Borla UEL Header Installed, exhaust leak now?
 

So with a couple of local guys, we installed the Borla UEL header. Now while sitting idle in my garage, after revs I can smell fumes from the front driver side of the car. There is no issues or problems when driving the car. Whats the best way to test for leaks from the header and overripe? I used the grimspeed gaskets for the header flanges.

remove aluminum panel, let car completely cool down. Start the car then book ass back under the car and stick your hand around the 3 possible leak areas to see if you can feel anything leaking. Stock up on aloe.

Get the car in the air and crank it up. Then get under it with a piece of paper or preferably cellophane and hold it up to each flange where you think it is leaking. If there's a leak the paper will flutter.

If you have access, smoke machine on the tailpipe.

Also, it's a borla header, look for cracks...

Are you sure its not just normal exhaust fumes? The whole car will stick up depending on the wind/enclosed area you are in

An exhaust leak big enough to give you fumes should sound very apparent, if there is no ticking/knocking at WOT you should be fine. How many miles are on the header? The first few drives smelled strong of fumes underhood due to the burning off of oil on the header

Spot on post. In addition to the manufacturing oils burning off you are likely just experiencing the increased exhaust fumes and noise from the elimination of your primary cat. An exhaust leak generally makes a distinct sound as mentioned above.

Its been less than 500 miles. I will be doing some logging. I dont think there is any knock. I have never experienced knock. There were no cracks and the header looked decent for borla quality.

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I think I might have the same leak on my Rev Works UEL. I think the fit of the header to overpipe is a bit picky. Might need to use a tiny dab of putty to hold the gasket in place before fitting up the exhaust and tightening down. Leaks can also happen if you don't evenly torque down the bolts.