Have heard so much talk about mandrel and press piping for cat-back systems. Which is better?

 

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[This message has been edited by max mitchell (edited 12-23-2000).]

 

Does anyone know where I can get mandrel bent pipe for my cat back exhaust? I have tried looking online but was unable to find out anything. I now know that mandrel is better but:
1. I don't know how to acquire it
2. I don't really know what it is. Is it just regular pipe but bent differently? If that is the case, how do you mandrel bend it?

p.s. Neal I hope you read this since, you were one of the view signatures I saw with mandrel bends.

Thanks

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SpliT

2000 Work Series
Deep Wedgewood Blue
Standard Cab
4.2L V6 3.08 Gears
Mean Streak Cat-Back Exhaust(Anyone else have one, I hate mine)
Weld Super Single Wheels
Pioneer Deck DEH-P7200
Tinted Windows
Clear Corners

Future Mods: Superchip, FIPK, Bedliner, Tach, Billet Grille, 6.5" Fabtech Ultimate Suspension Lift!!!

Email Me at: F150v6@Aol.com

 

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[This message has been edited by max mitchell (edited 12-23-2000).]

 

Last question Max:

So if I buy just a muffler, do most muffler shops mandrel press the pipe if requested?

------------------
SpliT

2000 Work Series
Deep Wedgewood Blue
Standard Cab
4.2L V6 3.08 Gears
Mean Streak Cat-Back Exhaust(Anyone else have one, I hate mine)
Weld Super Single Wheels
Pioneer Deck DEH-P7200
Tinted Windows
Clear Corners

Future Mods: Superchip, FIPK, Bedliner, Tach, Billet Grille, 6.5" Fabtech Ultimate Suspension Lift!!!

Email Me at: F150v6@Aol.com

 

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[This message has been edited by max mitchell (edited 12-23-2000).]

 

Not too many shops will do the mandrels. I haven't found any around so I will be buying some since I am going to do some minor mods to my Gibson Supertruck.

The most important thing about mandrel bends is they maintain the same diameter all the way. So you do not have there power robbing restrictions.

As far as I know you can buy 45º, 90º and 180º mandrel bents from JCWhitney. Summitt have some but no 45º's. I am getting mine from JCWhitney. Check the exhaust section and build what you need, it's all there.

Good luck with your project.

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My Ride: 1998 F150 4x4 Lariat Supercab Flareside 5.4L in Oxford White/gold, ORP, Tow Package, 3.55 Gears.

Modifications:
K&N FIPK
Gibson Supertruck Exhaust System
Stepshield door sill protectors
Performance Accesories 3" Body Lift
Superlift 3" lift blocks
Performance Lift Lips
Gabriel Gas Ryder LT VST Shocks
Daystar Front Anti-sway Bar Polyurethane Bushings
Heckethorn Steering Stabilizer
35x12.5R16.5LT BFG All Terrain KO's
16.5x9.75 American Eagle 589's.

Photos at: http://www.communicomgroup.com/jmtruck

 

Technically...
But not realistically...

C'mon Max, just say it.

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1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, 2000 F150 "XLT" wheels, 4.10 gears, Auburn LS, Clarion In-dash CD player, Smitty Bilt push bars and nerf bars.

2000 4x4 F250 SD XLT SuperCab SWB- 6.8L, Offroad Pkg, Camper Pkg, 4.30LS, Tape & CD player, Remote Keyless Entry, Sliding back glass, tinted windows, 265/75R16 OWL tires, & Line-X.

NoMo's site

 

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[This message has been edited by max mitchell (edited 12-23-2000).]

 

Your being too nice Max. I'm enveous!

It's hard to be diplomatic when your trying to tell someone "bad" news- like mandrel bent pipes won't help performance. Oops, OK, there I said it.


Happy Holidays!

 

nomo- I'm sorry for the confusion, but that was not the message that I was trying to convey. My opinion is that mandrel bent pipes flow more at maximum capacity.

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2000 F-150 XL, RC, LB, 5.4L, 4R70W, 3.55LS,
Class III tow, Payload #3, & Convenience pkgs.,
4-wheel disc/ABS, Chestnut/Parchment 40/60,
Ford bedliner w/Paintsaver & gas/wheel/spare locks,
K&N F.I.P.K. w/Outwears pre-filter, Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back w/ 3" Y-pipe,
Hellwig front & rear anti-sway bars, Rancho RS 9000s,
Mobil 1, K&N oil filter.

 

Max-
Essentially, I think we agree- I'm just not as diplomatic about it and was admiring what I thought was your same thoughts put much more P.C. PLEASE, PLEASE, NEVER edit your posts because of someone else! You have as much right to "speak" as anyone else.


There is no doubt that mandrel bent pipes flow more than crimp-bent ones. (Which I guess is really the original question!)

In my own strange way of trying to be helpful and save some people some money, I'm saying that mandrel bent pipes won't do a bit of good unless you have a super-built engine with headers and no cats

I'm truly sorry for the confusion.

Neal

 

There are several factors that come into play here. Mandrel bends will allow not only slightly more flow but also less turbulence. The total flow and restriction of a system with mandrel bends would be more a sum of those factors up until, and including, the muffler. With crimp bends there would be slightly more restriction after the muffler. This could be compensated somewhat by a less restrictive muffler.

Companies could save a LOT of money using crimp bends. They like to advertise gains, and if the mandrel gives even a slight increase, this helps sales.

I have a father in law who worked on dam runners for many years. They are fitted and finished to insane tolerances. There are no "rough" bends anywhere. This cost way more to produce, but results in increased efficiency.