When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Ive looked over the threads that SOUS provided for T4 installs, probably should read every bit of everyone one of them, but have a few questions to hopefully get my ducks in a row so i can start ordering parts for my swap in the next month or 2. I’m currently running 205/80 injectors and am rather disappointed with my KC38R and after reading a ton of awesome reviews of the T4 setup ill be going that route but it seems most of the guys here, atleast the install threads I saw, are running either stock injectors or something close. First question is what would be a good turbo to match my injectors? I drive empty most of the time but haul my 10k 5th wheel once or twice a month during the normal camping season and might hook to something a little heavier every now and then if needed. Running 34s with 4.10 gears if that plays a role in any of the turbo numbers.
Next question is I’m running the CNC fab 4 fuel line kit. A couple of the threads say the rear lines wont work with the T4 mount, the CNC website says otherwise. What’s the real world consensus? The truck is my only vehicle so hoping when the time comes to do the swap I can get it all done without leaving the house in a long weekend.
Planning on using the CSD kit like a majority here have used, would I be best off having the up-pipes ceramic coated or will the heat wrap be good enough? Is it worthy the money to have the other main piping powder coated or would me painting them be sufficient? Trying to make everything look as nice as I can since I've got a clean engine with decent paint on it currently, like to keep it all looking nice.
Sorry for the long post just want to get everything sorted out before i spend the money properly this time. Seems I always take the long way around with most of my mods.
@Eaglescout94 , I went through pretty much the same decisions you did when I chose my T4 setup. My decision was to
Use a conventional .91 AR turbine housing and run with the 364.5 or
Use a VGT/VNT and run the 366.
I chose the latter. It has turned out to be the most responsive turbo setup I have ever driven that still has a top end. In fact, the boost is currently controller-limited to 35psi so I don't blow the plastic end tanks on my 6.0 intercooler. It will be interestting to see what level of boost I can manage/dare to run once a proper intercooler is installed.
As for the 4-line feed, there is nothing that can't be fixed with a good tube bender.
Cncfab will sell you the two rear lines for their 4 line feed that are designed to fit with a t4 mount. I have them, and they fit very nice.
Turbo wise, I would go with a 364.5 80/73 with a .91.
You could also save money by doing a kc300x stage 2 63/73 .84. Kc is goin to be coming out with an updated version soon
Eaglescout94, the thread I created in May of 2018 about my decision process and how I came to choose a T4/SXE over a KC is no longer valid. There are numerous more choices available from KC now to include the turbine wheel and drop in turbos. As a matter of fact, the entire line of drop in turbos was not even being discussed publicly at that time and now Charlie (KC Turbo owner) recently mentioned a "2nd generation of turbos coming out.
That said, my T4/SXE install is in no way, shape or form a mistake. I ended up paying about the same as I would have for a KC Turbo and have achieved my goal. So, it is a wash for me on a personal level, but I know my situation and circumstances are not like most others.
The fellas above have some good advice for you to follow, they have each been down this road before and are now very happy with the results. Each of them took a different path to the finish line though, as you may or may not see from their signatures. From different sized SXE turbos up to a Turbonator install. Glean as much information as you can from these guys and others like them.
Speaking of information from other FTE'rs, check out this thread if you have not seen it: T4 / SXE Parts List
Toward the bottom of the first post, I have this excerpt:
Many other FTE'rs have installed the T4/SXE, but they don't have an "install" thread to link here (that I could find).
A vast wealth of knowledge from FTE'rs, just like and me. I am grateful for several of them to have gone before me so I could learn from them before I made the same journey to a very well running 20 year old truck.
Corey at CNC Fabrication is a stand up guy and as Eric mentioned, his fuel line kit is top notch. But, as you mentioned the OEM fuel line kit from CNC does not work with the T4 pedestal. The basic reason why is because the OEM pedestal is raised above the valley more than the T4 pedestal so the OEM line from CNC will most likely come into contact with the T4 pedestal. Perhaps you can source just the new line you need from Corey since you already have the other parts of the kit, it is worth a shot to ask.
As a secondary option since choices are usually good to have, check out the Riffraff FRx and fuel line hose kit I have linked below. The parts from Riffraff will do essentially the same thing as the CNC Fab kit, just a different way of accomplishing it.
