Poll: any interest/need for custom mandrel bends?

[fiero308]

(here come all the newbie bits........) Hi, all; been watching this; glad to see it is moving again. I plan on spending some serious time working on my rebodied 85 in (probably) late April. Some of the work I will be doing suggests getting a mandrel pipe bender. If there is any interest or need for mandrel bent pipe or tube (exhaust? framework? etc?) I would like to hear about it as this thing is expensive(!) and I would like to make it pay back a little bit!  I also have a good mig welder and am looking into the necessary gas to weld stainless; if I figure it out I will be doing some of that here too.  
Not looking for commitments right now but some feel for an overall interest level, if any.  Probable pipe/tube size 1-1/2" to start but will see.
thanks & talk to you all soon!

[FieroBUZZ]

First of all WELCOME!


I have to do my exhaust sysytem.  I may be up for a custom bent job.  I also have a new system from Crappy Tire.  It is from cat to exhaust, missing only the 90 degree bends and tips.  If you want it to use for a template, let me know.

If you find a cheap supplier for the stainless tubing, you could even make bends to supply local muffler shops. They always need to have a source (those who don't custom bend).

You may also have a market for the crossover coolant tube behind the 2.8.  I know mine is broken (mounting brackets).  As well as coolant tubes that run along under the rockers.  You would not need to include the factory drains.  I could provide a used one as well to copy the bends.

If you do some legwork with  the other car clubs/makes I think you could pay the sucker off pretty quickly in your spare time. (I heard some people have spare time   )

I think for the exhaust a 2.25" pipe might be the best.

[fiero308]

Thanks for the welcome; nice to see the activity and interest.
I have been doing a lot of calcs etc; and from the point of view of an ex-SBC builder PLUS someone with financial limitations, I am going to try to only buy two sets of dies for the time being.  They run most of $500 per set.  You get my point..........
So I will want 2 - 1/2" for main pipes and probably 1 1/2" for primaries; usig the SBC as a guideline, each cylinder is about 712 cc displacement; the 2.8 is 467 cc each.  So the 1 5/8" primary that is commonly used for a SBC wouldn't probably be necessary.  BUT I will be running a turbo on mine (eventually) and so exhaust restriction and pressure drop will be very important; hence the 1-1/2" approximation that I am going with.  
but I could go on all nite..........

If I am going to get it, and I do plan to, it would be probably mid April.  That is about when my busy season grinds to a halt....

[FieroDough]

I would very much be interested in mandrel bending. I need to make a complete exaust from scratch for my 3800sc. do you think you can make headers? (I can't weld a leak proof seal if my life depended on it..  )

cheers!
Eric

[fiero308]

hi Eric;
just sent you a PM; but I have a GOOD mig welder and once I get my hand back into it I CAN actually weld..........
My garage is not heated and so I am waiting for April for various reasons; not the least of which is that I am way to busy to think about much else right now.  But April or early May latest is when I take 2 wks to do nothing but work on the car!!!!!  The light at the end of the tunnel!  At that time I will already have the mandrel bender IF I am going to get it at all.  (Pretty sure I will)  just a question of what size dies I will get at the same time.
I want to see what is involved in welding stainless; I have done loads of mild steel and even aluminum with the mig and so expect it won't be that difficult.  Gotta learn tho.
more later; busybusybusy
Graeme

[FieroDough]

were are you located?

[fiero308]

Barrhaven area; not exactly a commercial site but it will have to do.  My neighbours are getting pretty used to my eccentricities anyway.........

Got a double garage that is filled with a car and junk so a lot of work takes place in the driveway (tuneups, building trailers, ...... you know.....)
Things that go into the garage don't usually survive the experience or come out in one piece!
I work out of my home office (self or un-employed; take your pick) so I am here a LOT and run my own hours to a large extent so have some flexibility.
BTW; I am a mechanical designer (in HVAC) with a lot of auto experience and so like to think I know a bit about airflow etc; that is why I want to make my own intake, exhaust etc etc
Have done porting, polishing, cc'ing etc with GREAT success and reward in the past - it is WORTH it!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FieroDough]

sounds good!  
we we will have to hookup and exchange notes.

will you be at the meeting on the 15'th?

[Boy-z]

Hi Eric  Iam sure that the subject in question "fiero308" lives right behind me two houses over. The turbo part sounds very familar.

[fiero308]

right on, Sherlock Holmes!  lol!!
I am checking to see if I am allowed out by myself on Saturday nite.........
I THINK there is something on...... unfortunately but if I am wrong I will be there.
Boy-Z; you will have to update your name at some point....  maybe something more fitting.  I found out somethings about the 3.4 camaro motor that you may be interested in; maybe we should trade that sort of stuff off-line or off this site so we don't plug it up too much.
Regards
GP