Head Gaskets Question
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Junior User
Joined: May 2006
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From: Orlando, FL.
Head Gaskets Question
I have been told that the 6.0 is not a truck that mods well because it doesn't like too much power. At what point is it necessary to start worrying about my head gaskets? I'm on the verge of ordering an SCT, exhaust and gauges... Is that enough power to be concerned, or do they start failing when people try to build a 10 sec truck? Also, how bad are the gauges to install? I'm fairly handy, but drilling and tapping different parts somewhat scares me.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Littleton, CO
What year? The 05-06 HG's are a much better design than the previous 03-04's, but you still want to stay below 30 pounds of boost, and pay special attention to your EGT's, that by itself can kill an engine. When you buy the exhaust, I strongly recommend a 4" turbo back. My friend has a cat-back system, and my EGT's are about 400 degrees lower than his on this particular road. I have the same mods that you are looking at, and haven't had any issues on my '06. The guages take some time to install, you can get it done in a little over a day. The thing that takes the most time is finding your power sources that the guages require. The drilling and tapping can be a little intimidating, but if you know how to use taps and dies, you should be alright.
It seems like everyone has a different way to tap the exhaust manifold, but I just started at a smaller bit (1/8") and drilled it until I was about through the manifold and coated the tip of the bit with wheel bearing grease, and did the same with the other bit (.339). When I started it I just let it idle for about 15 minutes to be sure that any small peices would not damage the turbine.
It seems like everyone has a different way to tap the exhaust manifold, but I just started at a smaller bit (1/8") and drilled it until I was about through the manifold and coated the tip of the bit with wheel bearing grease, and did the same with the other bit (.339). When I started it I just let it idle for about 15 minutes to be sure that any small peices would not damage the turbine.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Littleton, CO
There are a lot of different opinions about max EGT, I run 1400-1500 degrees for very short (1/4 mile) periods. I also have an SCT so that may be different from the BD. Get rid of that restrictive stock exhaust!!!
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Littleton, CO
I think that you need to do the whole system, turbo back. The stock set up is 3.5 inches in diameter fromt eh turbo back. My friend has a cat-back system and my EGT's are waaaay lower than his, and he is straight piped after the cat.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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Interesting. How much did you turbo back system cost? And how much did it lower your temps? As it is now I am hard pressed to reach 1400, so I am not strongly motivated yet to get exhaust...
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
Originally Posted by red92caddy
I have a 2006 6.0 with the Bullydog Chip and intake, but stock exhaust so far. What type of EGT's should I expect, and what is the safe operating range?
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Littleton, CO
I think that EGT depends a lot on your altitude, for some reason. My exhaust cost me $860, but I don't recommend paying that much (I'm still pissed that I paid that much). There are a lot of quality systems out there for far cheaper; MBRP seems to be a quality system and there are a lot of people running that. If your not having any problems with EGT, then you could wait until you have the cash. Either way I suggest getting a new system, just to help things flow better, and a little sound from your exhaust.
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From: Orlando, FL.
I have an '04 f250, build date on the truck was 05/04, and I think the motor was built in feb or april, I'd have to look again. As far as EGT's go, I have heard that 1250 degrees is the typical defuel setting. Is that with the sensor in the manifold or in the downpipe, and which do you guys recommend?
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From: Littleton, CO
In the manifold for sure. A lot of people use that number as a defuel setting, if I were to do that, I wouldn't be able to use the power from my tuner. Like I said before, I think that altitude has a lot to do with it for whatever reason, you being in Florida, you may not even touch the numbers, I get up here in the mile high city. Maybe its because of a lack of oxygen in the air. The later '04's had had some work done on the HG's, but I don't know when they started making that change.
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I thought I had heard that the head gasket update was not done on the 6.0s until mid 2006, does anyone know the facts on this. My truck was sold as an 06, but I bought it in Sept of 2005, so it is definately and early 2006. I heard a rumor that the heads on the 6.0 were inferior in comparison to the 7.3, and therefore would fail if pumped up with a chip and high EGTs. Anyone know the truth?
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From: Littleton, CO
Originally Posted by red92caddy
I have always heard that a preturbo sensor is better, that is what mine is. Two of you are saying nothing higher than 1250 is safe, but then one says he pushes it to 1400 or 1500. Any comments on that?
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
You can push up to 1400, but you are wearing down the engine quite a bit more then just trying to stay below 1250. Most people will also tell you to stay below 30 psi of boost, now I have hit 32, but if I were to hit 32 on a regular basis then my engine would be a lot worse off then if I had hit 29 or even 30 on a regular basis. Even a couple of tuner companies say to try to stay below 1250 to be safe, if you hit higher then that make sure it's not dragged out. Preturbo is better as far as an accurate heat reading, which is what you want.