Hey all,

I'm curious what your opinions are in mandrel bent vs non mandrel bent systems. I am looking at doing a fully custom dual 2.5in non mandrel bent system soon and was wondering if it would be better for me to fork out the hundreds of dollars more for a dual 2.5in mandrel set up. Keep in mind I am a broke @$$ college student who is trying to build a mild performance car while paying tuition

thanks,
~JAKE

 

i run a non mandrel 2.5" true dual exhaust.. it is a bit restrictive but it still works for me.. should be fine for what you want to do.. i can gain over 2mph going to open headers.. i have time slips that average 117mph open headers and went 115mph with the exhaust back on..

 

If you are spending money on it, might as well get a mandrel bent system. I myself wouldn't even consider a non mandrel bent system. Then again, I only use stainless weld els and straight sections to build my own.

 

A single 3" aftermarket mandrel bend cat-back that you can bolt on yourself would handle anything your 600 CFM carb can throw at it. That makes more sense $'s- and performance-wise than any other choice in your case.

 

I have a true-dual mandrel system, and it is NOT the cheap way to go, and is pretty much useless (unless you count the awesome sound!!!) for an engine with stock heads/cam/intake.

five7kid is totally corrrect, I suggest you look into a 3" single Hooker system. They are mandrel bent, work and sound great and are reasonably priced, and you can bolt it in on your driveway with hand tools. Trust me, I've tried a lot of systems, and bang-for-buck, these are as good as any.

TA

 

you can sometimes find these 3" catbacks for dirt cheap in our classifieds. if you really dont feel like spending a whole lot.

 

yeah i sold a completer exhaust system hooker headers, ypipe, and 3'' mandrel flowmaster catback system for 300 bucks a month or so ago..........

 

last month i get a brank new set of hooker 2055's, never been on a car, still had the shipping paint, carb certificate, y pipe, gaskets still in the original packing, for $250.00. Im still looking for the correct catback to blend it with but you can find the headers cheap if you look and be careful.
i still have to spend money coating them.
and make sure you decide what you want - read the posts on headers - then hunt that brand and model down. it took me a few weeks to find what i wanted at a price i liked.
just google and hunt - it works like a charm.
if you can get a set of borla catbacks they work well.

had to go out and find this but lots of people in here seem to like the Hooker 16823 for a good general purpose catback system too. its not the only one and people will all have different opinions but its a good sounding useable system. List at 318.00 at jeggs - http://www.jegs.com/i/Hooker/520/16823/10002/-1?CT=999 you can get them cheaper. i looked again and found them for 269.00 at http://www.performance-auto-parts.co...ack-system.php and i only spent 5 minutes. good luck.

but watch out if you google hooker 2055 or you will end up chatting with a prostitute at 2055 *** street in vegas.

NOW I HAVE A QUESTION?

why is mandrel bending better than non mandrel bending? and what is mandrel bending? i know what a mandrel is, and i know what bending is, but is it something special?

 

mandrel bent has no kinks at the bend, it more like stretching the pipe and not bending it, i looks better and flows a little better, but IMO its not worth it, i never had mandrel on anything i own and still get good gains with non mandrel bent, i think the only way mandrel bent may pay off is if you were draging for $$$$ then every 1/2 hp counts

 

thanks for the information.
and if anyone knows yesterday there was a new post about "you know your a camaro" owner if and then it listed about 35 of the funniest things i ever read. anyone know where that is?

 

not only does non-mandrel bending make more turbulence in your exhaust, but it also makes the pipe smaller in the bends, as you are just kinking the pipe.