1991civicsi

Im in the process of ordering 2.5" piping for my IC. My question is - which material is preferred to use - Mild steel or Aluminized steel? Also, whats the diff?
And
Would (2) 180 degree, (2) 90 degree (2) 45 degree (1) 3ft. str. length suffice?
BTW its going on a 91 Civic w/a D16a6.
Thanks.

myshtern

Aluminized steel is mild steel with a thin coat of aluminum on it. This prevents the steel from rusting.

ju-on

I rock the mild steel for my IC pipes. If you paint the outside of it, then that should stop any rusting. Exhaust I use aluminzed.

robs99si

I'd go with aluminized, which is what I used, no rust.

mugenblacky16

I use mild steel because I weld my piping together. Easier to weld and you don't have to prep the weld surface by removing the alum coating first. Then just paint it after. You probably have to do some welding, unless you're just going to put couplers on everything. BTW, if you are welding the bends then you might as well buy all 180* bends and cut the angles you need. Pretty easy and much cheaper. I would just buy four 180 degree bends. That would cover all the bends you need, plus some extra just in case.

myshtern

Welding aluminized is the same as welding mild steel.

I would never use mild steel for charge piping. When you humid or wet weather moisture will accumulate inside of your charge piping. That will result in surface rust. Eventually, that surface rust will blow off the tubing and into your intake manifold, then combustion chamber. Do you really want little chunks of rust going through your engine??

1991civicsi

Good stuff fellas. Thanks!

bigdaddyvtec

I know it wasnt a choice... but i would use (actually i did) aluminum tubing.... Not only will it NOT rust inside or out, but the heat dissapation properties of aluminum are far better than steel, adding to the dispersment of the heat produced by compressing air. Kinda like an extended ntercooler of sorts. It does help, I tried. It worked, not that ya care but i got oine opf those "kits" off of ebay... like 130 shipped. Really pretty pipes too...Polished and ----.

2 45s
2 70s
2 90s
and two straight. 14" lengths. came with couplers (Cheap) and clamps (worm drive) too. I didnt use those, but you may be able too.....

1991civicsi

I received my charge pipes from Racing Solutions. Ive got aluminized steel 2.5". and it is heavy, After I picked up the shipping box it arrived in I said to myself aluminum would have been a better choice to save some weight. But anyhow the price was right, and I'm planning on welding the pipes together.

ju-on

I seriouslly think that for most of our applications, the difference would be so negligable that opting for aluminum based solely on the idea that it will keep it cooler because the metal changes temps quicker is stupid. Heck, I know when I open up my hood it's like a heater sometimes because the exhaust mani gets so hot. If that's the case, then I'd think the aluminum would heat up unless it's in some direct path of moving air.

Also, Aluminzed piping, isn't that coating only on the outside of the pipe? So for the one who said they used Aluminzed, and mild steel sucks because the inside will rust, I'd think you'rs would rust just as much as mine. BTW, my uncoated mild steel piping still has no rust.