We all know getting a full stainless steel mandrel bent exhaust is expensive. I've been toying with the idea of getting all of the materials online, and having them cut and welded according to a detailed plan.

All of the parts, including mandrel bent sections, straights, flanges, resonator and mufflers can be bought for around $500 shipped online. The question is: will I save any money if I bring the materials and plan to a reputable welder?

There's a lot I'm still unsure about when it comes to the b-pipe. Particularly the angles before the mid-muffler, at the y pipe, and from the y to the mufflers. So pretty much everything.

Here's a rough sketch and some notes I made. Also I've uploaded a snapshot of my cart contents, showing how well priced you can find this stuff for.

Any technical information, criticism, reality checks, ect. are welcome.

 

An update:

Found a great online vendor with great prices.



All mild steel, mandrel bends, straights, merge, and flanges for $300 shipped. This + a resonator and two magnaflows = around $500 for ALL materials shipped to my door.

No one wants to throw in their 2 cents?

 

Have you got any quotes from any shops? You should just to compare. They might even get better deals on material since they probably buy in larger quantities.

 

i had a shop make me a custom B pipe all stainless and its beautiful, i paid $400 for it and $360 for my cans

 

I agree with Gnuts get a quote from a shop for labor and material just so you know. It would also be good if you could check out there work.

 

Mandrel Bends?

 

what shop is this ? and where ?

 

I too wish to know this information

 

I started planning my exhaust since getting a custom header. I will be going with 3" though. I am still undecided between 1 or 2 mufflers, but I am leaning more towards 1. It will flow better, cost less, and weigh less. The only negative would be looks. I plan on buying a 2nd used cl bumper and cutting a section out to plastic weld to the left exhaust cutout in the bumper. When it is all complete I will have around $3500 into just my exhaust.

I drew out a diagram for the hell of it with what I came up with so far. I used all 3" vibrant T304 stainless parts besides the Magnaflow muffler. The resonator can be moved further down if wanted.



Here is the parts list from amazon. Depending on muffler the materials cost 848.31 or 871.70. I will probably have King Motorsports weld it for me.

Magnaflow muffler #14819 $172.05 4" Tip

or Magnaflow muffler #14835 $195.44 7" Tip

Straight Tube 5 ft. #2642 $98.45

45 degree bend x 2 #13102 $45.40 x 2

U-J Bend Tube #2611 $106

Ultra Quiet Resonator #1142 $94.76

Turboflex Coupling 6" #61006 $76.42

Exhaust hangers #1198 $59.15

V-Band Flange Assembly x 2 #1491 $75.79 x 2

 

Brian, Have you considered running no muffler? I know it sounds crazy, but if you ran one 18" standard vibrant resonator, then two vibrant ultra quiets you might see the same flow and keep dual tips.

Got the idea here, and I'm considering it for my setup.






It's a GXP but still gives us an idea of how quiet the system could be, while still being all straight through.

 

And if weight is a concern I'd run aluminized steel and ceramic coat, or hi-temp paint it. It would be significantly lighter than T304.

 

Also T304 Straight tube can be had for much cheaper.

Check out Columbia River Mandrel Bending. Their prices are great.

 

yes they are mandrel bends, and it was Scotty Muffler in Middletown,DE

 

Yes I have considered no muffler(dumps down in middle of car), 1 muffler, or 2 mufflers. What is the point of running the setup you suggest over 1 resonator and 2 mufflers? Doesn't adding 2 more resonators technically make them mufflers anyway? Those resonators plus tips probably add as much weight as a normal muffler will.

I could go with something like this plus ultra quiet resonator and just weld on tips but I don't think that will be quiet enough for the streets.
http://vibrantperformance.com/catalo...roducts_id=271

I am gonna run T304. There really isn't that much tubing and that part would not save much weight. The weight really comes from the flex coupling, resonators, mufflers and v-band clamps.

Thnx for the link. I might buy my tubing from them but get the rest elsewhere. You also have to keep in mind shipping costs since my links had free shipping. For a 23 lb package Columbia River will charge me $61.30 for shipping. That makes the prices more even.
http://www.mandrel-bends.com/catalog/shopping_cart.php

Their v-band flanges are cheaper but don't look like the same quality as vibrants. Vibrants seem to have a small lip that the pipe slips into also for easy/better fit. Not sure about those.

 

Resonators are basically glass pack mufflers, I just picked up an 18" Dynomax and it looks just like a cherry bomb. LOL I plan on running resonated single 2.5" back to a Flowmaster 44 1 in 2 out and pipe out in the stock locations.

 

Just found this. $170 for 2.5" Aluminized Steel, $245 for 2.5" 304 Stainless.

http://www.mandrelexhaustsystems.com...EXHAUST/Detail

 

Thanks 01CLinprocess that is awesome!!!

 

I don't know too much about exhaust systems but is the link above all you need to do the full 2.5" resonated cat-back exhaust?

 

I would suggest a cutout instead and custom piping until the cutout. Beyond that the mufflers are an unnecessary expense. Using a resonator or cherry bomb would do just fine. Bigger the resonator the quieter the car. You'll get it to scream at higher RPM's but purr at freeway speeds with no drone.

01CLinprocess is right on.

Also talk to a few shops. Those guys buy their pipes for a lot cheaper and may be able to hook you up.

 

Just about. It says it comes with flanges and hangers. All you need is the resonator of your choice ($80-$100 Magnaflow/Dynomax/Vibrant) and two mufflers of your choice. From dotcomparts you can get two Magnaflow 14832's for $175 shipped. Then welding of course. This kits great because of all the choices, you could go with v-bands instead of clamps, aluminized or stainless tubing, and you can choose your end piping diameter.

So $450 for 2.5" aluminized, resonator, and two magnaflows. (+ some cutting and welding)

Good deal eh?

 

Hell yea I already have the magnaflow mufflers I might have to jump on this around tax season.

 

Do call around before you buy this though. If there's a shop near you that does real mandrel bending get a qoute. Also ask them how much they'd charge to weld everything up.

 

Will do thanks for the heads up!