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Old Oct 16, 2007 | 11:10 AM
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Which performance exhaust system should I buy for my vette? I'd like to weld up my own, as I am very good with a mig welder...but I'd like to buy prebent pipes (like a kit) that I can assemble. I want this car to scream when its done, like a harley on four wheels. Any comments?
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Old Oct 16, 2007 | 11:48 AM
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I bought a bunch of mandrel bends and straight pipe and fabricated my own system.

If you have the welding skills, I'd suggest that route... nice, cheap, and much pride.
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Old Oct 16, 2007 | 12:50 PM
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Please don't take this as sarcasm, but are you really saving a lot of money by doing it yourself with the mandrel bends? How much longer do you think it would take for you to do it from scratch so to speak?


I'm just curious.

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Old Oct 16, 2007 | 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Maymyvetteliveforevr
Please don't take this as sarcasm, but are you really saving a lot of money by doing it yourself with the mandrel bends? How much longer do you think it would take for you to do it from scratch so to speak?


I'm just curious.

I spend around $200 on material for all 2.5" stainless.

Cheap? very
Quality? better than anything on the market
Time? Dont care, love working on the car. Last years winter project.

Its the pride aspect as well... Knowing that I fabricated the entire system myself, TIG welded every joint, and laid the pipes exactly where I want them. That my friend, is priceless.
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Old Oct 16, 2007 | 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by JoeRags
I spend around $200 on material for all 2.5" stainless.

Cheap? very
Quality? better than anything on the market
Time? Dont care, love working on the car. Last years winter project.

Its the pride aspect as well... Knowing that I fabricated the entire system myself, TIG welded every joint, and laid the pipes exactly where I want them. That my friend, is priceless.
I wish I had your skills. Also, my meager electrical setup does not allow for welding. But that is the one skill I wish I could learn.

Having said that, I am fortunate to have a local exhaust shop owned by two brothers who are hard-core car guys. So next year I will go to them for a complete custom system. Block to tips.

As to the point of doing your own work on your corvette, see my signature............
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Old Oct 16, 2007 | 05:50 PM
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I welded up some california turbo mufflers on my 82. It came out really good and cost me $18.00 for each muff. and I had left over pipe from my 67 chevy truck exhaust. (cat back install) Take your time and meassure 3 times and cut twice
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Old Oct 16, 2007 | 06:19 PM
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www.pypes.com ... they have a good "looking" system ... have no feedback on it yet.

Waiting on any comment from forum members who have bought pypes
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Old Oct 17, 2007 | 07:50 AM
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Originally Posted by brdd
I wish I had your skills. Also, my meager electrical setup does not allow for welding. But that is the one skill I wish I could learn.
Thanks

The exhaust was my second welding project ever... Just went for it and it came out awesome! All it takes is time and patience.
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Old Oct 17, 2007 | 10:38 AM
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Originally Posted by hemorrhage22
www.pypes.com ... they have a good "looking" system ... have no feedback on it yet.

Waiting on any comment from forum members who have bought pypes
I am considering buying them for my C3, like you, I would like to hear some input from someone who has them. Looks like it will cost about $700 for a complete stainless set.
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Old Oct 17, 2007 | 11:26 AM
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JoeRags is 100% correct, its the pride aspect as well. If my friends ever ask me where I bought the exhaust from, I can tell them I fabricasted it myself! Plus, I am rebuilding everything else by myself on this vette, so I don't mind building it myself. If I ever have to modify it for some reason, I won't feel guilty cutting up an exhaust system which I spent loads of cash on...

Any more comments?
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Old Oct 17, 2007 | 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by stinger12

Any more comments?
Yup!

eBay... I got all of my mandrel bends and straight pipe on ebay over a few months. I kept my eyes open and occasionally, a real cheap bend would come up. I later found a supplier who I bought three or four bends from (I can get you the name later, no ebay from work - PM me). Straight pipe was fairly inexpensive as well as its tough to find locally. There are some specialty metal suppliers around that carry stainless pipe, but you must have an account with them.

My whole philosophy (since I've never really fabricated anything) was that I could just put my crap pipes back on if I really screwed up.
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Old Oct 17, 2007 | 04:54 PM
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Originally Posted by JoeRags
Yup!

eBay... I got all of my mandrel bends and straight pipe on ebay over a few months. I kept my eyes open and occasionally, a real cheap bend would come up. I later found a supplier who I bought three or four bends from (I can get you the name later, no ebay from work - PM me). Straight pipe was fairly inexpensive as well as its tough to find locally. There are some specialty metal suppliers around that carry stainless pipe, but you must have an account with them.

My whole philosophy (since I've never really fabricated anything) was that I could just put my crap pipes back on if I really screwed up.
I am looking at doing this project over the winter. Could you please share the contact where you purchased bends. I have been struggling to find a good source.

Thanks.
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