Most common sizes are 1/16" and 1/8" thick.

Both are pretty easy to cut. 1/8" is obviously harder to bend, but it's not that bad.

As far as how to fab custom piping, that requires the ability to weld.

 

well RB sells the flanges for the end of the pipe and ive done a little welding before.... its just how i would bend the 3" pipe to get all the curves right... and how to get the pieces bent correctly without just looking at where they should go and eyeballing it. has anyone out there made there own intake or exhaust piping??? only the exhaust piping should need to have any welding done

 

You buy curves already done and cut them up. If you had a 90 degree curve and needed a 45 you cut it in half, 30 degree would be in thirds, etc.

Then you well it all together.

A single piece style would require mandrel bending.

 

preferably id like a few single mandrel bent pieces.... just that i dont know where to go, as well as how to instruct them to construct the pieces.... ive never had to make my own pipes before so this is a first for me........... also as far as the intake pipes go i would like the least pressure drop so design factors in heavily, however i know nothing of how to maximize air flow in an intake system

by the way... what diameter pipe is normally used for aftermarket intake piping? my options are to get and modify the greddy elbow to fit the TB, or modify the stock elbow but it looks a bit restrictive to me.......

 

Amount of time put into it won't be worth the gains, trust me.

But something more important. If you're getting intake piping it's going to be aluminum or stainless steel - guaranteed. You really need more advanced welding experience to weld those as (I've always been under the impression) they both require TIG welding.

 

this may be a question better suited for the west forum, but ill throw it out there anyway.... does anyone know a fab shop in norcal, that would be able to design and bend an intake piping w/ the lowest pressure drop possible? i think maybe its time to start calling around to performance shops in my area

 

Remember, you can mock it up with cut pipes and duct tape. Then make alignment marks with a scribe/permanent marker to make sure it is welded together as one piece just like you had it mocked up.

The welds are not going to cause a significant pressure drop. The accuracy of the cuts and cut pieces chosen will have the most effect on smooth airflow.

 

thats what i mean...i dont know how to best design efficiant piping... i guess if i cant find a local shop to do it, i will have to use trial and error

 

I wouldn't worry so much about your piping. Avoid bends and keep the runs as short as possible, and you'll be just fine.

 

thanks everyone! after a pat on the back from the forum i feel re-energized and ready to start tackeling this project