Tube Bends from?

ItBites · #1 (**permalink**) 01-10-2007, 03:59 PM

All y'all,

I am trying to build new sidepipes and cannot find where to get the 90 degree bends that meke the exit through the body.

I can find plenty of U and J bends, but I can only find the 90 degree bends in one radius and I need two different radii in order to make the swept body exit.

Here's what I need:
2-1/4" Mild Steel Tubing in 16 or 18 Ga. 90 degree bends in both 4" and 6" radii. Leg length is not critical, maybe >6". I could also use 3" and 5" bends if 4" and 6" are just not available.

Plese help if you know a source, Thanks.

BTW, I know 2.25 seem large, but I'm pushing 540 ci, so they are not too large for my application...

Terry Stapley · #2 (**permalink**) 01-10-2007, 04:16 PM

I do not remember what sizes they have but I got my 90* bends from :
Specialty Products Design Inc

www.spdexhaust.com

They have the correct radii bends to make sidepipes!

ItBites · #3 (**permalink**) 01-10-2007, 04:32 PM

Thanks Terry, you're a lifesaver.

I just placed my order with SPD. Nice folks.

Terry Stapley · #4 (**permalink**) 01-10-2007, 04:36 PM

After I ordered my bends I received them in about 3 days!! Great Service!!
No Rust at all!!

imagine2frolic · #5 (**permalink**) 01-12-2007, 08:27 AM

Just about any muffler shop has, or can get them for you.

ItBites · #6 (**permalink**) 01-12-2007, 09:24 AM

Imagine: Not true. Very few shops have two size mandrel dies. I have called and most shops do not even do mandrel bends, they do the bends that shrink the inside of the tubing which is unacceptable. Further, I checked with Headers by Ed, Stahl, Hooker, Dynatech, Hedman, Hustler, Burns Stainless, Tubing Specialties, and the local hi-perf exhaust shops like Pro-Dyno. Also checked with a couple Cobra manufacturers, but they just buy finished sidepipes and install. No-one but SPD has been able to supply 90 degree mandrel bends from the two die sizes I need. It is not as easy as putting a bent system under your daily driver.

imagine2frolic · #7 (**permalink**) 01-12-2007, 09:56 AM

ItBites, Not many of us shops have a mandrel bender, but in my last shop in Ca. I kept mandrel bends on hand. We get them from our distributors. Ocassionally I would get some one with a project, and I would try to help as much as I could. The distributor has multiple degree bends, and many different sizes. You can also probably find them from manufacturers direct, Flowmaster, Imco, and the list can go on forever. A simple call to your local independent muffler shop might get your hands on what you want before you pay, and ship an item. As far as installing bent systems. I have fabricated systems for Tucker, Chrysler Ghia, Ca. Spyder Ferarri, Healy, Jag, MBZ, and Rolls was an every week job. Once having a shop in S.F Ca. there wasn't much I haven't seen. Good luck in your search.

imagine2frolic · #8 (**permalink**) 01-12-2007, 10:10 AM

ItBites, I am putting my effort where my mouth is. I just called 2 different manufacturers, and there are different radius, and degree of bends. Not one company makes it all, but we shops usually buy from several different distributors, and have access to anyone. I have been out of the business for 4 years, and just returned to work. As in any business in 4 years things can change a whole lot.You should be able to find a local shop to do what I just did. It took MAYBE 5 minutes. Good luck

jwoodard · #9 (**permalink**) 01-12-2007, 11:44 AM

When I built my side pipes I was lucky to find a local Fabrication shop that does mandrel bending. Not many around. The mandrel bending machines are very expensive - like $45K.