Hi

What is the consensus regarding the dorman bellowed up pipes?
How is the fitment and overall quality?

 

IMHO Dorman is garbage, I have used parts from them in the past and had issues. I go OEM and never had fitment or longevity issues.


Riffraff Diesel: International Bellowed Up-pipe Kit 99.5-03

 

Hi

I have used some dorman products in the past with no issues..mainly with my Buick Regal GS but this 7.3 is new to me so was wondering what people's experiences were with these pipes.

 

I think Trey was considering these up pipes but has not done it yet. I am sure he will chime in here soon. One person used the Foorman front cover for our engine and it did not work. I have never had a problem with any doorman part that I have purchased. Usually smaller items but no issues. Would like to see someone have success with these as they are half price of international pipes.

 

I was reading a thread about them on Powerstroke Army. It seems that the length of the Dorman uppipes is s little short. (~1/4-1/2") Stretching the bellows when installing them overcomes this problem. As far as longevity, that is still being tested, but seem to be holding up.

 

Hi

I saw that post. As I recall..that was on an early 99. It seemed that they felt it was primarily due to that regarding the fitment. I believe the turbos are different on that early 99... ?

 

I am interested as well. Dorman exhaust manifolds seem to be hit or miss, some of them work perfectly and others have no chance of fitting. At half the price of IH pipes I sure hope they work out.

 

Heres how I look at things like this. Even if it is half the price, do you want to do something that is a pita to begin with, only to find that after you tore it apart you have to send them back and order IH parts anyway? Then there is the down time and the time you wasted to determine the cheapos don't fit. On top of that they are usually chinee, and the materials are questionable. All this to save 200 bucks? Not a real bargain if you think about it. But thats just me.

 

I have used Dorman products before, I had an old 87 GMC 3500 with a 454, that needed manifolds but Dorman was the only one out there. I installed them and had issues with the #8 holes not lining up so I had to drill out a small part of the manifold. Within 3 months the passenger side cracked. The driver side also had many leak issues even with new gaskets. I took the original ones to a local welding shop and had both welded for 50.00, Tossed the dormans in the scrap pile.
I also bought a 99 Crown victoria LX off an elderly man with a cracked intake manifold, The PO included a dorman unit with the sale. I installed it and about a week later I smelled coolant So I looked and the manifold was leaking coolant around the #4 cylinder. I called the PO and was nice enough to meet me at autozoo to exchange it, After installing for the second time I felt a total loss of power and a sluggish response. Upon reading lots of forums and research I found that dorman does not make their products to OE spec. The intakes (4.6) have much smaller water jackets and intake runners. Went to the Ford dealer and shelled out 400.00 for a new one and I never had any issues after that for 50,000 miles until I sold the car. Moral of the story I do not trust any aftermarket part that provides such a crucial role in engine performance I now learned my lesson OEM or nothing. With how much is involved in an Uppie change I would only want to do it once IMO.

 

I am either going with stock stuff. or if can scrounge up enough funds for the bellowed.

I have a van so there easier to get to is why I wouldn't mind doing stock OEM stuff. nothing like easy access.

 

I have a set in the garage but it has been to dam cold to tear into this job now and besides I am fighting an oil cooler leak at the front gasket. I will post when done but don't count on it until spring.

 

I know RDP won't carry the Dorman because they tested a set and weren't up to snuff compared with the IH. But RockAuto has them now for $208, and that's a pretty damn good price. I may order some next month. As Roland knows, I've got a little leak.

Right now I'm either at Dormans or just replacing the donut gasket. I'm not sure if Trey went through with getting them or not.

 

jeff i think nicmike is going to get a set of Dorman pipes and come back down this way to tear into it at my place 2nd week or so in feb. will definitely report on the fitment issues and my review on quality. im hopeful... but holding my breath lol...

 

Awesome, let me know for sure. I may go ahead and just replace the donuts, and get that practice pulling the turbo while I'm at it. I'm looking at ordering a few things from Bob as we speak. Building my wish list to see where I stand lol. It's kinda depressing knowing I have to prioritize.

 

think of it this way...
as long as no more fuel or oil shows up in your coolant... the big stuff is taken care of.
after pipes, either way you go... everything else is maintenance or new toys.