Are there any con's, besides asthetically, to cutting/welding to make the bends vs one-piece mandrel bent piping, assuming it's welded properly?

 

the weld joints can theoretically cause extra turbulence which you'll get less of with a fully bent system. Also you need to pick your resonators carefuly otherwise you can be cursed with drone at cruise.

 

I thought about the weld joint issue, but didn't think it could really make a noticeable difference in power. Do you have any recommendations for resonators that won't make too much backpressure?

 

Most resonators will offer near zero backpressure.
There main job is to minimize the peaks
in the band you normally cruise (say 2000-3500 rpm).
Resonance will vary depending on many aspects of the exhaust design , you may need some trial and error.
Several companies sell resonators,
Borla, Magnaflow, Dynomax etc.
Dynomax has a very compact resonator that I've seen used on this board, however, it is only offered in aluminized steel (but you may not care for SS or not).

 

Thanks

 

Chris, if precision welded, there should be little no performance difference....at least nothing to worry about. Most shops lack a mendrel bender/jig, so they will find in mendrel bent pieces...as cut them accordingly.

If I had the chose, I would chose full mendrel, but they are hard to fine.

 

basically true, but nearly every state has a shop which has a mandrel bender at least up to 3", some can even do 4".
For example I'm in NorCal and personally I'm willing to drive down to Bakersfield
to a have a premium mandrel bent job done rather than a piece part job.
Given the money one dumps into a built LB , FI ,etc,etc it's worth the little extra effort IMO, especially since if done in SS it's going to outlive the car.

Now if you can wait a few months there will be several pre-built 3" options available

 

Unfortunately, there is are only two shops in Charlotte that do mendrel, and both of which never feel the need to answer their phone, or return message.

 

True they are "in-demand". Honestly I find it hard to believe that
any exhaust shop ,beyond a 1 man operation, wouldn't foot for at least a single entry level 3", $28k machine, the ROI would be pretty short.

Here's an example of an entry level "new" machine:

http://www.bii1.com/benders_f1.htm

And there is a higher end refurb on Ebay for <$32k.

Someine told me e fewweeks back that they cost >$250k.
Well yeh if your going to bend commerical hand rails , but for exhaust tubing it' simply not necessary.
.

 

Very interesting...not a bad investment...even for a smaller shop. You can easily charge $1200-$1500 for a very nice custom 3 inch exhuast system.

 

you could always make it an excuse to stop by Orange County Choppers -- i saw on their show that they just got one

Hey Sharif -- I'm coming back to you guys when i get around to putting the TT/etc on the engine, so if you happen to pick one up in the meantime, wink wink nudge nudge

 

my exhaust is done, i'm picking up my car later today...madrel bent pieces that are pieced together...no resonators...we'll see how it sounds, i may go back in and add resonators if it is too loud...
i'll post some pics when i go to pick it up

TODD

 

sweet todd, cant wait to see pics and video, my exhaust goes in this coming wednesday