Good source for mandrel bends for headers?

[dorquemada]

I'm welding up a set of N/A headers for my 3.0, and I'm looking for a good place to buy mandrel bent mild steel tubing in 1.650", 2", and 2.5". U bends, 45 degree and 90 degree should do it. Thus far, I've found these guys:

http://www.spdexhaust.com/index.html


Any other recommendations? I'll be torch welding these puppies, so it's 14 or 16 ga. mild steel only. I'll consider stainless once I successfully make a set AND get the hang of TIG, but not until.

J.C.Whitney sells bends in various shapes/sizes.

I've also heard that Summit, and Jegs sell them, but I haven't checked.

[eef mcglikn]

cheep fast fun.....j'c' whitney has em

eef

[HYDCSX400]

http://www.burnsstainless.com/

They are kinda pricy, but you will not find better quality.

You may be looking for somthing cheaper for your first mild steel header but you should deff. look them up when your ready to do the real one on 321 SS.

I know you said the steel one is just to try it first but keep in mind if you like it, don't let yourself settle for the mild steel one that you already have finished. Once your happy with your finished prototype design make another in 321 stainless. You'll be glad you did. At higher exhaust temps the carbon and impurities will actualy seperate from the steel and form little balls and blobs on the inside of the pipe. If you ever try and do this on a turbo car you will wear away at your turbin wheel as these little balls the size of the head of a pin come loose and go through your turbo. (I know this one is for N/A but still)

Also the mild steel will warp and crack pretty easy. Another thing is keeping heat in the exhaust is an important part in keeping flow up. 321 SS holds heat much better than mild steel.

Burns's site has a tech articles page with some good reading on header theory and properties of the alloys they carry.

good luck and keep us posted

[Mystryguy]

call thechassisshop.com they will hook you up

[Matt GT]

take a drive down to your nearest exhaust shop i can guarantee they just have pipe laying around that theyll bend how ever you like for next to nothing

i had a cold air intake made for my truck for 10$ by marty the muffler man it made a big difference in my top end i might add too

[dorquemada]

Quote:

Originally posted by HYDCSX400 I know you said the steel one is just to try it first but keep in mind if you like it, don't let yourself settle for the mild steel one that you already have finished. Once your happy with your finished prototype design make another in 321 stainless. You'll be glad you did.

Ah, but that would violate the first law of EEK ownership:

Wait till it breaks, then fix it for cheap.

Seriously, I'll be learning TIG this fall. I learn quick, so once I've got the hang of it I'll be able to use the classroom resources (read: TIG welder and blast cabinet) to do it.

[dorquemada]

Quote:

Originally posted by Matt GT take a drive down to your nearest exhaust shop i can guarantee they just have pipe laying around that theyll bend how ever you like for next to nothing

All the shops around here seem to do crush bending, which wouldn't work too good for headers. The nearest shop that does mandrel bending is about 40 miles away, but they offer discounts to the local sports car club members. I'll ask when I go pick up the U-bends for my Reliant.