is there any down falls to having an aluminum down pipe?? or in my case im jumping on the band wagon and having a hood exit exhaust so in that case an up pipe??

 

Since its only drag and I doubt you are taking the setup on the street i think it should hold up just fine Jay.

 

I would stick to Stainless Steel for the down pipe. Temperatures way to high for Aluminum.

 

Understandable but he is not the first one to do this, a few people have with good results. Since the car will only be running for 30-60 seconds at a time it should hold up with the EGT's it will see.

 

You could do it with aluminum.. sure, but how much weight are you actually going to save on just an 'up-pipe'? I know every bit counts though.

 

Stainless!!!

 

SS.

 

+1 on this

 

I had an aluminum downpipe with aluminum exhaust and it worked great until I removed the exhaust. The downpipe started to bend up because it had nothing to support the back of it. Even with braces it started to crush. I just went with stainless after that.

 

Not really looking 2 save weight i just have the naterial and vband already so i was just wondering if itll work b4 i order all the ss ****

 

4" aluminum side exit here. Had it for almost 3 seasons and never had any problems

 

Just don't heat wrap it and you'll be good with AL.

How's the new setup coming along?

 

It should be fine. I know people with full exhaust that's aluminum and they DD the cars

 

Its coming along just waiting on a few things then its off 2 NRG

 

aluminum is fine, save some weight and money in your case

 

yea i'm gonna go with the aluminum seeing i have everything already thanks

 

I've read something somewhere about a steel DP being better since it helps to retain the heat in the exhaust side of the turbo.

Now, why and where this was I'm not sure lol

 

I use al dp when I can to save weight. As long as pressure does not build up after the turbo there is no harm in using an al dp.

WARNING!!!!!! Aluminum melts around 1140 degrees.

Aluminum does melt at much lower temps than steel so in some cases you will need to add a length of steel pipe right after the turbo to give the exhaust gas a chance to cool down. Also they like to melt in the bends so take extras and a welder with you to the track.

I also would coat them.

 

What does it matter if it retains heat or not? It's going straight out the hood anyways. lol

What's the up-pipe length.... < 2ft or so. I can't see it being a pro or con unless you start talking about fatigue.

 

Your right on that point.

If you are running gas and not methanol there is no way to keep from melting the pipe with it being that close to the turbo. A short piece of thin wall stainless should be fine if the exhaust is going out of the hood.

 

Wouldn't this speed up failure ?

 

If you dont coat the inside of the pipe yes.

 

Steel...

 

It was a thermal efficiency thing, I won't name names as to where I THINK I read it but the source was legit. But beyond that who knows, stainless here haha Weight over the front axle is fine with me!

 

I'd be interested to see that info if you do find it. I've taken several classes on thermodynamics and how it affects air, steam and water. Dan's also right. If you coat it you need to do the inside and out. You can't do ANYTHING to trap heat in the pipe.

That's the way I understand it. I'm no expert though.