i see that a lot of you guys use Schedule 40 pipe to make your manifolds, why don't you use Schedule 20? it would work just fine, and be lighter than the schedule 40.

also, as far as mandrel bends, since nobody has answered this in any of the other threads i've posted it in...

is it critical that the IC/Intake piping be mandrel bent? is there anything wrong with using 2.5" crush bent stainless? (i only say this because i have access to an exhaust shop that has a bender)

As far as manifolds go, an equal length crush bent manifold will perform _______________ a schedule 40 mandrel bent, log style manifold.

A.. The same as.
B.. Better than.
C.. Worse than.

being a welder i can easily weld the pipe together, the only problem is finding the bends and the pipe that i deem acceptable. i was thinking it would be easy enough to build either style manifold (log, or equal crush)

so if you have any ideas, or concerns aside from answering my questions i'd be happy to hear them, thanks.

-cua0

 

Wow.

IMO the thicker pipe would be stronger and less prone to cracking. True, a lighter manifold would be better, but when it compromises the integritiy of the structure it defeats the original purpose.

The crush bent pipes are obviously not going to flow as well as a mandrel bent pipe. It might not be a huge gain as far as horsepower, but it will be a gain with mandrel. I wouldn't suggest making a manifold out of cruch bent pipe. That is the heart of what makes the turbo spin and you would be taking flow away from it. This is why some manifolds outflow others. The flow characteristics are crucial in a turbo manifold.
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the only way i could forsee that schedule 20 cracking would be if the welds weren't fused properly, and in that case you're going to end up with the same problem eventually regardless of how thick your pipe is, actually if you use thinner material your root face doesn't need to be as wide, if at all so you're more prone to better fusion.

my understanding is that the crush bent manifold would definately flow smoother than the mandrel 90*s and Tee's because the gasses are being directed from each port rather than being forced into a compression chamber (having one cylinder fighting the gasses of the other three, or vice versa)

 

The nice part about mandrel bent anything is the fact that it is the same size throughout. With crushbent the pipe is only as big as it's smallest point. So you could figure with 2.5" crushbent piping it comes out to around 2.25" after your bends. It's not all that bad. My car has crush bent charge piping. 2.5". I did it when I worked at an exhaust shop. Free and quick. It does the job.

 

Ahhhhh........your comparing a log style to an equal length. I would have to say that even a crush bent manifold would flow better than a log style mandrel.
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excellent. i think that's what i'll do then. i've been looking into it and the only thing i'm going to have any problem with is the flange, i may need to see who i know that works at a machine shop

or just use the plasma cutter..

when you guys build your own manifolds, do you get your flanges machined, or do you cut/grind them yourself?

 

I cut mine out myself out of 1/2" angle. Since I'm not mass-producing them yet, I thought I'd cut it out using a drill press (drilling a thousand holes around the outline of the flange)and an angle grinder. The end result was spectactular.



You can also buy the flange from Burns
http://www.burnsstainless.com/Hardwa...adflanges.html

or dh-racing

http://www.dh-racing.com/

There are other companies (I seen it for $40) but I can't think of them off the top of my head.

 

awesome. thanks guys!