Fix up pipe donuts or new turbo?

JoeDaddy · Sep 27, 2011

My 2000 is leaking and it has to be done. The guy I bought it from is responsible for the fix but I'm sure he's thinking of just over tightening the living 5hit out of the clamps :doh:

So here's my thing, I may go with a better turbo in the future anyway so what's the best bang for the buck, can't spend much.

Is there a mount and turbo for under a grand?

What about bellowed pipes if I go with a 38r?

TyCorr · Sep 27, 2011

No mount and turbo for under two grand.

s366(my first choice for a single charger with stgII or smaller sticks) and mount is a shade over two grand from Jake @ Irate.

A 38r is 1300 shipped on a great day. 14-1500 on a good day. You'd be further ahead to get a pedestal without the ebpv in there, if for no other reason than you can easily reach all four bolts to the block without it in the way.

Moving on to your original question, I would fix the leaks before I did ANYTHING else. Bellowed pipes are gonna be $600 by the time you get em a ride to your house. I used exhaust donuts from the parts store for $3. Been holding for two years. Knock wood!

JoeDaddy · Sep 27, 2011

Just thinking I hate to do anything twice and from what I've read some go as far as taking the tranny out to get to them. The top side is the leak so is it possible to replace just these w/o breaking the seal on the lowers?

DEEZUZ · Sep 27, 2011

Just got my one piece up-pipe from DI... Tossing it in tomorrow...

TyCorr · Sep 27, 2011

JoeDaddy said:
Just thinking I hate to do anything twice and from what I've read some go as far as taking the tranny out to get to them. The top side is the leak so is it possible to replace just these w/o breaking the seal on the lowers?

They're leaking at the collector? Well then, unbolt the turbo and pull it out of the way and heat soak those bolts. Soak with penetrant and reheat. Take it apart and go get what you need to use as a gasket/donut and get some new bolts. Put it back together.

You can work on the uppipes by removing the wheelwell liners to get at the lower connections. Not a big deal. Its no worse than getting rusty, stock turbo components freed up and out.

TyCorr · Sep 27, 2011

CTC DEEZUL said:
Just got my one piece up-pipe from DI... Tossing it in tomorrow...

That sounds like well conceived part.

jngreen · Sep 27, 2011

JoeDaddy said:
Just thinking I hate to do anything twice and from what I've read some go as far as taking the tranny out to get to them. The top side is the leak so is it possible to replace just these w/o breaking the seal on the lowers?

You don't need to take the transmission out to replace the donuts. You should be able to reach the bolts from the bottom with the right combination of extensions, but I managed to do it from the top. A topside creeper would make it a lot nicer to do, but I'm cheap and like to do things the hard way.

I would call Jake at Irate and see what he can do for you for a budget setup. There are cheap turbos out there, and mounts can be had for roughly 500 bucks, so I don't see why you couldn't get a mount and turbo for close to the price of a 38r.

Or, see if Jake will make you a set of bellowed uppipes for a stock setup (or 38r).

cw96stroker · Sep 27, 2011

TyCorr said:
That sounds like well conceived part.

It is

I got mine about 4 or 5 months ago, and got them ceramic coated too, they are awesome!!

Arisley · Sep 27, 2011

What Ty said Joe. I have been running Chevy small block donuts on my truck for a couple of years now also. I did replace them when I put my H2E in, just because. The tranny does not have to come out, but if it does, I will replace them again. Just because it would be so easy to do while it is out.

Use extensions, lots of them, from 1 inch long to 18 inches long. Wobble sockets are a huge plus. I like to put a wrap or two of electrical tape around the wobble sockets just to stiffen them up a tad. I also put a little dab of grease inside the socket to hold the bolt in place also.

JoeDaddy · Sep 27, 2011

Just regular sbc 2" graphite donuts or are the composite copper better?

Also, what about the lowers? Will they be ok when I pull the mount? What I mean is will I need to crank on the uppies to get lose from the mount or does it just pop off?

RedSmokey · Sep 27, 2011

jngreen said:
I would call Jake at Irate and see what he can do for you for a budget setup. There are cheap turbos out there, and mounts can be had for roughly 500 bucks, so I don't see why you couldn't get a mount and turbo for close to the price of a 38r.

Joe, I am all for saving money, and if I were in your position I would do the chevy donuts... BUT if you are looking to upgrade and the above is true about a mount. If you got this turbo your cheaper than a 38r http://powerstrokearmy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6576

Arisley · Sep 28, 2011

The cheapos. The copper ones are a touch too big.

davey99ps · Sep 28, 2011

Jake just quoted me like $1640 I believe for a mount an s366. Personally I'd just do the new donuts an call it good, an get back to enjoying that new truck of yours

DEEZUZ · Sep 28, 2011

Just got home from work. Installed the I up ipe... 3 hours total, majority was being anal and cleaning CAC pipes and removing old exhaust bolts... I cant believe this ****ing pipe slipped right in... I have NEVER had good luck with aftermarker parts... this is a A+ for DI!!!