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May 25, 2006 | 08:50 PM

Summerfun

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Need a brilliant plan....

I bought this 90" length of 308 (I think that is what it is) grade Stainless Steel a while back for the purpose of making side pipes with it.

It is 4" ID and NO ONE has a bender bigger than 3,5"

I want to bend it 90 degrees in the middle without putting a kink into it and cut it in half so that I have two nice thick SS side pipes.

What can I do?
I thought about using a wheel off a smart car or some foolish little car like that, but you need to clamp the pipe when you bend it so that it bends at one spot only.

May 25, 2006 | 09:04 PM

ljthe2nd

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 2005

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From: North Port Fl

You might be able to rent a rigid conduit bender that electricians use, for 4 inch rigid conduit, that would bend it!

May 25, 2006 | 09:44 PM

76vette1

Pro

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 505

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From: Houston Tx.

I think it might make the radius too large for what you want. Take a look at the link.

http://www.toolup.com/productinfo.as...anuf=+Greenlee

May 25, 2006 | 09:57 PM

b71vette

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 1,043

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From: Va

suggest you buy a 180 degree mandrel U bend from Summit , swag the end a bit and weld it on. Her is a shot the side pipes I made, they are
3" O.D. or find someone who has a Unless you can find someone who has mandrel bender.

these were fitted under OEM side covers

May 25, 2006 | 11:26 PM

84rzv500r

Drifting

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 1,486

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From: Big Pine Key FL

You've got a couple of problems to deal with.

Are you using Hooker sidepipe headers or Stahl?

1 If your using hookers you'll need to expand about a three inch section of pipe to fit over the collector.

2 bends and tips... Check out the local big rig garage or parts store... I'd get some mandrel bends and tig the thing together...

I know this guy who has a CNC plasma cutter with a program to make the mounting tabs for hooker style mountings. I think he could be persuaded to cut some out of 1/8 thick 304 stainless. You cant be in a big hurry though...

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1393361

May 26, 2006 | 06:48 AM

Summerfun

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 84rzv500r

I'd get some mandrel bends and tig the thing together...

I know this guy who has a CNC plasma cutter with a program to make the mounting tabs for hooker style mountings. I think he could be persuaded to cut some out of 1/8 thick 304 stainless. You cant be in a big hurry though...

I want to try and stay away from the tig thing as it will show too much.....
I have lots of time as I have my silicone blasted and black painted Hookers on there now. I just prefer the SS and like the idea of 304SS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by b71vette

suggest you buy a 180 degree mandrel U bend from Summit

The stuff they sell is peper thin, that's why I went with 304SS. Unfortunately I can't remember the company I bought it from in the first place. I found them on a google day......somewhere in Detroit, I think.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76vette1

make the radius too large

Yes, I need a 140" length to work with that machine and I don't think that one of those are available locally anyway

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljthe2nd

You might be able to rent a rigid conduit bender that electricians

I'll phone around today. The guy who wired my garage has a '68. I doubt they use those benders in a small city like ours, though.

Thanks for the input! Keep it coming.

May 26, 2006 | 08:28 AM

BBShark

Drifting

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Posts: 1,426

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From: VetteMOD

St. Jude Donor '05-'07

This place has 4" 304SS bends:

http://www.stainlessworks.net/cart/p...oducts_id=1327

They will also do special bends from a sketch.

May 26, 2006 | 04:58 PM

Summerfun

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Quote:

Originally Posted by BBShark

This place has 4" 304SS bends:

http://www.stainlessworks.net/cart/p...oducts_id=1327

They will also do special bends from a sketch.

Hmmmm, I can make that work.

I may be able to buy a 24" length of 5" 304 SS as well in order to make a cover for my now black header collector and header pipes where they exit from under the car.

I have a plan

Nice website for future reference too!