Which up pipes?
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 793
Likes: 29
Am presuming the focus is on the IH pipes and not the Ford ones.
If the budget allows, consider ceramic coating and a bonus of going with stainless. From what I recall, only one vendor has stainless and does ceramic as part of the sale. Depending on how much mileage and towing duty the truck will get in the future, stainless might be overkill.
In terms of vendor, the sponsors have regular comments of good support, so see if you need any other parts while you are working swapping the up-pipes and see who has the best total price.
As a local alternative, if there is an IH shop nearby, can check their price.
While not mentioned as part of the question, make sure the manifolds are good.
If the budget allows, consider ceramic coating and a bonus of going with stainless. From what I recall, only one vendor has stainless and does ceramic as part of the sale. Depending on how much mileage and towing duty the truck will get in the future, stainless might be overkill.
In terms of vendor, the sponsors have regular comments of good support, so see if you need any other parts while you are working swapping the up-pipes and see who has the best total price.
As a local alternative, if there is an IH shop nearby, can check their price.
While not mentioned as part of the question, make sure the manifolds are good.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 793
Likes: 29
Typical indicator is price (but not always) where SS are noticeably higher cost. Also, if the description does not explicitly state the metal type, I'd presume they were *not* stainless even if the price does seem higher than normal.
The narrative in Rock Auto indicates the Dorman parts are "Steel Tubing", so am not sold that they are SS. Naturally, this does not mean that there are no SS Dorman up-pipes, just means that Rock Auto does not have them in stainless.
The narrative in Rock Auto indicates the Dorman parts are "Steel Tubing", so am not sold that they are SS. Naturally, this does not mean that there are no SS Dorman up-pipes, just means that Rock Auto does not have them in stainless.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 546
Likes: 1
From: reedsport
Typical indicator is price (but not always) where SS are noticeably higher cost. Also, if the description does not explicitly state the metal type, I'd presume they were *not* stainless even if the price does seem higher than normal.
The narrative in Rock Auto indicates the Dorman parts are "Steel Tubing", so am not sold that they are SS. Naturally, this does not mean that there are no SS Dorman up-pipes, just means that Rock Auto does not have them in stainless.
The narrative in Rock Auto indicates the Dorman parts are "Steel Tubing", so am not sold that they are SS. Naturally, this does not mean that there are no SS Dorman up-pipes, just means that Rock Auto does not have them in stainless.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,657
Likes: 967
From: Walpole, MA
IIRC diesel site has a set of stainless uppies, not terrible price. Not dorman cheap but not Navistar expensive.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 793
Likes: 29
It really comes down to budget and goals. Seems the only known item at the moment is the up-pipes need replacing 
Were it my truck and I planned to keep it long term, I'd go for the stainless IH pipes as it reduces the chance of needing to replace them in the future. Paying extra for ceramic coating will help with the turbo's performance and heat control under the hood for a bit better performance out of the motor when pulling hard.
If the budget is tight or am not planning on keeping the truck, the steel / doughnut pipes will work as long as I know that they might fail again in the next 100K miles / 10 years.
Seeing as the money and truck are not mine, only you can make the call of which way to go
Were it my truck and I planned to keep it long term, I'd go for the stainless IH pipes as it reduces the chance of needing to replace them in the future. Paying extra for ceramic coating will help with the turbo's performance and heat control under the hood for a bit better performance out of the motor when pulling hard.
If the budget is tight or am not planning on keeping the truck, the steel / doughnut pipes will work as long as I know that they might fail again in the next 100K miles / 10 years.
Seeing as the money and truck are not mine, only you can make the call of which way to go
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 546
Likes: 1
From: reedsport
It really comes down to budget and goals. Seems the only known item at the moment is the up-pipes need replacing
Were it my truck and I planned to keep it long term, I'd go for the stainless IH pipes as it reduces the chance of needing to replace them in the future. Paying extra for ceramic coating will help with the turbo's performance and heat control under the hood for a bit better performance out of the motor when pulling hard.
If the budget is tight or am not planning on keeping the truck, the steel / doughnut pipes will work as long as I know that they might fail again in the next 100K miles / 10 years.
Seeing as the money and truck are not mine, only you can make the call of which way to go
Were it my truck and I planned to keep it long term, I'd go for the stainless IH pipes as it reduces the chance of needing to replace them in the future. Paying extra for ceramic coating will help with the turbo's performance and heat control under the hood for a bit better performance out of the motor when pulling hard.
If the budget is tight or am not planning on keeping the truck, the steel / doughnut pipes will work as long as I know that they might fail again in the next 100K miles / 10 years.
Seeing as the money and truck are not mine, only you can make the call of which way to go
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 914
Likes: 4
I called Dorman, back when I was shopping for up-pipes. They are mild steel, made in China.
That said, they are an excellent value for the price. Unless you have money to burn (or are installing your 7.3L in an ocean-going marine application), the IH pipes are a waste of money. The Dormans accomplish the same goal ( to prevent leaks from the flawed oem Ford pipe/gasket design), for a lot less money. Sure, they will eventually rust, but I think that will take a LONG time, as they are pretty heavy gauge material.
That said, they are an excellent value for the price. Unless you have money to burn (or are installing your 7.3L in an ocean-going marine application), the IH pipes are a waste of money. The Dormans accomplish the same goal ( to prevent leaks from the flawed oem Ford pipe/gasket design), for a lot less money. Sure, they will eventually rust, but I think that will take a LONG time, as they are pretty heavy gauge material.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 914
Likes: 4
Also, if long term durability is a concern, I would still buy the Dorman pipes, and use some of the savings to have them properly ceramic coated. Once you do that, they are just as durable, and better performing then the IH pipes (ceramic coating holds in heat, and improves exhaust velocity); and you should still be a little ahead, money wise, vs the IH pipes.
