First off great forum! I found this place through someone on VWvortex.com and have been happily lurking ever since.

Finally got up the guts to attempt a header build for my rabbit pickup. I used these pre formed 2-1 collectors. I was wondering what the best way to weld them all up is going to be? They are formed but it isn't a perfect fit. There are small gaps between the pipes and some situations where there is a small air gap at least 180 degrees around the pipe. I was thinking maybe hold it tight with a vice grip and weld up a section then move to another and repeat. Or maybe just glob a bunch of weld on and deal with it? Should I just weld in between the pipes? Any general comments on what I've got going so far?

Thanks in advance.

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nice

 

yeah it looks brilliant.

 

a little gap is good it provide a stronger weld.

 

With a lap joint?

 

The weld material is stronger than the base metal.

Header looks damn good.

 

Pretty nice looking header.

 

were did you buy those merge collectors

 

If you're using filler a little gap should be fine. Once you get a weld started you'll see both ends wet and then you just stick the rod in and the two become one. With TIG anyway. I don't know a lot about MIG, but it seems to fill in gaps even better.

 

Thanks for the info folks. I will be TIGing it. I ordered the collectors from Columbia River Formed Collectors - Columbia River Mandrel Bending but they had someone else drop ship them to me I forget whom.