7.3 IDI exhaust question

[Coastie]

I bought my truck with a blown chevy 350 in it. So I put in a 93 Ford 7.3 IDI diesel (non-turbo) engine in the truck. It's ran through a matching ZF5 manual trans. I don't have a mandrel or other type of pipe bender so I paid a local place to put in a custom exhaust. He did a pretty good job, but his equipment was a "crush" instead of mandrel bend. Does anyone know if I will see a performance difference of a crushed exhaust (with a 90 degree) in each tube or would a true mandrel bend somehow benefit me more for this engine? The system is free flow beyond the bend in each line. They link together to flow through a single 3.5 inch free-flow diesel muffler. No cat and (very) long tubes from the headers to the split.

I've heard both sides of the argument... wanted the zone's opinion

[randyscycle]

Honestly, for everyday driving in a 5,500 lb truck, I doubt you'll notice it. Do a few performance mods or add a turbo and it may be a different story.

[kwai]

In a non-turbo you won't see a difference

[maskale]

what size is the pipe before the split?

If its any bigger then stock then I dont thing it will be a down grade from stock. Stock those trucks had a neck down behind the engine where the two sides came together.

[Barrman]

As already written. A truck shaped like a brick with 5.87 gears doesn't really let you use the engine the way it could be used. You will find that 2500 rpm is going to be your practical red line unless you are just playing around. Exhaust bends, size and shape don't really matter all that much at such a low rpm.