Dont want to hijack my own thread, its rocking along nicely, and im learning a lot. This is a, hopefully, straight forward question sequence.
I like what ive read from you, and your use seems to fit very close to my own needs, so for now, im considering the t4/sxe as something to do.
Here is my question. Starting with cold air intake, then 4 inch exhaust, then a turbo/tuner, can i follow that sequence, without buying extra parts? Or would i have to change up pipes, both for the exhaust, and a second time for the turbo change? Hope that makes sense

 

Anyone else can answer, also. I just havent figured out tagging people in here on my phone

 

Type "@" symbol.
Then start typing the member's name, then the member's name should appear in a list.
Then click on the member's name.

Like:

@Sous

 

@Tim Hodgson kewl. Thanks sir

 

Thanks Tim, I appreciate the heads up and the tag notification.

@kd5zll One of my favorite things about being in the military which is a very large team and the internet was the ability to learn from the experiences and mistakes of others so that I did not have to make those same mistakes. That is how I arrived with the T4/SXE and it was the best choice at the time. You have the ability to skip the saying "I wish I knew then what I know now".

So, when I first bought my truck, I had several maintenance items to take care of, then I started installing better performing parts to make the truck run better, smoother and more efficiently.

It went something like this....

- AIS intake
- RiffRaff boot kit w/clamps
- MBRP 4" exhaust
- Hydra with Gear Head tunes
- 360 bearing kit for turbo
- Dorman bellowed up-pipes
- ISSPRO EV2 gauges (EGT, FP, boost)
- RiffRaff 4/4 billet wheel
- Garrett high flow turbine outlet
- Delete pedestal
- Diesel Site TurboMaster
- Stuff I forgot about...

Then there were some other things that were replaced or installed due to chasing a clutch chatter issue that was misdiagnosed as axle wrap.

- OUO U-bolt flip traction bars
- AirLift 5000 air bags with wireless compressor
- Hellwig rear sway bar
- South Bend HD clutch
- Resurfaced flywheel

There are some other things like the trailer brake controller, auxiliary fuel tank and what not that don't really make a difference to this thread. If your goals for your truck are nearly the same as mine were/are, then you should double check to make sure they before proceeding and then make a list of upgrades and put them in proper order and move forward with the list until it is accomplished. I am 100% confident with my truck and its ability to tow our 12,000 lbs 5th wheel up and down any grade at a safe and comfortable speed as it sits in the backyard right now.

Contrary to old thinking, you do not need 400 or more HP to get the job done. I thought that was the case myself a couple of years ago and if you look back at some of the threads I authored, you will see I was fully on board with 160/80 injectors and a big drop in turbo. I am so very glad I didn't go that route, because with my budget it would take years before I could recover from that.

I am sure you have seen my T4/SXE install video... It is simply bolt on parts... Nothing more... Don't get yourself spooked at all the parts and crap, it is easy... I cannot speak for any kit other than the CSD kit though, so if you go with Irate or something else, you are on your own

As for your question, I believe you are asking about the priority or order of which the parts and pieces should be purchased and installed. If not, please let me know and I will correct my statement below as required.

1. A more free flowing intake is a must. Looking back now, I think the AIS would have sufficed as an intake paired with the T4/SXE, but I wanted to be sure and that is why I installed the Donaldson blue 6637 with a pre-filter cover from RiffRaff. A lot of people complain about the noise, whine or vacuum sound from the 6637 with a Garrett GTP38R or a modified stock turbo and I can tell you without a doubt that the Donaldson blue 6637 is no louder with the SXE than the modified stock turbo was with the AIS. I know people will call BS, but I don't care because I know this to be true and roll on smiling because once again outdated thinking is what people cling to. The stock intake must go though, so if you have the choice to make, you could try the AIS and see how it goes or go with the Donaldson blue 6637 and be sure.

2. I know someone running a 7.3 F-350 dually towing a 14,000 - 15,000 lbs 5th wheel using stock exhaust with his T4/SXE running on PHP 65 HP Performance tunes. The muffler was changed out for a Walker big truck muffler, but other than that it is stock 3.5" exhaust. I did install an MBRP 4" exhaust during my pursuit of good power and lower EGT's, and feel it was a nice addition to the truck at time. I would probably do it again simply because I like the clean look of the exhaust and it sounds nice. I bought the MBRP kit with the muffler, I am not a straight pipe guy. The 4" exhaust is NOT required with the T4/SXE combo, but it certainly does not hurt anything either other than your wallet.

If I were to do it all again, I may have opted for the stock exhaust, but my heart tells me that I would have desired the 4" exhaust note and look in the end.

3. If you are saying turbo/tuner as in SXE/Hydra, then yes... that is the route I wish I had gone, but I didn't and I went the modified stock route with bellowed up-pipes and all the fancy crap that comes with that pair. Forget about all of the old school, traditional and must have upgrades to the 7.3 that have been preached about for years and jump past the heartache and disappointment all while saving yourself tons of time and cash.

