Stacks or New exhaust

[MRaynor]

I found out about this site from a buddy of mine and am very GLAD I joined, so far I think it was one of the best things I have ever spent money on. A month ago I bought an 05 2500 quad cab CUMMINS it is new and the last 05 that was on the lot so I got a good deal.

Even though I have always been a Dodge fanatic and always wanted a diesel, I did not know that the DIESEL BUG would bite me in the butt the way that it has. Especially after seeing the videos and pics of your trucks.

Here is my question, I am going to do something with the exhaust, but even the wife says she would rather see stacks on it( yeah bug got her too :-laf ) From what I have seen on the web doing stacks isn't going to cost that much more than a quality exhaust system. Can anybody tell me good companies to go to and how long before you have to start replacing parts? And if I am wrong please correct me on cost. I already know I am going with the AFE intake but should I go stage 1 or 2. IF I get brave enough to fight the warranty crap fight am really thinking about the Bully Dog Triple downloader. I will be putting gauges in first due to advice. I am very anal about seeing what is going on anyway, just didn't know what to look for being first diesel. I know this is probably going to start a war, but all in all does this sound like a good setup? Not looking to break records, just want better mileage and more horses( even though wife and son love it when it walks a tailgaiter bone stock,it even blows a little black smoke)



Thanks in advanced for all help. There are pics of our BABY in RIGS.



Mike

 

[MMeier]

Welcome Mikey !!! first off get your signature posted so we can all see what you have ! And read, read ,read up on everything , search engine here works well most of the time. Was thinking of doing stacks also, but right now my aux. tank is more important. once again , welcome!!

 

[Diesel Nut]

I am pulled off my magnaflow system and am installing stacks. I am putting on a set from Grand Rock. They are a really a quality kit.

I think stacks will compliment the twins well!!

 

[broeser340]

Congrats and welcome. Can't say too much for the chips and downloaders as I am going to wait awhile before I decide to play. If I didnt have a shortbed with a toolbox, I'd have a stack. I would lose way too much real estate in the bed if I had to move the 'box back to accomodate it. As a result I went with the Genos muffler delete pipe. IMO, I like single stacks more than duals. No point in duals. After all, there is only one exhaust manifold on a Cummins. Kinda sets us apart from the Jokes and the Isuzu's (oops I meant Chev. GMC's). At any rate, more cold air in and less restricted air out the better. Your taking this in the right direction. And I wouldnt say that you are anal on the gages. I'm the same way. Have fun!!

 

[MRaynor]

I am pulled off my magnaflow system and am installing stacks. I am putting on a set from Grand Rock. They are a really a quality kit.

I think stacks will compliment the twins well!!

Thanks, I fixed the signature too.

 

[Big MAK]

I bought a kit once and it all came apart on me (every weld cracked) so I took a tape measure and notepad to the freightliner shop and bought all my parts on the spot and built it myself! And... nope... didn't write down the part numbers! Been kicking myself for that ever since.



A 5 inch "straight thru" shorty freightliner muffler keeps it to a very nice rumble -- although as stock the shorty had a solid baffle in the middle so I drilled a 4" hole thru it.



Write down which end is male and female so it all fits together when you buy the plumbing.



List w/o part numbers (doh!)



2 stacks

3 90 deg 5" pipe

1 5" 'Y' pipe

7 5" band clamps

2 5" C muffler clamps

1 5" shorty muffler

1 small metal rod welded to muffler and transmmission cross brace so muffler won't rattle on cross brace

3 ft of 5" flex

2 5" C clamps or dressy clamps to secure stacks to front bed rail so won't lean back



plus whatever you need for turbo downpipe to muffler -- probably:

1 downpipe

2 5" band clamps or 'C' clamps; depends on exact piping

1 pc of straight exhaust pipe ends to match inner/outer diameter of downpipe and exhaust



they go together in this order -- keeping in mind all of it has to be cut to fit:



(from turbo) downpipe, clamp, staight pipe, clamp, muffler, band clamp, (opt. inner sleeve), flex pipe, band clamp, 90 degree, band clamp, Y pipe in bed, band clamps each end to 90s, 90 degree on each end of Y (points up), 'C' clamp on bottom of 90s not far from 'Y' pipe (supports lower piping and holds Y in position when it's all tightened), tops of 90s cut to desired height so stacks sit at height wanted, band clamps, stacks -- secure stacks to front bed rail with C clamps or other clamp of correct size



Secure everything LOOSELY in the bed before you start tightening. It's a pain to get those stacks straight.



