Titanium for turbo manifolds?
#2
Rotary Enthusiast
If your intention is to be able to make a lighter manifold, have better heat retention and at the same time say you used and "exotic" material I would suggest going with Inconel piping. This material will allow you to make very thin, ultra strong manifolds, will retain heat better and can take about 1000degress or more on top of what stainless can take without deteriorating over time. Turbine blades are made of this, as well as F1 car headers and there is a reason for that.
Good luck!
Chris
Last edited by ChrisRX8PR; 11-11-08 at 08:28 AM.
#4
Thanks for the info on inconel. My next question, know anyone who makes top quality inconel manifolds? I'm not concerned with the price. Quality welds and design are what I'm most interested in. Anyone using inconel after the manifold for exhaust? Also interested in having it polished to a mirror-like finish. I want to supply 2 turbos, each with their own wastegate and make it fit in a 3rd gen engine bay. V-bands for every connection.
#5
Rotary Enthusiast
Thanks for the info on Inconel. My next question, know anyone who makes top quality inconel manifolds? I'm not concerned with the price. Quality welds and design are what I'm most interested in. Anyone using inconel after the manifold for exhaust? Also interested in having it polished to a mirror-like finish. I want to supply 2 turbos, each with their own wastegate and make it fit in a 3rd gen engine bay. V-bands for every connection.
Inconel doesn't really polish very well, its extremely hard to do, it is so hard it is like a ceramic almost, its a functional, engineered material, if you want to polish it to a mirror finish just go with stainless. However, it is definitely the better material for exhaust manifold/headers. As for welding of Inconel, any tig welder with enough experience can do it, just takes the right amps and the right filler rod(you can buy Inconel). If you want more info on inconel go to the burns stainless website. They sell the stuff there.
Good luck.
Chris
Last edited by ChrisRX8PR; 11-12-08 at 09:00 AM.
#6
Just in time to die
iTrader: (1)
Last I priced inconel it was roughly $700-900 just for the bends needed for primary runners on a standard 13b manifold. That was years ago though so who knows what it is now. Cut a bend wrong and your out $100's and they need to be cut/fitted perfect. You would be best suited making a dummy up first then making the Inconel unit. It isn't magical to weld just doesn't look as pretty as stainless.
Last edited by Zero R; 11-13-08 at 10:07 AM.