I took the engine out this morning and had a look at where the exhaust header meets the engine. In my opinion it was quite loose. It did not feel to me that it was making a seal of any form. Also, the purple silcone coupler from the header to the tuned pipe seemed loose to me as well. How tight of a seal should things be?

I also changed the gearing to 49t/15t. Will this be to much torque with this engine?

With this gearing, will I need to make it shift later then factory setting or sooner? From 1st to second, and from second to thrid?

Thanks for all the help/suggestions so far!!