BD or PDI exhaust manifold for '07, 5.9?

[Motorhead]

I just received today the AFE stainless exhaust manifold I was going to put on my truck. When I looked at it, I couldn't believe that the turbo flange nor the ports that bolt up to the head were NOT milled to surface them flat! I called AFE and they said they DON'T mill them to surface and that he could "Look at a few of them and find me one that looked better" I said "NO thanks" and contacted the outfit I bought it from to issue me a UPS call tag to return it for credit.

SO..... I am now looking at a BD and PDI manifold. Anybody used them and are they milled flat where the gaskets meet up? ANY OTHER recommendations?
Looked at the Steed Speed but they are a bit pricey.

 

[Bob4x4]

I have had no problem with the many AFE manifolds I have installed. That being said I like the bd over the pdi. The Ats is better than either of those .unless you feel you have to have ss. I have had both ats and AFE on my trucks. Performance wise I could not tell any difference. I prefer to port match all brands before installing unless the client is on a tight budget or has no time

 

[seafish]

I have never liked AFE parts for that very reason...the quality of the finish castings.

No direct experience with BD manifld, but I also never much liked BD components due to their fit and finish.

The PDI manifold that is sitting in my garage that came with a turbo that I bought is very nicely milled on all its gasket surface, and even the inside runners are only slightly rough. It is a NICE part. Also nice that PDI has been making exhaust manifolds for a long time for other markets, like big rigs.

Too bad you can't use the PDI manifold with the T4i/vgt turbo flange on it, as I could make you a fair deal on it.

Anyways, PDI or Steed Speed for me.

 

[Motorhead]

Thanks Bob, Your input is always appreciated by me and I am sure many others. I'll look at the ATS. Chris

seafish, your comment must have slipped in just after I saw only Bobs. The ports on the AFE were unbelieveably un-equal. Real junk for what they are gwtting money wise for their parts.

 

[AH64ID]

I have an ATS 2-Piece manifold on my truck and it seems to work well.

If its in your budget I think the Steed Speed is hard to beat.

 

[Simplysmn]

Just picked up a PDI Manifold and so far I Like how it look's haven't had a chance to install but that will be here shortly .

 

[seafish]

Just picked up a PDI Manifold and so far I Like how it look's haven't had a chance to install but that will be here shortly .

for which truck??

 

[Motorhead]

Just picked up a PDI Manifold and so far I Like how it look's haven't had a chance to install but that will be here shortly .

I bought the PDI also and it is real nice! Milled finish on the turbo mount plate and on all exhaust port mountings. Clean casting on the passage ways.
Bought from these folks: http://www.mightydiesel.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=1651 and had it the next day free shipping and cheaper than any others.

 

[seafish]

NO comparison to the AFE, eh??

 

[Motorhead]

NO comparison to the AFE, eh??

Absolutely NO comparison! I actually SPOKE to a guy at AFE and questioned "WHY don't you mill finish your manifolds?" "we just don't" he said. He also said "Maybe I can look through several of the manifolds and find you one that looks nicer" I said, "No Thanks, send me a call tag to return the manifold" Seems like p!ss poor way to manufacture a part and not finish it properly.

 

[Simplysmn]

Sorry this is going on my first gen Crewcab .Should of Said that in first Post.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I have had no issues with any of the BD manifolds I have used. Nicely surfaced, good finish. The ports are sized correctly to keep the gasses "tight" until the turbo.

 

[Motorhead]

The Stainless AFE ex manifold is PACKED up and heading back to AFE. The return authorization said "Part no longer needed". I wrote on the RA that "The part was NOT surface finished properly and that I would NOT install it on my truck". Maybe someone will take note......Yeah Sure!

 

[rscurtis]

I would agree with Joe. Manifold's been on my truck for 5 years, no problems at all. I can't imagine a part like this without the flanges for the bolts or studs machined flat. That's a failure of expected quality in my book.

 

[Motorhead]

Just got notice via email from UPS that my TURBO is going to be delivered tomorrow (Tues 11-11) I am thinking of assembling the turbo onto the manifold first , then install the whole assembly.

 

[rscurtis]

When I did mine, I installed two removable studs at the back and front of the engine so I could hang the manifold on them. I assembled the turbo to the rear half of the manifold, hung it on the rear stud, assembled the front half, and hung that on the front stud.

 

[BLNRAY]

I just received today the AFE stainless exhaust manifold I was going to put on my truck. When I looked at it, I couldn't believe that the turbo flange nor the ports that bolt up to the head were NOT milled to surface them flat! I called AFE and they said they DON'T mill them to surface and that he could "Look at a few of them and find me one that looked better" I said "NO thanks" and contacted the outfit I bought it from to issue me a UPS call tag to return it for credit.

SO..... I am now looking at a BD and PDI manifold. Anybody used them and are they milled flat where the gaskets meet up? ANY OTHER recommendations?
Looked at the Steed Speed but they are a bit pricey.

had to pull my cast iron afe out and look,both the turbo and the engine mount surfaces are machine finished and ready for install.why would they sell a part that needs more machine work to install.