Prepare to have your manifold explode in a shower of flaming tinfoil. I have one new in my garage I'll sell you for $70 when yours dies.

Can I ask why you think it is a fake and why you think it will explode?

I talked to Stephanie. The original owner lost the turbo support and sent the manifold back to Begi. They added additional supports along the runners and collector area.

I got the turbo and manifold flanges milled this week. The air leak is smaller than before, but still there.

This time when I installed the turbo and manifold, I connected them both together outside of the car to make sure that everything was nice and flat and tight.

I took another video today. I had my wife sit in the car and rev it a few times and I also sprayed some soapy water to look for air leaks. The noise is usually there at idle, but starts to disappear at higher revs.

Here are two videos. The first is from today and the second is from a couple weeks ago.

My question is, is the noise related to an air leak or is it something with the turbo itself? A couple people have told me it sounded metallic, not like air.

guess you need a gasket.

I've thought about a gasket, but begi says not to put one there.
Brain, what does the noise sound like to you? Air or something wrong with the turbo itself?

If you bought this from BEGi, the manifold leaks/stretches studs, and they tell you not to use a gasket...ask them what you are doing wrong.

I don't think it's the turbo. Usually when the bearing makes strange noises, that noise changes with turbine rpm.

If the noise doesn't change with turbine shaft speed, it's not the turbo. It's just an air leak somewhere, probably in your bypass valve (if you have one).

Wow that sucks. I vote just drive it for a little while and maybe it will seal itself with soot.

you can see the air leak when/if you watch the videos.

it's clear he has a leak between the manifold and turbo.

so either tha flanges are still not true, or you tigthen bolts like a ninny.

I used a stamped steel gasket with the little groove before, is what many OEM's use, and works absolutely great.

I don't see anything wrong with using one of those

Thanks for the input. Would something like Permatex Ultra Copper Maximum Temperature RTV Silicone Gasket Maker or Rutland Hi-Temp Stove & Gasket Cement be acceptable instead or purchasing a metal gasket?

no, metal gasket.

Are we still worried about them blowing out and destroying the turbo?

they wont destroy a turbo. but they might blow out, one day, and put you back to square one.

I thought that was always the concern about putting one there is that it would get sucked into the turbo if the gasket broke.

If I get a gasket, any recommendations on the material or thickness?

one that looks like what 18psi posted, and one that fits.

I got a gasket and it stopped the air leak visible in my videos. However, the noise is still there exactly as before. The noise is loudest at the rear of the turbo, above the downpipe. I guess there could be another leak.

Some have suggested it could be something wrong with the turbo. If it is, what might it be and how could I check?

If it spools aok then dont worry about it.