Obsession v Irate t4

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May 30, 2024 | 11:31 PM

glovemeister

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 3,244

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Obsession v Irate t4

Which one is the best to go with?

May 31, 2024 | 12:22 AM

Rick37

Mountain Pass

Joined: Aug 2019

Posts: 177

Likes: 56

From: Abrams, Wisconsin

I installed the Irate kit, and have a write up on it. Long T4 and many other mods thread - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums (ford-trucks.com) I watched Sous's video while installing my kit. He did a much better job documenting than I did.
The only complaint I have is that the oil drain for the turbo could have been a little longer due to the o-ring engagement not being completely seated. The Up-pipes were close to the back of the head on one side so I ended up prying them out a bit with the bolts snug and then I gained about 1/8th of an inch. The instructions could have been better but nothing a DIY can't figure out. Other than those things I am very happy with the kit.

I know Sous installed the CSD kit and he likes it.

Can't speak for the Obsession.

Last edited by Rick37; May 31, 2024 at 12:24 AM. Reason: Added a link

May 31, 2024 | 07:49 AM

Sous

FTE Leadership Emeritus

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 27,352

Likes: 5,946

From: Lake Hartwell, GA

I had zero issues with my CSD kit, but that was several years ago at this point. A couple of CSD owners before me had trouble with the alignment of the down pipe behind the head, but they must have fixed that before I received my kit. I didn't select Irate because I didn't like having the oil drain in the valley. That was my personal preference though and as I understand it, the drain works quite well. I didn't go with Obsession because of the price and the seemingly difficult time of talking the the owner, at the time several years ago. If I recall correctly, he was only conversating on FaceBook, but I could be wrong as I have slept since then.

Here is a link to my T4/SXE install video:

May 31, 2024 | 08:08 AM

akcooper9

Laughing Gas

Joined: Oct 2016

Posts: 1,074

Likes: 91

From: DFW, Texas

Lots of options really. I've installed 4 CSD kits. The only one I had issues with was the first one and the down pipe. Carson had a bad run of down pipes but was quick to make it right. The other 3 went in with zero issues. IMHO the CSD kit is hard to beat!

May 31, 2024 | 09:23 AM

callforfire

More Turbo

Joined: Sep 2015

Posts: 640

Likes: 282

From: Texas

I went with the irate kit. the only issue I had was the ss tubing Y pipe. that short of a bend in such a tight space there was no straight surface to clamp to. I was always blowing the boots in the valley.
I swapped it out with the cast Y from CSD and haven't had a problem. Also, in hindsight, how the obsession mount and up pipes work looks like a better way to do things, more maintenance-friendly with the separate uppies..

May 31, 2024 | 07:33 PM

Dmco

Tuned

Joined: Nov 2020

Posts: 403

Likes: 171

From: Greenville, SC

The Obsession T4 kit by Dan Howard is a work of art! I have one on my OBS and recommend it. Only thing I don’t care for is the oil drain, which uses a high-temp hose. I know he was working on a metal drain line solution.

Jun 1, 2024 | 01:32 PM

PriusLover

Laughing Gas

Joined: Mar 2021

Posts: 1,118

Likes: 425

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmco

Hose is more resistant to fatigue cracking than a metal drain, a matter of pick your poison.The obsession kit easily looks like the best from a design perspective. Problem is it's quite costly... cast stainless and all. The Irate kit is fine but it has some rather disagreeable design choices IMO.

Regardless of the kit, I'd retain the stock Y casting (cut it into a Y) and intercooler pipes. Saves cost and they fit like stock.