Well, Santa dropped a huge box under my tree with a MBRP 5" exhaust in it. I got it on and it is amazing. Now I'm wondering which is next, an aftermarket intake manifold, modding the stock air box, or an aftermarket cold air intake. I've read good and bad things on the aftermarket cold air intakes and am leaning more towards modding the stock air box. I can get the BD Diesel manifold for like 250locally through a friend but haven't seen or heard much on it.

 

The intake mods are the least cost effective. They help spooling a tiny bit but nobody has seen anything on a dyno. I don't know what you have. Have you done the lift pump and turbo yet? My turbo was a huge improvement even before adding fuel. Craig

 

I've got an 04 that has the 235hp in it. I put a diablo tuner on it to get more power and now I'm starting to add more. Exhaust needed to happen anyways it was getting pretty rusted. The truck started life in upstate Ny. The turbo will be upgraded when it needs to be replaced. I debated doing it at the same time as the exhaust but I can always just replace the down pipe later on when I do it.

 

Does the new DP replace the cast iron elbow and clamp to the turbo 4" outlet? I'd still do a turbo upgrade. That alone released a lot of top end hp on my 305, got rid of the flat spots and cooled down the egt. I ran the Diablo stack and it's on the hot side. Craig

 

No the elbow is still there. But looking at the mbrp website the only difference in my exhaust and the one for an 04.5 is the down pipe. So I know that if I get an 04.5 turbo I'll be able to just swap down pipes. I want to get gauges next an see where everything lays temp and boost wise.

 

I had safe egt (1225°max) with a better turbo/4" and running Pred 100 hp. I couldn't burn it down if I tried. I think you can still use the 351 or other turbos w/o changing the DP. You'll just have the c.i. elbow that goes down to 3.5". Craig

 

Lift pump and extra filtration is the best next move. Reliability! then just play with the tuner. If you are automatic then with the extra HP/TQ you will find yourself doing the trany. If you are manual then say hello to Mr southbend. Welcome to the slippery slope $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$