So copper RTV on top of the gasket is ok? After about an hour of me sitting there thinking the whole not level part was the only conclusion I could come to since it seemed a little pitched. Air is only leaking out the top. I tightend this s**t outta them too. Im gonna use you method and see where it gets me. As for now I just gotta drive it this way for atleast today. The exhaust deffinetly smells alot different without the cat tho. Well and exhaust leak