I'm going to make a new turbo manifold for my car and was wondering what everyone is using for materials. What wall thickness are you using? What size piping? Are you using bracing? Are you using mild steel or stainless steel flanges?

Currently I'm looking at using 304SS .133" (Schedule 40) 2" piping with stainless steel flanges and a v-band turbine housing. I've thought about using 321SS but I can't seem to find anything near Schedule 40 thickness. Is it overkill?

Thanks for your input,
Aaron

 

Hello Aaron,

I have always used 304ss 2" Schedule 10 pipe with great success. 321SS can be prettier if welded right and more corrosion/temp resistant but by no means necessary, specially if it will be wrapped and tucked between a turbo and an engine. 304SS serves the purpose perfectly. I definitely think that whatever you do you should use Schedule 10 (.109" wall) instead of 40 because 40 is thick, heavy and completely unnecessarily.

I also sometimes prefer Mild Steel Flanges because they warp less when welding but if you can make it happen with Stainless then do it.

You can source schedule 10 304ss 2" pipe at McMasterCarr:

McMaster-Carr
McMaster-Carr


90 Deg Elbow: Item# 45735K216 $ 9.17
Tee: Item# 45735K256 $20.89
Straight: Item# 4347K361 $24.40(ft)


Good Luck!

Chris