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For what its worth I've seen a few pics of snapped Irate bellows when they had the old style. I would assume that's probably why they changed to a different style.
I can't get a picture right now, but it does have an exhaust flex pipe liner on the inside like this:
Interesting.
I’m pretty sure the CSD kit had the braided outside with an accordion style inside (which I always maybe mistakenly called “bellowed”). I believe this is the same accordion style that is used in the stock turbo “bellowed” uppipes. Guess I could climb in the attic and look at those when I get home… Of so then the CSD style should have many miles on a similar flex joint.
I have no idea on the type you’re showing a photo of. Haven’t seen that kind before myself.
So this is the type of flex joint the irate (and CSD) pipes use:
These are the kind recommended by exhaust part manufacturers for pre turbo:
And almost every seller of these joints that I've come across says stuff like this:
Again, it'd *probably* be fine, but that evidently involves a level of risk, enough to warrant these kind of disclaimers and warranty exclusions.
I have not ever heard of an issue with Irate or CSD bellows. I think any concern with the quality of either companies product, the bellow in this case, is a mute point. I believe any concern or worry is all in vain.
I have not ever heard of an issue with Irate or CSD bellows. I think any concern with the quality of either companies product, the bellow in this case, is a mute point. I believe any concern or worry is all in vain.
Have to agree to disagree on that, but time will tell regardless, and a cross of the fingers can't hurt.
I've been working on cutting the plenum bolt next to the HPOP so I can install the RR plenums. Unfortunately I had to cut the bolt twice to get it fully out, and at one point the cutting disk got bound up and pushed itself in to the HPOP mating surface. There's a small gouge in it.
Wondering if it'd be a good idea to rub some of the Ford RTV in there before I put the gasket on, or would the gasket be enough to seal it?
T4 and similar kits have been around for quite a while. I performed an exhaustive amount of research before going "all in" with the CSD T4 kit and I found no shrapnel type failures during my research.
Perhaps I just missed all of them, but we all know that a lot of people come to forums like this to complain or to air their distaste for a product, service or company.
I think you'll be more than fine with what Irate uses for their expansion joints. Sometimes it helps to take a step back and look for actual failures instead of theory based questions. Before the folks on here took the leap to the 68mm turbine, everything else you could find on the forums was that it was too small and would never work, and that we need the 73mm for the 7.3 to breathe right....
EDIT: I tend to overthink things on the daily and the OBS folks set me straight.
The one manufacturer I've spoken with has referenced real world failures with those joints in general, but yes I've not seen any as it relates to 7.3 T4 kits specifically. Here's hoping it'll be fine for as long as I own it.
Drivers side head and valley got their first coat today. Still need to do passenger head and machined surfaces. RR plenums are amazingly designed, super sturdy, and so painless to put on. Really glad I went with them instead of the stock ones.
The one manufacturer I've spoken with has referenced real world failures with those joints in general, but yes I've not seen any as it relates to 7.3 T4 kits specifically. Here's hoping it'll be fine for as long as I own it.
Drivers side head and valley got their first coat today. Still need to do passenger head and machined surfaces. RR plenums are amazingly designed, super sturdy, and so painless to put on. Really glad I went with them instead of the stock ones.
Are you planning to use a 90 degree ORB to JIC adapters at the heads for the HPOP lines? I believe those have to be put in before RR plenums are installed.
Are you planning to use 90 degree ORB to JIC adapters at the heads for the HPOP lines? I believe those have to be put in before RR plenums are installed.
If so, that is a DEAL KILLER.
O-rings are an expendable item and having to remove plenums to swap an o-ring would suck....
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