine)
• Thickness: High-compression design for maximum crush-seal
• Color: Silver/Grey metallic finish

PRO TIPS

1. Always Perform a Heat Cycle Re-Torque

One of the biggest mistakes builders make is "setting and forgetting" their exhaust nuts. Because these Steelbestos gaskets are designed to crush slightly to form a perfect seal, they will settle after the first few thermal cycles. After installing the gaskets and running the engine until it reaches full operating temperature, let it cool down completely and then go back in with your wrench to re-torque the 13mm copper nuts. You will often find they have loosened slightly as the material compressed. This simple step prevents 90% of future exhaust leaks and keeps your header flanges from warping over time.

2. Verify Flange Flatness Before Installation

Even the best gasket in the world cannot compensate for a severely warped header flange. Before you slide these gaskets onto your exhaust studs, take a straight-edge or a machinist''s square and check the mating surface of your header. If there is a visible gap, you should "deck" the flange using a large flat file or a belt sander to ensure it is perfectly flat. Starting with a flat surface and a Steelbestos gasket creates a "fire-wall" seal that can withstand the highest EGTs (Exhaust Gas Temperatures) without failing.

3. Ditch the RTV and Use Copper Spray

You should never use standard silicone RTV on air-cooled VW exhaust gaskets; it will simply burn off and create a leak path. If you feel you need an extra layer of security, we recommend a light dusting of high-temp Copper Gasket Spray on both sides of the Steelbestos material. This helps the gasket "tack" into place during assembly and provides additional micro-sealing for minor imperfections in the cylinder head casting. However, because of the high-quality steel-core construction of these EMPI gaskets, they are designed to be installed dry and will provide an excellent seal on their own when properly torqued.