Im doing custom 3" downpipe and exhaust and im trying to decide which company's to order the 180 U bends from, its either roadraceengineering $36 a section, jcwhitney (only has 2 7/8" ID u bend though..) 26.99 a section, or jegs. I need to know what gauge 3" mandrel bent piping to go with... jegs has a GREAT deal of 18.99 per bend, but the site says its 8 gauge, "Hooker/Dynomax Mandrel Bends Stainless J-Bends are created from quality 300 series stainless steel. These components will last longer in high temperature, high fatigue and corrosive applications with less weight." anyways, isnt 14 or 16 the ideal gauge to go with? help is greatly appreciated.... thanks. this is going on a prelude, yes i know of the vrs 3" exhaust buy, but i cant wait 3 weeks for it. let me know guys...


[Modified by GudeH23a, 10:31 PM 7/21/2002]

 

Yes, I would like to know as well...

 

Ok i found some good stuff on summitracing.com

16 gauge, 3 in. diameter, 6 in. radius, (2) 6 in. length legs, mild steel, mandrel bent, 180 degree U-bend ...
$30.69 a section...

Once again, 14, 16, or 18 gauge?

 

ttt

 

isn't 16 gauge thinner than 8?

 

He probably meany 18 ga. 8 ga would be mosterously thick for exhaust piping.

-Dustin

 

jegs said, and i quote, "8 gauge" yes, thats wayyyyyyyy too big so i figured it was a typo on the site. anyways, i guess ill call up my shop tomorrow and find out what gauge is ideal since no one really posted up an answer. thanks for those of you that did help out

 

I assume the 8 gauge was a typo as it's thick!
I think 14 gauge is .078" wall thickness
16 gauge is .065"
18 gauge ... not sure, but less than .065... probably .04x"
I think 16 gauge is plenty thick for an exhaust. I have a 3" Thermal on my GS-R and considered using it as a template and making a 3" custom stainless steel for my Civic (if I ever do the swap). I've found a place locally that has about (150) 75" drops of 3" x .065 wall polished stainless for $2 / foot. They also sell mandrel bent 90 degree stainless elbows for under $15 each. Compare these prices to Burns Stainless (online) and it's cheap!!! Not too long ago I paid something like $14.40 per foot for 3" x .065" straight tubing from them! Ouch!

For the record the Thermal 3" SS appears to be slightly thinner walled tubing than the 3" x .065" wall SS (16 gauge) that I recenly bought. I assume it's 18 gauge and that should be sufficient.

 

Any of them will be sufficient for exhaust, if you are making a downpipe, go with 12 or 14 guage.

 

thanks for all the info guys, i think im gonna wait for that 3" prelude exhaust group buy and just make my own custom dp