Not-So-Tight Donuts

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Oct 17, 2008 | 10:03 AM

brian42

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From: San Diego, CA

Not-So-Tight Donuts

So I'm getting some good dusting on my up-pipes around the donuts that go into the spider on top of the engine. The boots haven't blown off but I can tell that they could be tighter (obviously). The truck isn't noticeably down on power so they can't be leaking too bad (the pipes and boots look in good condition). Are there any good tips to making a good seal? What is the torque spec for the clamps? Am I SOL and going to have to buy new clamps/donuts? The bellowed up-pipes would be ideal but they are definitely not in the budget and would not come close to getting the boss' approval.

Oct 17, 2008 | 10:10 AM

rbaker6336

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From: Blairsville,Ga

you'll got different opinions but SB Chev donuts have sealed up-pipes
I have never done it so can't say yea or nay

Oct 17, 2008 | 10:14 AM

indyF-350psd

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i think your talking about 2 things at the same time and mixing it up a little. the up pipes clamp on to the back of the turbo. the intake spider might be what your talking about as it is attached to the front of the turbo and has the 2 boots on it that go to the intake plenums that sit on the top of the motor. if your talking about the boots that go on the black intake plenums then a great fix for that is to get the dieselsite.com intercooler boot kit. i think its a hundred bucks. you will notice more turbo spool and higher rpm's. plus they dont break down like the stock silicone hoses. now if you are talking about up pipes that bolt to the back of the turbo and to the headers boy are you in for it. for that youll have to pull the turbo and then unbolt the up pipes from the headers from the underneath. i am going through the up pipe replacement right now. i think the set from DI is the best since they totally eliminate the whole donut gasket thing....

Oct 17, 2008 | 10:28 AM

brian42

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From: San Diego, CA

Yes, I'm just talking about the boots in front of the turbo going into the spider (top of the engine). For some reason I thought that the CAC tubes and up-pipes were the same thing. I learn something new every day!

the dieselsite kit are the blue boots right?

Thanks for the info and quick reply.

Oct 17, 2008 | 11:06 AM

F350-6

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From: Texas

The oily residue coming out of those boots is normal if your CCV is still plumbed into the intake tube. Torque specs are 71 in-lbs if you want to just tighten them back up while you budget for the new boots. I don't know what color they are, but he has them clearly labeled on his website for the 99.5 - 03 7.3. Looks like $108 for the top side boots, and $145 for the intercooler boots.