Any tips on making my own pipes for front mount IC?

[92GSXman]

I bought an IC off of ebay and I want to mount it up to my 92 GSX this weekend. I also have some 2.50" mandrel bends and a 2g throttle body elbow and nomex couplers with clamps. A buddy of mine can weld very good so he'll be helping me with the piping. Has anyone done anything like this before? What's the best way to route the pipes to get the shortest distance? Do I go through the hole by the air filter like the factory pipe does or is there a shorter route? Any help will be very much appreciated. It's better to learn from those who have already done what you want to do sometimes.

 

[DSMJim]

I made my own pipes too. I cut them on my chop saw at home and fitted them. I went end to end so I didn't have to route around to the front of the car from the same side like Greddy does with the FMIC kit. The other pipe I went up through the stock hole only because I have a upper ic pipe already. Your other option is to go up before that point and go over the trans and do a 90deg into the throttle body. It saves a little distance but not much to speak of.

Once I had them fit I tack welded them at my place with my cheap-o mig and test fit them again to make sure everything was good then had them welded at a welding shop.

 

[92GSXman]

Where did you run the pipe that goes to the turbo? Did you relocate the overflow bottle & go through there? Lastly, how do you make 2.5" pipe neck down to the tiny pipe coming off of the turbo?

 

[Big Woo]

You could piece together something using "U & J" bends from places like Jegs, Summit, Burn's ect.

The biggest problem i have seem with homemade pipes is that most people don't take the time to have the ends beaded so that under boost, or due to engine movement the pipe couplers slip off the pipes.

 

[92GSXman]

Yeah, I have some mandrel bends from JC Whitney already. I just have to figure out which way I want to route my piping now. I also got some heavy duty nomex couplers and t-bolt clamps. I've spent a little money but I only want to do this once. I will get my buddy to weld some beads on the piping to prevent the ends from blowing off.