I have two questions I need your expertise on related to my exhaust:

First, during my CPS debacle, the shop I used came up with a P0476 "exhaust pressure control valve performance problems indicated." They told me it was related to the exhaust gas backpressure valve and that it "might have a build up of carbon." Wanted at least another $300 to just diagnose the problem, with no guarantee on the final repair cost (after a $900 CPS replacement it could have been $2K ). I've checked several of the threads in here and, from what I can gather, the valve's only function is to help the truck warm up in cold weather. I live in Fairbanks, AK where we regularly hit -40F in winter, so warming up the engine quickly is good. I have the Aux. Idle Control for that reason, too. My question is: is the valve replaceable (should it be replaced)? I noticed from some signatures that a common mod is "gutting" the EBPV. Being a newbie, I don't know what that means or what the advantages are... Do I need the valve? Should I just remove it and be done with it (I noticed one user hooked his to a switch to control it....)? Kinda confused here.....

Second, what is the consensus on the best brand of aftermarket exhaust? I know I am losing HP and MPG with the stock. I've gathered that the best diameter is 4". However, there are many, many possibilities out there and I'm looking for "bang for the buck." I've got limited $, but I do know I need a SS pipe and muffler up here. I kind of like the simple setup of the Silverline or Aeroturbine setups found on Diesel Performance Products' site. I don't usually heavily load the truck or tow, so really high EGT's shouldn't be a problem unless I have some constriction in the exhaust, right? They both seem to start right from the downpipe and replace all of the stock pipe, which would be good, correct?

Sorry for the book, but I wanted to put the most info into the initial post. I know the wealth of knowledge here will help point me in the right direction, it has before . So hit me with everything ya got--the more info/help the better!!

Thanks,
Kevin

 

The EBPV valve(butterfly valve plate) works in conjunction with the EBPV sensor
which is located at the end of a brass tube on your right exhaust manifold. This is how the PCM controls opening and closing of the valve. By sensing pressure build up in the manifold the PCM can determine how far open and closed the valve is(of course when it's needed in cold weather operation). IF the tube gets clogged with enough soot it malfunctions as it isn't sensing actual manifold pressure. By pulling off the sensor and opening the tube end you are able to use air pressure to blow out the accumulated soot. I actually haven't done this procedure yet but i hear it's pretty simple. May be good periodic maintenance. Living in the cold climate i would leave the EBPV system intact in your vehicle. It helps warm up your stroke quicker. People who live in warmer climates gut the EBPV for performance advantages since it offers some exhaust flow restriction. Gutting is mainly removing and replacing the valve assembly with a free flowing aftermarket one. You'll gain some lower egt"s.
Some folks use the EBPV as an exhaust brake and that's why they have a manual control. Very effective braking for those long descents with a heavy load. Some aftermarket exhaust brakes run up to $1000+...ouch!

MBRP exhaust seems to be the majority vote here at FTE. I like mine,except for the drone which is common with aftermarket exhaust, and feel it was an excellent value. I substituted an Aeroturbine 4040L resonator/muffler and exhaust air guide ,mounted up close to my downpipe,to help reduce the cab drone. Very happy overall. Try getting a system without the muffler first and then add mufflers,stacks...etc You can get a nice stack setup cheap on E-bay but i preffer to buy from our sponsors.
Nut

 

Thanks, Nut, for clearing up some pretty confusing questions I had--especially with the lack of integrity I feel I have from the previous shop. But it basically sounds like they were right--just probably some soot accumulation. Would that cause the code they got?

You like the Aeroturbine muffler, then? My wife is looking for sound reduction in the cab even though I don't mind it and like the sound of the power I've got under the hood, even stock.... Is the drone a side effect of just the MBRP or do the other systems also have this effect? Who would be the best sponsor to check with for MBRP? I don't think I've seen that brand yet (that I remember)....

Thanks again, Nut, for your input.... Anyone else with feelings one way or the other on exhaust systems? Any opinions/stories of experience would help tremendously--I would prefer to only do this once for $$ reasons .
Kevin

 

Alaska, here is my armchair opinion only of exhaust. It gets dirty, oily and sometimes beat up. I went with aluminized mandrel bent steel exhaust for $306.00 delivered to my door from fleabay. Even has egt opening. Installed with the wicked wheel that same day.

 

[QUOTE=AlaskaF350PS] Would that cause the code they got? Yes.

You like the Aeroturbine muffler, then? Yes but it's pricey. About $225

Is the drone a side effect of just the MBRP or do the other systems also have this effect? MBRP is one of the better for lower drone. Drone is most noticeable when towing heavy.

Who would be the best sponsor to check with for MBRP?
Talk to Garrett Shields at this site: LINK He can set u up with a nice system and will price match. I recommend a 5" system for crazy turbine whistle levels and relative quiet in the cab. I here the drone isn't as bad on the 5" systems(basically a 4" downpipe turning into a 5" system to tailpipe.

Nut

 

I had Fairbanks Muffler on Cushman install the MBRP that I had shipped up there while I was there this summer and I really like it with no muffler at all. Even my girl here in Charlotte likes it. But if you order it, make sure you tell them you want the cheapest shipping available. I said nothing, got it in 4 days from Tennessee and was impressed with the speed of the shipping until I looked at the invoice and saw it cost me $188.00. So unless you're in a big hurry make it clear that you don't want to have happen to you what happened to me.

 

a while ago i bought the MBRP 4" system from Garrett @ Puredieselpower (was BlackCloudDiesel when i bought this). it was about $450 for an aluminized system and a 5" tip. if i were to upgrade my exhaust from stock on another truck, i would have gone the Mark Romriell 5" system with 6" tip for about $350 shipped.

i have the ultimate exhaust setup now, and im NEVER changing

 

strokin,

where can I get the mark romriell 5" system w/ 6" tip for $350 shipped?

 

I second the 5" system. I love it and people are constantly making comments about the sewer pipe I have coming from under the truck. And best of all no drone. The 4" systerm from what I hear all have the drone. I have the exact same system that Mark sells. However, if where to get another I would go with MBRP. There is a difference in the mufflers between the two. The one that mark sells has a chamber in the middle of the muffler to reduce the drone. MBRP does not and it is completly straight through. I like my system, but I just not getting the sound out of it that I would like. I will eventually go with muffler delete pipe. Does anyone know where you can pick up a muffer delete for a 5". Also you can reverse the muffler do get better flow and sound out of the system. Good luck.

 

jrciii56, go to your local big rig shop, tell them you want a scrap piece of 5" steel aluminized pipe XX inches long. my 4" muffler delete was about $35.

 

Thanks, guys, for all the information. I've learned so much here, both from researching existing threads and asking my own questions. Best of all, there's no stigma for being a ! I've learned more about my PowerStroke in the last couple of months on this site than the previous five years of owning my truck, even though I spec'd it and ordered myself.

Thanks again, and any other opinions would still be welcome (the more experts I have behind my purchase decision the easier it is to sell to the wife ).

Kevin

 

I have the Silverline 4" stainless system on my truck. I bought it from a local shop who deals direct with them and got it for a ridiculously low price. I don't know if it's worth the money for a stainless system (for the price I've seen on the internet anyway) but it looks great that's for sure. The sound isn't too bad in the cab, as a matter of fact it was pretty quiet until I started upgrading intakes/chips/turbo's, etc. now when I tow it sounds like a damn airplane inside my truck.