Anyone make their own FMIC Piping...

[TurboBlue]

If i ever get a laon check from bank one im going to start making the piping for my FMIC. I'm going short route, right around the radiator and up over the tranny. I just want to know if anyone has ever done it and how difficult it really was. I was just going to get 4 2.5" U-bends from summit and then i'll 4 90's which i figure is enough. then some straight pipe and some silicone couplers. So if you've done this, let me know what im in for. Thanks

 

[gixrman]

I will be as soon as I get some time off. I bought 2.5" tubing kit off ebay for dirt cheap and a MIG welder, just need to get the bead machine.

 

[Kevin Jewer]

I just made a UICP for a 3.5" MAF, but its the setup you mention (Short route). Its very simple, especially if you have a TB elbow that is the right angle (points toward the IC outlet) maing it a straight shot to the IC. In my case its a 90* coupler, so it can be used at any angle.

http://www.posracing.net/bigmaf.html

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[jsigone]

2 90*
1 45*
2 "U"

That should be enough
From turbo to TB

turbo to "U" to "U" to FMIC to 90* to 45* to 90* to TB

 

[1fast97gsx]

it's very easy to do ... just make sure you have a welder and a way to easily cut the piping. Bead the ends of the pipes and pressurize the pipes before you install them to check for holes in the welds. I seriously found 5 pin holes in mine and fixing those made a HUGE difference.

 

[TurboBlue]

Yeah, the street rod shop has a bead roller, but i dont know if its small enough to do a 2.5" pipe. Was probably just going to TIG some beads on the end, but not quite sure yet...

 

[jsigone]

jus use a pair of vice grips and roll the edges out. Simple and free.

 

[1fast97gsx]

I just went around once really thin with the mig welder to make my beads. Then held it up to a bench grinder to smooth them out ... worked perfect.

 

[kpt4321]

I don't bead my pipes, and they hold 20 psi no problem.

When I start running 30+ psi, I'm going to need to bead them I think, but for now they are fine.

Clean them, rough them up with sandpaper, and then get it all nice and tight.

 

[Kevin Jewer]

I Didnt bead any of the pipes in my setup shown above. With the exhaust cones rated in ID, and the stiffness of those samco couplers, there was no possible way. First time out at 30 psi they started to come apart. Took it apart and sanded the ends down. Has held fine so far, even at the SO when the needle on the 35 psi boost guage was on the pin all day Some people do the sandpaper thing and use hairspray. I'm certainly not saying you shouldnt bead your pipes though, if your setup allows it by all means do it. But there are alternatives for strange circumstances.

 

[krisj144]

I did my own piping. Turned out quite well IMHO. I ended up using two 2.5" to 3" header collector transitions, one 180 degree 2.5", and one 180 degree 2.25". Buy the 180's and use the bends as needed, it saves a little money over buying a two 90's.

Unfortunately, these pictures are not current. The new intake routes into the fender from below the 'frame' and is far less visible.

Have fun with your project and take the time to make things extra nice and custom so there's no question that your pipes were made for your car specifically.