Almost 2 years this setup no problems. Very little rusting -- it's all treated pipe. Make CERTAIN you have a "Y" pipe for bed NOT a "T". A "T" will cause excess back pressure.

 

[Mark Craig]

MRaynor,



Check out the MBRP stack kits, the ONLY totally truck specific stack system that I am aware of that are built for each specific truck. Plus they are the only stack pipes that are 304 stainless so they will never rust either. They even have a tread plate cover for the in bed connection pipes so that you don't melt plastic or potentially start a bed fire! We have sold a number of them and so far the customers love them.



Mark @ DPPI

 

[Tomeygun]

I am pulled off my magnaflow system and am installing stacks. I am putting on a set from Grand Rock. They are a really a quality kit.

I think stacks will compliment the twins well!!

That is the Kit I used. Turned out really awesome and super easy to install...

 

[Jeremiah]

Let the flames begin

I hate to pour cold water on someone's plans to turn up a new engine, but I'd wait awhile before I installed that box. It's inevitable that you're gonna bring the truck back to the dealer, and unless you're prepared to pull the box off ahead of time and hope no codes are found, the dealer's gonna find it and there goes your powertrain warranty. That is, unless your dealer's friendly and tells you to go home, take it off and then bring it back. Not always possible if you break down somewhere. Just my 2 cents worth.



Oh ... almost forgot. More air in, more air out is the best advice you can get for tuning up an engine. HOWEVER ... adding stacks or a Monster exhaust, etc. , ain't gonna do a thing for you unless you up the hp significantly.



Stacks look cool but that's all they're gonna do until you get yourself a box or two stacked under the hood, bigger injectors and maybe another turbo or two, in which case you should refer back to Paragraph 1.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

MRaynor,



Check out the MBRP stack kits, the ONLY totally truck specific stack system that I am aware of that are built for each specific truck. Plus they are the only stack pipes that are 304 stainless so they will never rust either. They even have a tread plate cover for the in bed connection pipes so that you don't melt plastic or potentially start a bed fire! We have sold a number of them and so far the customers love them.



Mark @ DPPI

I couldn't find any info about them on your website.

 

[CHolman]

I like my kit from Grand Rock, check out R/R's...

 

[MRaynor]

That was my thoughts on the box also. I am going to hold off on that for a while. I have ordered a set of pillar mount gauges( for egr, and boost) ordered an AFE filter from Diesel Nut, a MPC eliminator pipe and a muffler eliminator kit, which I found out is on back order from geno's so I guess I will have to look somewhere else for one of those, or a flow through muffler. Thanks for all the help and advice it is greatly appreciated.



Mike

I hate to pour cold water on someone's plans to turn up a new engine, but I'd wait awhile before I installed that box. It's inevitable that you're gonna bring the truck back to the dealer, and unless you're prepared to pull the box off ahead of time and hope no codes are found, the dealer's gonna find it and there goes your powertrain warranty. That is, unless your dealer's friendly and tells you to go home, take it off and then bring it back. Not always possible if you break down somewhere. Just my 2 cents worth.



Oh ... almost forgot. More air in, more air out is the best advice you can get for tuning up an engine. HOWEVER ... adding stacks or a Monster exhaust, etc. , ain't gonna do a thing for you unless you up the hp significantly.



Stacks look cool but that's all they're gonna do until you get yourself a box or two stacked under the hood, bigger injectors and maybe another turbo or two, in which case you should refer back to Paragraph 1.

 

[JHardwick]

Another suggestion ... ... ... ... . stacks look awesome, but would drive me insane on a long haul. I'm straight piped, don't get me wrong, but I rode with a local dude who had stacks and I couldn't handle the in-cab sound level.

 

[CBrabec]

If you use the bed of your truck for hauling any materials, I wouldn't do it. Unless you inclose it, everything will stick to it and melt or burn on the "y" pipe. That's one reason I took mine off, needed the bed space for my job. If you do get them, you'll love em.