Mandrel Bent DP vs. Custom Non-Mandrel Bent DP
 

I was talking to a guy that bends exhaust for a living, and we were talking about the downpipe and midpipe for my car. He asked me a few questions about it...one being is it mandrel bent. I told him it was, and then we got into a discusssion about what the performance of mine, and one that isn't mandrel bent. I know the DP is supposed to add up to 20 HP, but what about one that is custom bent, but not mandrel bent? Any ideas. I know Mandrel is smoother on the inside, due to pushing a rod through it while bending it. Anyone have any idea about the gain of non mandrel bent. Just a question.

The problem with non mandrel bent pipes is the diameter gets smaller where the bend is. I don't think you will lose much hp in a down pipe because the bends are small. Most people making their own IC or down pipes buy mandrel bent u-bends cut them up and weld the pieces together to get the disired shape.

I just wondered. I knew that non mandrel bent was smaller at the bends....but I don't see it effecting the outcome that much. It's better than the stock setup with all of the restriction for sure.

Todd

It's the principle of the idea that matters here. Why cheap out on a non-mandrel bent DP or whatever when the price difference probably isn't *that* much. I mean, if you're gonna start cheaping out on that stuff, next thing you know you'll be getting all of the knockoff parts that you can, and you'll be wondering why you can't put down 300hp to the wheels.

I'm not advocating that you or anyone spend money just to spend it, but just look at the things you're doing, and decide if it would be better if you would just suck it up and pay a little more for the superior quality parts.

Patrick

I agree anyone who is fabricating high performance parts should be using mandrel bend stuff. If the builder is cheaping out on the bends, chances are the piping is cheap to. Rotary put out alot more heat than piston engines and the metal needs to be high quality.

I know...I never said I wanted them...we were just talking about them. I already have the Pettit DP and MP.