If you are saying turbo/tuner as in modified stock or bigger turbo, then no... You will be buying up-pipes twice because the T4 kit comes with them and you will need bellowed up-pipes for the modified stock turbo. You will need o-rings twice, you will need the install time twice, you will need everything twice, which is the route I took. At least I didn't get a bigger drop in and have to do this crap 3 times... The SXE install is cake compared to the stock or drop in turbo. Look at all the posts talking about aligning the collector to the turbo, my newly installed turbo doesn't perform, up-pipes don't fit, etc...

Some of the fellas has DP issues with the CSD kit, but that has been resolved as far as I can tell. Also, I have zero clearance issues with my ZF6 transmission and I think that was some of the issue with the 4R100 fellas, but cannot be sure. Again, I had zero problems with the CSD kit and the install of it.

Looking back now, I should have gone intake, IC boot kit, exhaust, RiffRaff boost fooler, T4/SXE, Hydra PHP 65 HP Performance and been done with it. Sell whatever take off parts you like and recoup a bit of money. At this point you will be happy with the level of performance (granted all of your sensors are good, plenums are sealed, etc...) and can run your stock AD injectors until their day arrives. Then, you can make the choice to go with a small single shot or stick with new Alliant AD's and roll on... I am hopeful my injectors will last another 100,000 or 200,000 miles which is not uncommon.

Most of that stuff in my first list could have been skipped and the funds put toward the game changing T4/SXE setup... I am so very glad I didn't go with a drop in bigger turbo and wish I had made the jump to T4/SXE before modifying the stock turbo, but we live and learn. A couple of FTE'rs ended up with some pretty good parts for their trucks though to include a local guy who bought my turbo and up-pipes.

You have to look at the ability to retain your stock injectors as a cost savings when factoring in the cost of the T4/SXE. Look at the lists of parts and the costs in my video at the 1:10 mark. You will see that the T4/SXE is not expensive since it provides the level of performance you are looking for from your truck. Especially if you compare it to the parts in my first list above. Just going off memory, I would say there is a good $600 or so in charges there that could have been avoided if I had gone T4/SXE first.

I hope this sheds some light on your questions, if not please ask me a different way or shoot me a PM and I we can discuss it there.

 

Up-pipes don't have to be touched when doing an exhaust so you won't be spending twice. The up-pipes might have to be changed when you upgrade the turbo. If your state has emissions testing find out if an aftermarket turbo will be allowed before getting to far into the planning, they apparently aren't allowed here.

 

Thanks @Sous @'88 E-350 i was asking about the exhaust, specifically, 350 nailed that, and sous, you might spoil my expectation for anywhere else... thorough, helpful, and stuff to research.... good deal. In short, i can do cold air, and even exhaust, before i pull the trigger on the turbo. Im in oklahoma, 88 so no inspection here, just pay the state yearly, and keep your headlights, and license lights on, and they usually leave you alone

 

That is what I was saying, but I guess I assumed people would know what I was referring to, but since assuming is bad, I'll elaborate.

The reason why I said you would spend money on up-pipes twice is because no one replaces/upgrades the OEM turbo with billet wheel or whatever and leaves the OEM up-pipes in place. So, purchasing and installing bellowed up-pipes is the first time your paying.

The second time would be if/when a T4 kit is purchased. Unless you are like Brokestroke, then you would be paying for a new set of up-pipes for the kit.

That is the logic behind the madness I commonly refer to as my thought process.

I tend to read too much into things, or not at all. It drives, my wife nuts even after 20 years of marriage.

I believe you got your answer, but just to be sure I will provide a short one.

Intake, yes... Just be specific about what your air needs will be in the future in order to minimize cost.

Exhaust (turbo back not up-pipes), yes... Not required for the SXE to run but I certainly enjoy the finished look and sound of the 4" exhaust.

 

Ahh, another Okie to play with

I actually prefer the sound of the stock exhaust to my 4", but whatever. The EGTs are better, i can live with the aggressive turbo notes.

 

Yeah, @Wesley Green western side here. My drama kicked off on turner after picking up a tractor in pittsburg ks.

I dont really care (much) what it sounds like, if i can tow, keep my egt low, and if im.lucky, boost mpgs, im a happy duck

My biggest thing is upgrading without doing work, or spending money twice. Chances are ill try and save longer, and change the whole mess around the turbo and plenums, all at once. And ill skip modding the stock turbo altogether. Though, more and more, looks like a tuner is really important... so i may get one sooner to see what it will do for me.

Been using my laptop with forscan. That sucker needs a manuel. I get lost in the buttons, dont know what the heck im doing.

 

IMHO if you are even remotely considering the SXE/T4 setup, don't waste your money on the AIS or SB intakes. A 6637 filter setup is all you need. There is no difference in sound when comparing the SB intake vs the 6637 with an SXE turbo.

Also the SXE flows so well there is no need for a 4inch exhaust. The stock 3.5 inch exhaust matted to the 3.5 down pipe in the CSD kit is all you need with either a Walker BT muffler or deleted the stock muffler.

 

Well, the donaldson looks simple enough.... like dang near dummy proof. I need a 4 inch elbow. And the filter. You guys prefilter, or does everyone run it raw?

 

I use a black pre-filter for aesthetic and functional purposes.