Stainless or mild steel for headers...
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FormerVendor
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From: Albany, New York
Stainless or mild steel for headers... Building a 62' Nova Pro Touring car that is going to be powered by a Twin Turbo LS1 engine. I am going to fabricate my headers from scratch as the turbos are going to be mounted up on top and towards the nose of the car. I originally planned to fabricate the headers with 321 1 3/4" stainless steel tubing, however after talking to a few turbo people, it sounds like they have been getting away with mild steel! I still think they should be some level of SS and maybe use 304 instead. Anyone who has priced up the 321 knows its stupid money. I figure I will have close to $ 1800 in material using 321 from Burns Stainless and buying there 4 into 1 merge collector. Really not a major problem but if I don't need it then I'd rather use something else. I would like to hear from any of you guys that have got away with mild steel or at least 304 ss for there headers. How they holding up!
Well, i sucked it up and went 321 w/ merge collectors.
I really didn't wanna do it more than once
plus, you can't beat the nice golden color of a nice set of stainless headers
I really didn't wanna do it more than once
plus, you can't beat the nice golden color of a nice set of stainless headers
Thread Starter
FormerVendor
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
From: Albany, New York
Harlan,
I couldn't agree more about the look!
This is going to be a $40K plus car project as it is, and I'm not trying to nickel and dime it, but I just don't want to WASTE money if not needed!
This new revolation came after talking to a FEW guys that have had no problems what so ever with there mild steel headers.
I am currently working on a "mock up" set out of mild for basic design. By the way, thanks for the tips on the fabrication. Especially the one with the wire tie for cutting the radius's!
HT
I couldn't agree more about the look!
This is going to be a $40K plus car project as it is, and I'm not trying to nickel and dime it, but I just don't want to WASTE money if not needed!
This new revolation came after talking to a FEW guys that have had no problems what so ever with there mild steel headers.
I am currently working on a "mock up" set out of mild for basic design. By the way, thanks for the tips on the fabrication. Especially the one with the wire tie for cutting the radius's!
HT
I used 321 and merge collectors on the headers for my latest setup, and 304 for the Y pipe and downpipe.
My last setup was a SBC with a turbo and I used mild steel coated by Jet Hot. The coating blew off most of the headers, and the first 6 inches of my down pipe within a year. Now they're covered in surface rust.
Now I did it just as much for the look as for hauling ***, so I spent the $$ and used the stainless. If I was building a late model where you cant see the pipes, I'd use the carbon steel to save $$$
My last setup was a SBC with a turbo and I used mild steel coated by Jet Hot. The coating blew off most of the headers, and the first 6 inches of my down pipe within a year. Now they're covered in surface rust.
Now I did it just as much for the look as for hauling ***, so I spent the $$ and used the stainless. If I was building a late model where you cant see the pipes, I'd use the carbon steel to save $$$
