Hi Guys (and Girls!),

I'm planning to replace the cat'ed center section with a resonated decat on my MY97 classic to compliment the Prodrive ECU I installed a couple of months back. I've already done the 'Y' pipe and have a free(er) flowing back-box, so this is the final bit of the 'package' I need to do do complete the PPP kit.

I've already got a new gasket to join the center pipe to the back-box, but can anyone advise if I'm likely to need to replace the 'cone' gasket to join the center pipe to the downpipe? I've not seen one of these type of gaskets before, so wasn't sure if they're designed to be re-usable or not, as from the description, it sounds like they're supposed to be a flexible joint, rather than fixed!?

 

I change pipes twice a year for MOT's and have kept the same cone and rear gasket for the past four years. I used to be **** and replace EVERY time but it adds up money wise and so far neither has broken down or leaked. Of course that may be because they are genuine OE ones as cheapo gaskets from ebay breakdown the second you take them off of a used pipe.

To be sure I would get one anyway. Then you have a spare if you don't need it. The cone is not flexible, its made of a ridgid steel mesh. The joint is flexible as it uses spring bolts. I would be more worried about replacing the bolts and nuts as these are more likely to fail if they are rusted. To ensure they last forever use plenty of copper slip on them from new and they won't rust or seize.

 

Thanks for that. I had a look at the spring bolts yesterday and am definitely going to get replacements for them, as they didn't look in the best of condition. As you suggest, I think I'll replace the whole lot, to be on the safe-side.

Cheers! :-)

 

Lads

Just get a high flow catted downpipe and save yourself the hassle of swapping come MOT time.