Did some searching older threads to include about a year back and didn't find what I was looking for.

Background-truck is a late (Nov 1997) build. 118k miles ZFS5, 4.10 gears. Seems to run pretty good. Have gauges and a Hydra. Hydra has their tunes on it.

Pulled a 9k 5er about 1400 miles over the past week. Truck would do 70 no problem, EGTS were were warm, but would barely get over 1200 when topping a hill. Boost seems low at 12-13 at 3500. Can see 10 regularily below 3k. Stock everything except Diesel Site boots, 4" downpipe.

On return home I could hear exhaust leak, which I figure is coming from the Dorman stock replacement up pipe dealer put on last year when I was new to truck (wish I would have done work myself then).

So,, looking to fix exhaust leak. Bellowed up pipes from Riff Raff seem good. Thoughts?

Now on to turbo question. Would a different turbo help lower EGTs in stock configuration? What are some recommendations? Older threads I find seem to indicate a D66 is good, but recent threads seem to like the KC turbos. Thoughts? Dont want to do a GT38r, as it seems like a low value with today's options. Is that correct?

My eventual goal for truck is high 300s at CRANK. I could even be happy running the 85hp tow tune from Hydra. Eventually going to get different injectors, but keeping with something that can be serviced by stock fuel (probably upgraded HPOP).

So.. with the above in mind, what are some good turbo choices? Will a different turbo lower my EGTs now? Will it give any boost in power with stock set up?

Finally, what is the best choice housing for a ZFS5? 0.84 or 1.0, and why?

Thanks!
Chris

 

Morning Chris,
Yes to replace your up-pipes I would strongly suggest the Riffraff Diesel bellowed up-pipes due to their quality and the 321 Stainless Steel they use. This will fix it permanently for you so you don't have to come back to it again one day.
Riffraff Diesel Bellowed Up-pipe Kit 1994-1997

A turbo upgrade can help you in many ways, but I think your EGTs will go down and your boost will go up just from fixing the up-pipe leak. I would suggest a KC Turbo as the price and value are there.
Riffraff Diesel Hybrid Turbo
KC300x Stage 1 Turbo (63/70) OBS 94-98
I would suggest the .84 AR for your ZF so that it will spool up quick if you go with the Stage 1, if you do the Hybrid then the 1.0 AR.

Something else I have been using lately is putting the screen gasket for the HPOP in for the older truck with the Riffraff Spacer. This allows for the oil to be filter to the HPOP and causes the IPR to have less issues.
Riffraff Diesel HPOP Mini Spacer w/ Screen

 

Excellent, thank you!

Ordering the up pipes today. On my 1967 F-250 project, I had the L&L headers sent to Jet Hot to Ceramic coat. Worth doing on the up pipes? Riff Raff shows out of stock on the precoated pipes.

Chris

 

The coating is great but honestly not worth waiting for, I would just fix the leak to save your power and economy.

 

My vote is to fix the plumbing leaks first which includes doing a check of the intake side (if not already done).

Once the pressurized pieces are tight, then drive it for a little while and then see if a different turbo is necessary.

Toward coating the exhaust pipes, it depends. If aluminized, I'd definitely do it just for the extra protection on the exterior side. Stainless should not really need any coating. But with that, I coated my SS uppipes as I want to start working on holding heat in the pipes and not letting it radiate out to the bay. Next step for the up and downpipes is to wrap them.

Regarding the out of stock on RiffRaff's coated pipes, recommend calling.

 

Ordered Riff Raff pipes, non coated. Did an oil change last night and noted soot on the block near junction of drivers side up pipe and manifold, Also oil filter was a tan color (before becoming covered in oil).

Up pipes were off about a year ago and 5k miles, so should be too bad.

 

Mine are coated as is the turbine housing and downpipe. Did for similar reasons listed, retains heat better to not heat soak.

Check those exhaust manifolds while in there, they can and will leak with age.

 

i am l;literally a bout to do this same thing, called RiffRaff yesterday and they told me they expect them in towards the end of August. I thought about going with a cheaper, in-stock up-pipes from another vendor but after reading into it i think i will wait

 

diesel orings has a set of Clay's up pipes in stock.
https://www.dieselorings.com/9-029-b...94-5-1997.html

 

I thought about sending them to Jet Hot. May still do it. BUT...the description of the materials (stainless) leads me to think coating is not necessary for material preservation, like it is with the 460 headers made of steel.

However, good points about heat retention being better with coating. The uncoated pipes will be here this week and I will contact Jet Hot in the mean time...

 

No name from Ebay, 97 bucks, nice, thick material, will be putting them on by the weekend.

 

Support American materials and workforce. I don't care how cheap it is, why send money overseas...

Just get the ones from Riffraff Diesel and wrap them if you want.

Riffraff Diesel Bellowed Up-pipes
DEI Titanium™ Exhaust Wrap

 

How about you do you, and I do me?

I'm all set on paying a middle man 3x as much, to send money overseas, when I can just skip that step...

Where do you think Riffraff is "getting them in" from?

 

Ooooo! Wrapping, great idea!

 

Ooh Ooh, I can answer that!
Which raw material would you like to know? Our certified 321 Stainless tubing comes direct from RathGibson in Wisconsin, our 321 Stainless plate for flanges comes from Portland, Oregon, the 321 Stainless custom made bellows from California. All raw material is from American mills, then we mandrel bend, TIG weld, and assemble in-house. Then we use 100% made in USA custom printed boxes to package, and shrink wrap again, right here in-house. We are the only manufacturer of 321 Bellowed up-pipes, and the only ones that I am aware of that are made in the USA. All of this allows us to make a superior product that supports multiple industries.