Autobahn S/S Manifolds
- Thread starter stuart
- Start date
Aidan@EP-styling
Trader
im going to buy one of these of dave in the next few weeks.
i think if the decat is braced it should be fine
i think if the decat is braced it should be fine
starbogt
Member +
not even checked my decat. Is it normally flange to flange bracing on the decat? as for all the bracing it also comes down to more than this as the engine mounts move and also need to make sure the exhaust has a flexi joint in it too. But the main reason I hear that stainless cracks is due to the heating and cooling processes it goes through if its not been made to a high standard.
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riko666
Member +
I don't think that's really a factor as the molecular structure of metals like steel are only really affected when cooled QUICKLY from a high temperature...I'd recite my uni notes but can't be bothered as it means I've actually learned something and refuse to accept that
But pretty much, it takes quenching for the metal to become brittle to the point of cracking, stainless steel will lose heat quicker than mild steel for example, but not to the point of having it crack. Not for a long while at least
Toby@ToyTuning.com
Banned - DO NOT BUY FROM TOYTUNING
Heat wrapping can be dodgy on s/s as it creates heat spots as it's hard to get a even flow across the manifold. I would say ceramic coat but it will cost more than the manifold.
Stainless 304 is prone to carbide precipitation when at high temps so it's not ideal, 321 would be a more suitable choice. Wall thickness is also very important. Personally with all the cheap s/s manifolds we've had countless problems hence we made a mild steel version which is soon to be released once we have some figures. We will wait and see how these AB88 manifolds turn out before we buy before trying..
T
Stainless 304 is prone to carbide precipitation when at high temps so it's not ideal, 321 would be a more suitable choice. Wall thickness is also very important. Personally with all the cheap s/s manifolds we've had countless problems hence we made a mild steel version which is soon to be released once we have some figures. We will wait and see how these AB88 manifolds turn out before we buy before trying..
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riko666
Member +
Bingo
Most SS manifolds are just lots of little bends welded together, so the metal itself isn't really stressed in the process - those that use complicated bends will most probably be mandrel bent, which again, doesn't really stress the metal much.
The main cause of failure of the SS manifolds is the fact that the Stainless Steel used is of a thin gauge, and possibly thermal fluctations as Duncan mentioned, if water touches the manifold or if they're rapidly cooled somehow
Toby@ToyTuning.com
Banned - DO NOT BUY FROM TOYTUNING
What would you say Rory min of 321 that's what I was always taught back in the day and that's what our new one is made from.. I don't pretend to be an exhaust fabricator as it's an art in it's own but I can't see any cheaply produced s/s manifolds lasting in 304.. Well the ones I bought years ago didn;t!
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Aga
Member +
since you know which metal is good and which is not, why make mild steel manifolds, which are vastly inferior even to the 304, but their only saving grace is their wall thickness. why not choose to produce a quality item, built by 321, rather than impress the crowds with low prices on manifolds that deteriorate internally from the heat, sending death particles into their turbos?
Dane_Bristol
Member +
So 321 Manifold quality would be more desireable that mild steel ? I am sure it is not cheap to be made but would be a real sucess if done i would of thought. Most people dont really understand the diffferences so its quite hard to comprehend if you arnt in the business and are a newbie to it all.
Of course ance explained it does make sense to go 321.
Of course ance explained it does make sense to go 321.
starbogt
Member +
Cheers Mate where are you based? but does the guy weld in stainless I know plenty of welders but none which do stainless!