Building a Stainless Exhaust: Mandrel Bends, V-Bands and Tube Sizing
The Partsman
Fabricating your own exhaust is hugely satisfying - and gets you exactly the system you want. Here are the basics before you strike an arc.
Choosing stainless
304 stainless is the popular all-rounder - corrosion resistant and polishes up well. 409 is cheaper and used on many factory systems but will surface-rust. For most performance builds, 304 is the pick.
Mandrel bends matter
A mandrel bend keeps full diameter all the way through the curve, so flow isn't choked. Cheap crush bends neck down and cost you power - always use mandrel bends.
V-bands, flanges and bungs
V-band clamps make a leak-free, quick-release joint that is perfect for turbo and dump-pipe connections. Add flanges for the turbo/manifold and weld bungs for O2 and wideband sensors.
Picking tube diameter
Bigger isn't always better - oversize pipe can hurt low-end response. As a rough guide, mild N/A builds suit 2.5", bigger N/A and mild turbo 3", and high-power turbo 3.5"+. Match it to your power and use.
Browse exhaust tube, mandrel bends & V-bands or call The Partsman on 07 846 1923.
