Now that I recall , It was a DR. GAS that went on the 408 many years ago .. Really woke it up ! ( Like the sound too!) After that , I made my own versions using mandrel bends , cutting tools and welders . I remember the Dr.GAS was really ' pricey' when I purchased it .. Good Results though ! Cometized (Chip)
Yepper, Chip. Very easy to make.. just time consuming more than anything. Now everyone including the offshore copycats are making them these days. Once I started building all my own exhaust systems.. I immediately wished I had been doing it far sooner than when I finally started in my late 20's. I'm actually very surprised that more people don't build their own exhaust systems. Same goes for rebuilding transmissions.
Agree !! When we started building our own systems we realized that we could " tuck" them in a little tighter , bend a " little" sharper .. miss an obstruction .. etc. etc. The results were a tight-fitting X-Pipe system that was quite literally "Custom-Built" for the individual Car. We're altered a few sets of headers also , but that's a whole different can of worms there as I'm sure you realize. All in All .. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you really " dig in" to your project. I still avoid transmissions like the plague .. I prefer to have a real professional do mine ..( Found a man here in Orange City , FL ..Jon Campagnone ..He's great at setting up Rear Ends too .. ) Jon is a "racer' and builds a really quality race car frame, and roll cages.. for the people around here.. Anyway .. didn't mean to go on so .. See ya' later. Cometized (Chip)
Building your own custom exhaust is great for those who have the welding skills, bending tools, pipe/tube bending knowledge, work area, money and time to experiment -- my hat's off to them. But, for the rest of the 90+ percent of us -- I think it's wiser to go to the pro's. JMO...
No Kidding !! The configuration and design of the X pipe is what I was referring to . I have X pipes on six cars now and they work great .. ( haven't raced any Nascar Dudes yet .. glad they stay on the track ) Cometized (Chip)
Hello Everett : We have bending equipment in the shop but it's for much smaller diameter tubings.. We cut the mandrel bend pieces and fit them together in the shape we want then weld them together along with the Straight Pieces .. Primitive but it works just fine. How's it going with your Comet ? Did you get your PS dialed in yet ? I'm putting one on my Daughters '72 Maverick now . Engine install is next .. then I'll hook it up and test it . Any pointers ?? Thanks Cometized (Chip)
Hi Chip! It makes a difference when you have pipe bending experience, regardless of the pipe/tube size. It like you go in someones home and they have done some rehab and conduit bending -- with very few exceptions -- it's easy to tell if an experienced electrician bent the tube --- or a rookie. Same goes for sweating copper pipe and most other things -- were experience usually shows. As far as the Borg setup; I will PM you on that one out of respect for the person who's thread on exhaust, I do not want to Jack.... I don't have much to convey on that and w/ your experience -- piece of cake...
It costs about $200 in materials to do a better job than the muffler shops hydraulic crimp bender will do.. and they cost you an easy $600 or more to do something that doesn't flow as well. I started with a little Lincoln Weldpak 100 wire feed machine using Flux core and then worked my way up the quality ladder from there. It's surprising what quality you can achieve when you turn the amperage down and use thinner wire. Just very slow going is all. Only real difference now is that my tools and skills have progressed to the point that I WANT people to lay on the ground just so I can gloat and be proud of my work. The early wire fed exhaust performance results were similar to nowadays.. but I didn't want anyone to really look at my crappy welds back then. lol Tools needed to get started.. Wire feed Welder Chop saw helps immensely but Sawzall works too Rat tail file Wire brush Slag chipping hammer Measuring tape
