to straight pipe or not to straight pipe that is the question

[mazdarotary]

Well guys at the last minute at the shop where I was having the exhaust done I chickened out and had him use the stock 01 muffler. The truck is alot less noisy now,but the EGT's seem higher and the truck seems a bit more sluggish. I was worried about the noise of the straight pipe bringing undo attention to me from johnny law. I really don't like the new exhaust so I spoke with a friend of mine over the weekend who told me he has access to 4" exhaust pipe,all sorts of bends,and a welder. So I will be going that route really soon. I wish I had know this before I spent a hundred buck on this exhaust.



On a side note I bought a new Modine radiator fro my truck because the one in the truck currently looks pretty beat. Is it an easy job to replace the radiator?Any special tools?What is the best way to remove the fan?I assume it is a left hand thread.



Chris

92 D250 CC

74 mazda rotary truck

83 mazda RX-7 Limited edition

 

[JLEONARD]

Chris,

Have you killed your KDP? When the fan is off and the radiator out, that would be a good time to kill using the drill jig method. . if you have not already done that.

Yes the fan nut is LH and you need a 1 7/16 wrench or a "fan nut wrench" for a chrysler, and a strap wrench to hold the pulley.

Heck, me and bflood figured it out last year, didn't we Bruce? If we weren't dislexic we could have gotten the belt back on within 4 attempts too. Talk about a monkey tryin' to do a football!!!:-laf :-laf



I haven't replaced a Dodge diesel radiator, but have done others and it's pretty straight forward.

Most difficult part will be getting the air of the cooling system upon refill.

If your water pump is original it might be a good idea to consider replacing it while the coolant is drained out... you know... a pound or two of prevention = an ounce of cure heck, might as well turn this into a major rebuild... .

 

[mazdarotary]

Thanks JLeonard I have not killed the KDP and I don't believe the PO did either. I have no idea how to do this job. Is it easy?Where do I get the jig?Any members around where i live in southeastern mass willing to help me out?What is the best water pump to use?Is there any special coolant to use?



Chris

92 D250 CC

74 mazda REPU

83 mazda RX-7

 

[sparks57]

Luckily, in Id where I live, a turbo is considered a muffler so I'm good to go.



The best exhaust IMO is a split 4" turbo-back. That means a 4" downpipe too. My 3" system's life is short... I plan on replacing it with 4" with a 4" downpipe and stacks or just split in front of both back tires like I have it now...



Decisions, decisions...

 

[bflood]

Originally posted by JLEONARD

Chris,

. . . . . .

Heck, me and bflood figured it out last year, didn't we Bruce? If we weren't dislexic we could have gotten the belt back on within 4 attempts too. Talk about a monkey tryin' to do a football!!!:-laf :-laf

. . . .

Yea, it musta been the age thing and dried up brain cells , but we did it Fun day



Bruce

 

[dpuckett]

mazdarotary-

At idle and light throttle, there is little difference in straight pipe or muffled, provided it goes all the way back. If you go from a full stock exhaust to a shorty 4", you'll gain a few decibels. For your radiator, it's pretty straightforward- drain, undo the bolts, take the fan off (if you dont have the wrench, you can take off the whole hub assembly from the front of the block; 10mm wrench). How to bolt up the new one depends on how it is set up. I know mine fits, and is a little bigger than Mom's in her 92.



bflood-

If you tow, I'd suggest getting a 4" system ASAP, or at least a 3-3. 5" mandrel bent part over the axle. I dropped 50deg empty cruise EGT, doesnt come up quite as fast as before, either. It's about like going from a 21 to a 18cm housing on the turbo- nothing earth shattering, but a good difference nonetheless.



CB- what was that ticket you got a while back about incomplete/ missing exhaust components, if a turbo is a muffler? Or was Smokey just out of the academy, trying to earn/ brown-nose brownie points? :-laf



-DP

 

[bflood]

Where did all the money go?

Originally posted by dpuckett

mazdarotary-

. . . . .

bflood-

If you tow, I'd suggest getting a 4" system ASAP, or at least a 3-3. 5" mandrel bent part over the axle. I dropped 50deg empty cruise EGT, doesnt come up quite as fast as before, either. It's about like going from a 21 to a 18cm housing on the turbo- nothing earth shattering, but a good difference nonetheless.

-DP

But but but but . . . . . I was try'n to save up for water injection (to lower my EGT's when towing. :{



decisions decisions:-{}



Thanks for the tip DP. I see you're a heavy hay hauler so your advice is noteable. What do you think about the water injection?



Bruce



Sorry, I'm not really trying to change this thread line about straight pipes.

 

[phillips5]

Water injection? Ok now were going over board. 500 mile trip probly need 500 gallons. You will regain the egt's that you save. And pay in fuel. Not to mention bent rods from all the oops that was to much water.

 

[NYChris]

Chris-



About a week after I got my '93 last spring, the pipe rusted off right behind the downpipe. I ripped the whole stock exhaust off and drove it for a few days with it exiting right under the passenger's feet. WOW! You talk about loud. I rounded up all the parts and went 3" straight all the way back with a stock tailpipe. Cab noise isn't much greater than with the muffler when cruising, but spool-up and acceleration were improved. It sounds awesome and admittedly roars pretty good when you stand on it! No complaints from the neighbors yet. I back off when going by the authorities and don't even get a second look. Wouldn't go back now.



Chris

 

[Greenleaf]

Good on ya NY!



Scott

 

[dpuckett]

bflood-

make that WAS a heavy hay hauler (thank you Stoddard County ). But, I'll be in the hauling game again as soon as I get my butt out to northern Colorado. Need to get an intercooler before I get back in the game too hot and heavy, though.

I havent looked into water injection. I may do that tomorrow; I'm beat, and it's only Wednesday. I honestly have no idea what it is; start a new thread if you're interested in covering that.



-DP