Mandrel vs press bends

[TimF]

What is the performance diffrence for Mandrel bends vs, press bent. I know mandrel is better. I talk to a few diffrent local shops today (since I got ripped im not buying online for a while) And NONE of them have mandrel bends or know anywere that does. So am i really losing allot of power by getting it pressed bent? A few shops have good deals at 140 with installation and everything (except tips) Also there aluminized not stainless (none of the shops in my area do stainless) I already have a 3in mandrel stainless Downpipe. I looked ebay already, and all there exhaust are not mandrel bent, at least for a good price.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Mandrel isnt common around here its a smoother bend versus a crush bend, better flow. Hard to find unless you get a pipe from a vendor, and perhaps make your own setup.

 

[compression]

Mandrel will retain the diameter through the bend, crush or press bend
won't. So a 3" pipe crush bent with have an actual id of about 2 1/4 ( at 90*, looking at the one at my house )

 

[LiquidX]

Brian basically summed it up with diameter changes. It's also cheaper and more common to find. ACE Stainless is a supporting vendor that supplies mandrel bends if you are interested in either making your own or having a friend or exhaust shop fab you one up to match up to your down pipe.

 

[99gst_racer]

Press bends partically crush the diameter of the bend, so you'll loose area inside the pipe. Mandrel bends will keep their diameter uniform in a bend and will subsequently be less restricted and will flow much better.

Examples:

 

[TimF]

I knew that about the way it bends, i was wondering the is it really going to effect HP that much. Is it worth the price?

 

[LiquidX]

The smaller diameter will only really matter when you are flowing enough exhaust that it becomes a restriction. Smoother bends/transitions will be a plus regardless, but depending on what your plans are (what are they?) it shouldn't bee too much of a concerns.

 

[targett27]

I'm not sure how much it affects performance, but I had my exhaut made with 3 1/2in. piping so that the bends taper down to about 3 in. in the smallest spots and I can't imagine it flowing much less that a mandrek bent 3in. pipe.

 

[99gst_racer]

I've helped a buddy install a Megan 3" mandrel bent cat-back on his 1G, and it was pretty decent. Definitely one of the better budget exhausts. He got it off eBay and it was pretty cheap too. I'd go that route before a press/crush bent system.

 

[TimF]

Im looking on ebay right now actually, they have 2.75in mandrels for about 150 with shipping, seems good to me, But then I still need a test pipe, and my downpipe is already 3in. My goal for my car is 400hp. Im just expecting that over time and not next week, so I want the parts I get now help me get there over time. I would love a megan, but I lost 200$ already, and dont want to throw down to much more on a system.

would there be a difference between 2.75 an 3 in?