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Thinking about doing my own exhast system

Auggie56

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I have downpipes and Magnaflow mufflers buying a straight pipe and four forty-fives ought to get me as far as to the tailpipes which my niece's husband has a pipe bender and a lift and has offered to bend up what I need. I know the frustration factor getting things to line up so I can get to his house an hour away. So has anyone had any luck doing this? My point is the cost involved in having a shop do the work. The only money I will spend at this end would be the stock pipe and clamps. Price of just having a shop do it?

Thanks
 
Jegs is having a "Garage Sale"right now.
Has many exhaust system kits for pretty good prices listed.
Might be worth checking 'um out.
 
If the guy bending and welding flanges knows what he's doing and what it's supposed to look like, no issues. My exhaust is now 31 years old on my Superbird that was done just that way. I've also seen some really messed up jobs.
 
I did my own exhaust on my Charger from the headers back with an X pipe out of 3-1/2" mandrel bends and straight pipe to the mufflers. Then 3" out of the mufflers over the axle thru dynomax resonators thru the stock 70' modified Charger tips. This was all on jack stands in my garage. No lift needed. Tacked everything. Made removable at the rear axle. Took out in 3 pieces and welded fully on the bench. I had less than $250.00 in to the whole exhaust. Still on the car today and it's been on for about 15+ years.
 
Depends on tools and skill level. With a lift and tube bender, and welder should be pretty easy.
On jackstands, without a tube bender, it is going to take quite a bit longer.
Results with either depend on how good you weld, and how much time and attention to detail is done.
When working with bends, make sure to mark the tube for reference points when making multiple bends. Usually the tube seam is the first index.
Bending exhaust tubing with multiple bends on different planes takes some skill and being able to visualize in 3D.
 
All my high end TTI was so-so at best. Right side good. Left side bad. Header sent back. Fixed one issue and created another. I fixed that. Left exhaust pipe went on a local bender as well as tail pipe to correct fitment. So if the guy is good on a bender go for it.
 
A good mandrel bender is the key. A bit of spare tubing to account for things makes sense.
 
I haven't installed mine yet, but the plan is to use these mandrel bent tailpipes:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/flo-15806

and a couple of pre-bent mandrel bends and some straight pipe. Those tailpipes were on sale a month or 2 back for $20-30 less. Still have to pay $20 freight.

I'm gonna try using the FlowFX mufflers with short glasspacks welded to the inlet. If I have any drone, I can still add resonators in the tailpipes easily.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/flo-71226

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-630853

And put it together with these clamps:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-681250
 
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Is it an exhaust pipe bender? Is it a mandrel bender? Do you care if its Muffler shop crease bends? Does he have the proper size dies for your desired diameter? Has he bent exhaust before? There is an art to it. Cut and weld mandrel bends are the best. And easier to do if you can weld. If you are thinking about bending parts without the car being at his shop? Forget it. No hoist with custom tail pipes? Nope
Doug
 
My local mom and pop exhaust shop is so low cost I would never consider doing this job myself.
 
Is it an exhaust pipe bender? Is it a mandrel bender? Do you care if its Muffler shop crease bends? Does he have the proper size dies for your desired diameter? Has he bent exhaust before? There is an art to it. Cut and weld mandrel bends are the best. And easier to do if you can weld. If you are thinking about bending parts without the car being at his shop? Forget it. No hoist with custom tail pipes? Nope
Doug
This is how I do mine^^^
To answer your question though, that all depends on how good he is with the bender?
 
I bought a pair of b body flow master tail pipes off Jegs , 2 1/2" for my 67,
They fit great but run close to the replacement fuel tank side flanges.
If I was to do it again I would go 2 1/4" or roll the flange sides down 1st.
Mine dont rub but it took some time getting the hangers set right.
 
Lots of information here many thanks.
 
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