To 12 or not to 12?

[Mgrant]

Living here in Idaho and pulling these heavy loads, I've been considering installing a 12cm housing on my truck for some time and I'm hoping all the 12cm 1st Gen owners can offer some thought. I currently have the 16cm housing, but to me it doesn't seem to be enough low end boost to shift up through the Getrag without getting things warm, especially starting a heavy load of a steep grade. After making a gear change, smoke will roll and my post pyro will often take a quick spike to 1000* at 10-12 psi until I gain the magical RPM where temps will drop back down to 850-900 or so and boost climbs to 15-20. I know the math puts it at 1100 or so pre turbo, but that EGT will so quickly that it makes me wonder if doing the math is accurate at that RPM. I've tightened the starwheel to the point where I think I'm starting to cut into the top end and I don't want to tighten it any more. I'm wondering if the 12cm will give enough low end air to keep things cool until RPM rises and not have to tighten the AFC to the point where it cuts into my top end power.

BUT, what's holding me back from going to the 12cm is that the wastegate only dumps one side of the divided exhaust manifold, leaving the front exhaust port to do all the driving with heat and pressure and the rear port being relieved of it's pressure. This is my theory why the 2nd Gen brothers and cracking their manifolds when they bombs away. Can anyone give any differing EGT numbers between the front and rear port with a 12cm wastegated housing? I have been considering getting my HX35 Piersified and keep the 16cm housing, but will it be enough? What I really need is a split gearbox or a Roadranger, but that can be tough installing one infront of the married np205. I'd love to hear any ideas, thoughts, or suggestions anyone has.

Mike