As Leonard (FordTruckNoob) said above, he took a very similar journey as you are considering, some of the details for his journey including video results, parts list and a bunch of other stuff is linked here: FTN's T4/SXE Build/Conversion Thread
As you indicated in your post, I am still running OEM 255,000 mile injectors, so I will let the other fellas that have modified and hybrid injectors address your concerns on that as I have no ground to stand on. I have plans to go to a new Alliant 160/0 or Bitterroot Diesel 160/30 one day, but who knows when that will be.
As for coating, from memory the ceramic coating is NOT to be considered worth it for a daily driver/tow pig. I would recommend to exhaust wrap the up-pipes and go on about your install knowing that you have done a good job. I wrapped the up-pipes and down pipe to under the cab after painting them with VHT black. I decided on this after speaking to people who had their pipes coated by CSD and other shops. The cost vs. benefit is just not there for someone like me, but you are a different person, so it may be worth it to you.
As for your question on main piping, I believe you are talking about the intercooler tubes. If so, you can go with a Rustoleum Enamel (rated to 500*) of your choice. Cheap and easy to use in many, many colors. I used the VHT high temperature paint in black satin in 2018 because I was not made aware of the Rustoleum option until last year. You have probably seen pictures of my engine bay, so I will leave it at that. I also painted the surface of the T4 pedestal, but should have gone the route that Leonard did and left the o-ring mating surfaces bare. No problems as of yet (knock on wood), but it is a mistake that I will not make again in the future.
No apologies required or asked for regarding the length of your post. Some of us enjoy finding the details in each and every paragraph and if you have questions about a product with many pieces and options, you will have a lot to say/ask.
We are here to support you in whatever decision you want to make as you should do what is best for your application and we are standing by to encourage you along the way in order to achieve success.
I know for a fact Corey will sell just the 2 rear t4 lines. I originally ordered a 4 line for a drop in setup, before install I deceoded to sell my gtp38r that was on the shelf and go to another t4, I called, they shipped the lines for exchange since I had not installed the other yet. All I had to do was cover shipping.
Thanks everyone for the responses so far. I do kinda remember reason FTN’s thread, the 12 hour work days and lack of sleep definitely aren’t helping keep me sharp. I guess ill hold off for a bit before ordering some turbo parts to see if the new KC line are worth spending the money on. Then again I might still go with the T4, my KC kinda left a bad taste in my mouth after having to back for warranty in the first year and just doesnt spool like I’d like. Guess Ill do some more thorough reading of all the threads and come back with more questions when I think of them. Good to know that CNC has replacement lines that will work, i love the look of the lines I’ve got now.
Thanks everyone for the responses so far. I do kinda remember reason FTN’s thread, the 12 hour work days and lack of sleep definitely aren’t helping keep me sharp. I guess ill hold off for a bit before ordering some turbo parts to see if the new KC line are worth spending the money on. Then again I might still go with the T4, my KC kinda left a bad taste in my mouth after having to back for warranty in the first year and just doesnt spool like I’d like. Guess Ill do some more thorough reading of all the threads and come back with more questions when I think of them. Good to know that CNC has replacement lines that will work, i love the look of the lines I’ve got now.
It may not spool like you like due to being too large of an option for decent towing use..especially with a bit larger tire.
I wouldnt hesitate to run the 300x stage 2
Especially if you alreay have bellowed pipes etc.
