Berk HFC flange warp???
 

Has anybody else had this issue?

I had berk HFC. and catback on stock headers (downpipes).

after about 5k miles I started getting CEL lights related to exhaust leaks. upon inspection, the gaskets HFC to header were leaking really badly.

Nissan 370Z Forum - SurfDog's Album: Surfdog 09 370z sport - Picture

I installed metallic gaskets from Z1 but the problem reappeared quickly.

Looking carefully at the flanges they appear warped (from heat?) and cannot seat well enough to seal up. My local speed shop says this is common and welds on some steel to the flanges to keep them straight so they can seal.

I'm keeping the Cats (for emissions days)

Here's the question. Has anybody tried this (reinforcing the flange) does it cause fitment headaches and does it solve the problem???

otherwise ill just slather on some high temp silicon for emissions days. (edit: of course I mean when I take the Z on regulated roads... :) mods)

eventually this rig is going back to California so I'm hoping for a permanent fix.