Exhaust Manifold Gasket

[pjq]

2004 S - Has anyone installed new exhaust manifold gaskets lately, porsche part #996 111 107 55. The bolt holes line up but the oval exhaust holes are bigger on the new gasket leaving not much coverage at the exhaust holes on the heads. They barely cover the curved channel just above the exhaust holes on the heads.

The original gasket hole size were (50.8 x 33), the new are (60.3 x 39.7). I checked the Porsche part # for the 996 and it is the same part. I spoke to a Porsche dealership and they said it will work. Does anybody have experience with the new gasket? I'm tempted to use my old one with some permetex exhaust silicon.

What is the purpose for the curved channel above the exhaust holes on the engine head?

[spendy]

The curved channel is for the air injection system. The same gasket is used on 987's. Maybe they enlarged the ports to use it with 987.2 also? I used a set on my '98 986 a couple months ago and didn't notice the change. I haven't had any problems with them, but I am not sure they are the larger size. Mine were aftermarket Victor Reinz parts (oem mfg) rather than the porsche badged ones.

[Joe90]

I have the exact same problem:
I fitted the new gasket and it started leaking very quickely.
Everywhere I ask they say there is only one gasket with the bigger holes.
I am interested to here if there is a better fitting gasket on the market.

Originally Posted by pjq

2004 S - Has anyone installed new exhaust manifold gaskets lately, porsche part #996 111 107 55. The bolt holes line up but the oval exhaust holes are bigger on the new gasket leaving not much coverage at the exhaust holes on the heads. They barely cover the curved channel just above the exhaust holes on the heads.

The original gasket hole size were (50.8 x 33), the new are (60.3 x 39.7). I checked the Porsche part # for the 996 and it is the same part. I spoke to a Porsche dealership and they said it will work. Does anybody have experience with the new gasket? I'm tempted to use my old one with some permetex exhaust silicon.

What is the purpose for the curved channel above the exhaust holes on the engine head?

[pjq]

installing it on the engine you have limited adjustment, up down or side to side, so for installation it is what it is. So far I have 385 miles on the installation and I haven't noticed any large amount of black soot in the engine bay area. As I was installing it I thought I would have issues later but so far so good.

[Joe90]

Originally Posted by pjq

installing it on the engine you have limited adjustment, up down or side to side, so for installation it is what it is. So far I have 385 miles on the installation and I haven't noticed any large amount of black soot in the engine bay area. As I was installing it I thought I would have issues later but so far so good.

Not what I wanted to here, I was hoping you had found a better fitting gasket.
Good luck with it anyway