It spooled fine, I think, when I had my worn out stock injectors but then I rebuilt the engine and put in the hybrids. Also didn’t have anything heavy enough to pull at the time so it really was no comparison to my current situation. Ive got the larger tires but with the gearing doesn’t it put me back to a stockish setup( 265/75r16 with 3.73s)? And the tires I’m running weigh maybe 2 pounds more than what I was running in the stock size. Hoping whatever turbo setup I go with helps wake the truck up, just doesn’t seem to be at the power level it should be or I could be expecting too much. I’m not aware of anyone close with a maintained and built 7.3 to compare to. As far as the bellowed up-pipes, they’re there but I’m thinking I installed dorman when I did, no leaks that I’ve seen so far. Just gonna be a lot more reading and waiting to see how the new turbo selection performs. I might have caught the bug and want the t4 so I’ve got something that boosts more linear and let’s me hold overdrive with the camper in the Missouri hills without having to down shift and add a ton of boost and a large puff of black smoke each time
It spooled fine, I think, when I had my worn out stock injectors but then I rebuilt the engine and put in the hybrids. Also didn’t have anything heavy enough to pull at the time so it really was no comparison to my current situation. Ive got the larger tires but with the gearing doesn’t it put me back to a stockish setup( 265/75r16 with 3.73s)? And the tires I’m running weigh maybe 2 pounds more than what I was running in the stock size. Hoping whatever turbo setup I go with helps wake the truck up, just doesn’t seem to be at the power level it should be or I could be expecting too much. I’m not aware of anyone close with a maintained and built 7.3 to compare to. As far as the bellowed up-pipes, they’re there but I’m thinking I installed dorman when I did, no leaks that I’ve seen so far. Just gonna be a lot more reading and waiting to see how the new turbo selection performs. I might have caught the bug and want the t4 so I’ve got something that boosts more linear and let’s me hold overdrive with the camper in the Missouri hills without having to down shift and add a ton of boost and a large puff of black smoke each time
Gearing is huge when towing, at least you have 4.10 with the tires so it shouldnt be too bad. What size exhaust housing is on your kc38r?
You would be surprised at how much better the smaller kc would do. The whole holding gear up a grade is a under the turbo and rpm issue. You have a larger turbo and therefor need higher rpms. Dorman bellowed pipes are just fine to install.
Hopefully@Peixinho will chime in and give some input and advise.
I’ll have to check for the exhaust housing size, thought it was in my emails but it’s not. The more I look at the KC stuff the more I’m leaning towards the t4. Their website shows recommended injector sizes and when I compared mine and asked them a while back they still said i would be fine with the smaller of the turbo options for what I have. Just seems a lot of the stuff I read on their site and have heard from them directly contradicts each other and I’m not impressed with what I’ve got. I don’t like having my engine revving high and would rather not have a turbo that requires it to work “properly”.
Personally I am a small turbo kinda guy, and a bit of an oddball from the norm. I would prefer to run the smallest turbo that will still support the mods and goals for my truck. This allows for quicker spool with less smoke. Every person and truck is different so there is no one right choice.
I would recommend calling a couple of the turbo specialty companies for their advice on the SXE sizing. When I was reconsidering what size to run I spoke to 2 companies who I thought gave me good advice.
AGPTurbo https://agpturbo.com/
High Tech Turbo https://www.htturbo.com/
I would also call and speak to KC for their opinion on best of their options and SXE.
I have been trying to build a document that will help address the main point of your thread. A turbo matrix with real world impressions of various turbos and setups. It’s still in the works but we have a concept thread which has the matrix updated on the first post. I would skip reading the thread but instead only check out the matrix itself and see if it helps. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...x-concept.html
With all that being said, have you checked your current setup for boost leaks or an issue with the wastegate? Is the red line still attached?
I’ll have to check for the exhaust housing size, thought it was in my emails but it’s not. The more I look at the KC stuff the more I’m leaning towards the t4. Their website shows recommended injector sizes and when I compared mine and asked them a while back they still said i would be fine with the smaller of the turbo options for what I have. Just seems a lot of the stuff I read on their site and have heard from them directly contradicts each other and I’m not impressed with what I’ve got. I don’t like having my engine revving high and would rather not have a turbo that requires it to work “properly”.
Their recommendation of a smaller turbo directly impacts this. It sounds like they are giving you solid advice. The larger the turbo, the more rpm you need. Personally I would look at turbos based on their largest injectors it will support. This will keep you in a smaller size turbo which will help with the spool and lower rpm desire you’re describing.
I’ll have to check for the exhaust housing size, thought it was in my emails but it’s not. The more I look at the KC stuff the more I’m leaning towards the t4. Their website shows recommended injector sizes and when I compared mine and asked them a while back they still said i would be fine with the smaller of the turbo options for what I have. Just seems a lot of the stuff I read on their site and have heard from them directly contradicts each other and I’m not impressed with what I’ve got. I don’t like having my engine revving high and would rather not have a turbo that requires it to work “properly”.
Get what you are saying. The main advantage of a t4 setup is the ability to more cost effectly change supercore sizes. If you spend the money on a t4 and 364.5sxe, you will have almost identical performance as the kc300x 63/73 .84
Both are good choices
