pretty simple question. I have the stock up-pipes (as far as I can tell) on my truck, and am debating whether or not to replace them with the bellowed up-pipes. I have no visible exhaust leakage, and I was just wondering whether it makes a huge difference replacing the stock up-pipes if they are not leaking yet...

so should i spend my money on a new set of up-pipes or on a limited slip rear diff?

 

I'd be willing to bet good money they're leaking, you just haven't discovered where yet.

Stewart

 

well as far back behind the engine as I can see i do not see any soot....are there other signs of leakage that I should be looking for? is it worth the 500 for new ones if i cant see a significant leak?

 

if there not leaking dont worry about it right now..if you got $$$ too burn..then go for it..you dont get any extra power from putting them on..i been seeing quite a few DI bellow for sale in the classifieds over on PSN..i got a set of new IH pipes over there for $100 a couple years ago..

 

I have a running list of long term maintenance/fix goals for my truck - the up pipes were on it and I had the same questions you did. Btw, mine were leaking, but not terribly. I plan to drive and maintain my truck for a reasonably long period of time - I asked Clay at Riff Raff if he thought it was worth the money b/c $400+ is a little steep. His response was balanced and intelligent. You can repair the stock donuts, but at some undetermined time they will fail again. If may be 50k or 5k miles and then you'll need to pull the turbo, etc. . . .the cost of the part makes up for the cost of the repair multiple times and there is some piece of mind in knowing that your truck is well set up. In most circles people would think I'm strange for having a running list of maintenance/ fix/ improve goals but here it seems more the rule than the exception. With it comes no guarantee, but confidence in the service my truck will provide. Hell - that was long winded - sorry.

 

I didn't see any soot on my up pipes untill I got my DP TUNER. I couldn't make smoke before the chip. I think my pipes were leaking before, but I couldn't see it.

 

Turbochargers rely on exhaust drive pressure to build boost.
If there are any leaks, the boost will build slower and not as high.
The more boost is needed the faster that leak will bleed off pressure.
It's never an issue at light load, idle, etc.
The real problems begin when the engine is really needing to make some power, such as pulling a trailer up a mountain pass.
That is where the big difference will be.
.
I have bellowed pipes.
On the PHP 80hp tune, I stomp on the throttle, exhaust belches a large puff of black smoke, then the turbo spools up NOW and the smoke clears as the truck takes off like a scalded dog.

 

i cant see soot on my pipes but i know they are leaking, i reached way in behind the turbo and felt the pipes and my hand was covered with soot. 2 reasons that i knew they were leaking, 1. when i would let to truck warm up i could smell exhaust in the cab, 2. i have noticed the my boost pressure was slowly going down, not having the max number i used to.

 

If you end up deciding to do it you shouldn't have to pay this much...

 

These Up-pipes are on my first to do list when I get back to work, I just got a very very small area after the BB on the pipe where Pete duckfan pointed out to me at RRE09 so they will be going in at some point in the near future. No noticeable power loss or smell but I'm doing them because they will need to be changed out sometime, might as well do it now before the price goes up again, and they will..Clay's who I'll be calling.

 

Don't be sorry.....there's absolutely nothing wrong with long term planning. The trouble many Americans get into these days is rushing into something without thinking of all the ramifications.

Dave Ramsey says "a well informed and patient man always wins". Stay the course!

 

thanks guys, I said 500 beacuse when i get them i plan on getting the ceramic coating. Also i'm tryin to figure out whether to use the money for a limited slip rear end or on the up-pipes. I live in eastern WA, so its a tad annoying to have only one wheel spinning in the snow...but its not something that i cant deal with if the up-pipes are a better investment

 

having the up pies leak is a reason for bad mpg's? i can smell exhaust inside me ex sometimes and am getting horrific mpg's

 

sorry for the bad spelling

 

Yes, leaking up-pipes will cause loss of performance, boost, mpg and will cause you to be able to smell exhaust sometimes.