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Doing a tranny swap in two weeks and planning on doing the Up Pipes and exhaust at the same time.
I originally ordered a Dorman kit and it was defective. The centering pin on the collector was installed offset. Sent it back, got another one and it too had the centering pin off set.
Tried Riff Raff, there out of stock. Tried XPD and they won't ship a kit to California.
So I need some suggestions on a good kit, and supplier that can ship in a timely manner.
I got a set of the Dormans with the offset alignment pin. My advice is dry fit them to the collector on the bench and observe the interference, then hog it out.
Doing a tranny swap in two weeks and planning on doing the Up Pipes and exhaust at the same time.
I originally ordered a Dorman kit and it was defective. The centering pin on the collector was installed offset. Sent it back, got another one and it too had the centering pin off set.
Tried Riff Raff, there out of stock. Tried XPD and they won't ship a kit to California.
So I need some suggestions on a good kit, and supplier that can ship in a timely manner.
Thanks,
Do you have a family member you could send it to just on the other side of the state line?
I appreciate the comment. I am not going to waste my time re-engineering Dormans product. Not worth the time or the energy. Seriously if they can't get a F'ing Pin installed in the right location why would I want to give them my money. Cheers.
Can the OP post where he finally purchased his up pipes?
RiffRaff still seems to be back ordered.
The ones I took delivery of (after having them shipped to a buddy in WA and then mailed to me here in CA) were advertised by DNA Motoring as 304 stainless but only the bellows seemed stainless as the pipes attracted a magnet (and I assume are regular steel). Is my assumption correct that the pipes aren’t 304 stainless (>18% chromium) since they attracted a magnet?
Because Amazon was the seller the manufacturer also declined assistance.
Thus, the DNA Motoring brand I bought from Amazon are going back.
I’d also be interested in feedback on regular steel vs stainless up pipes. My brief research suggests a material difference in heat conductivity - 45 watts per Kelvin per meter (carbon steel) vs 15 watts per Kelvin per meter (stainless). Perhaps the bigger issue is stainless is also less prone to corrosion.
If I’d already went through so much to get them I would probably just go ahead and install. My opinion, the bellows are most critical for being stainless. The pipe is pretty think and would likely last a long time. Especially in your mild climate.
But I’m no metallurgist so take my opinion lightly.
I think 304 will attract a magnet, not w/ the force you see from iron or mild steel though. Could be mistaken and heck the source of the 304 could play a role too. Either way I agree w/ Jason if the quality looks good and the only hang up is a magnet sticks, I'd hang'em on and move on to the next problem.
I agree with the fellas above. Check the fitment of the alignment pin to the collector on a bench and press on.
I ran Dorman up-pipes for a few years and then sold them to an FTE'r locally as they were in great condition. My climate, like yours is very mild and we don't have road cancer agents spread by the state.
Back before the aftermarket units became as available (and generally acceptable) as they are today, I purchased a set of very lightly used OEM IH take-offs from a guy on ebay and they have run perfectly with zero leaks (~7 years and ~70k miles ago). Might still be a "thing" as an extra option??
