Turbo Header Fabrication
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From: brunswick, ohio
Turbo Header Fabrication I Would like to see a informative post on header fabrication for the LS1. Material to use?Gauge? Does equal length matter? Diameter of tubing, Looked at a lot of turbo headers and don't see any consistant, Just hook um all together and run um thru the turbo!! THANKS 
i have been in process of writing a article of header design for our FAQ, it should answer alot of questions on what will fit peoples needs or answer newbs questions, hope to have it done the first week of january.
McMaster.com sells 1 1/2" pipe which is actually 1 7/8 O.D. Stainless in schedule 10. (aprox .100 thick) way cheaper than using actual tube. Its all mandrel bent and wont crack as easy as tube either, especially supporting a heavy turbo. My headers I made in my link, I Think I have less than $100 in everything stainless....all of it.
3" pipe has actual O.D. of about 3 1/2" I used on downpipe
2" pipe has OD of 2 1/2 so it all works out perfect and like a million dollars cheaper than tubing. I dont remember what a tube elbow costs but its up there. A pipe elbow I used on my headers were roughly $5 a peice, even the large 3" ones were only a couple bucks more.
3" pipe has actual O.D. of about 3 1/2" I used on downpipe
2" pipe has OD of 2 1/2 so it all works out perfect and like a million dollars cheaper than tubing. I dont remember what a tube elbow costs but its up there. A pipe elbow I used on my headers were roughly $5 a peice, even the large 3" ones were only a couple bucks more.
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Originally Posted by pwrtrip75
McMaster.com sells 1 1/2" pipe which is actually 1 7/8 O.D. Stainless in schedule 10. (aprox .100 thick) way cheaper than using actual tube. Its all mandrel bent and wont crack as easy as tube either, especially supporting a heavy turbo. My headers I made in my link, I Think I have less than $100 in everything stainless....all of it.
3" pipe has actual O.D. of about 3 1/2" I used on downpipe
2" pipe has OD of 2 1/2 so it all works out perfect and like a million dollars cheaper than tubing. I dont remember what a tube elbow costs but its up there. A pipe elbow I used on my headers were roughly $5 a peice, even the large 3" ones were only a couple bucks more.
3" pipe has actual O.D. of about 3 1/2" I used on downpipe
2" pipe has OD of 2 1/2 so it all works out perfect and like a million dollars cheaper than tubing. I dont remember what a tube elbow costs but its up there. A pipe elbow I used on my headers were roughly $5 a peice, even the large 3" ones were only a couple bucks more.
That's pretty brilliant actually. Im a Mcmaster nut and would have never even looked at the pipe. They have some pretty steep prices on most of their metal. Curious what grade of SS is it? Did you get the vband clamps/flanges from McMaster? The whole system looks great!
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Verdad Gallardo a 2" 304L unpolished "tube" elbow costs $9.50 (polished is 20.23)
a 1 1/2 304L unpolished "pipe" elbow virtually the same dimensions (1.9 OD .109 thick) - $4.96
Yea tubing would add up fast $$$. and im not fond of the .065 wall. stainless + stress =crack
I made the collectors yes. All out of 304 V-bands i found on ebay.
All those elbows- 90s, 45s, tees, reducers... are on page 11 on mcmasters online catalog. Also a 45 cost more than a 90....odd. I just used 90s and cut them in half.
a 1 1/2 304L unpolished "pipe" elbow virtually the same dimensions (1.9 OD .109 thick) - $4.96
Yea tubing would add up fast $$$. and im not fond of the .065 wall. stainless + stress =crack
I made the collectors yes. All out of 304 V-bands i found on ebay.
All those elbows- 90s, 45s, tees, reducers... are on page 11 on mcmasters online catalog. Also a 45 cost more than a 90....odd. I just used 90s and cut them in half.
