MOHFpro90

iTrader: (11)

Well, since I really cant search, because I just joined, and I read somewhere I had to donate, I figured I would post. First off, dont make fun of me guys, Im new to the max world, and Ive learned a lot in the past 3 months of surfing the board, reading the FAQs and people posts.

So anyway, I am pretty low on cash, and I was wondering if I could make my own cat back exhausts/ intakes, etc... Now, I dont have access or own a mandrel bender, so I would plan on welding straight and premandrel bent tubes together to get a similar effect. I talked to some other guys on a forum of mine, and they said to make sure I use high quality stainless steel(I live in FL, lots of humidity, rain, etc...).

So my main question is, can I replicate (for example) a magnaflow cat back exhaust by fabricating my own B pipe, up to the muffler, buying a magnaflow muffler and tip, and get the same or similar increases in performance? The same goes if I were to attempt making an Injen style CAI.

Has anyone ever done anything like this? I know I have seen people make CAIs out of plastic tubing, but I havent seen any custom metal ones.

Remember, I cant use the search tool...would'ave but I cant.

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

MOHFpro90

iTrader: (11)

Well my point is,(this was brought up in another forum) is that I dont have the money for a prefab mandrel bent exhaust at like $500, but I think I have enough for a custom fab exhaust.

VGsidestepper

yeah you will see the same gains aslong as the piping size is the same...

Props to you for doing stuff you're self and getting you're hands dirty unlike all these other beotches on here.

4x4Max

iTrader: (12)

For a cheap and effective intake, get a cone filter, and a maf adapter, and attach it to the MAF.

For exhaust, take your stock catback off and use it as a tempelate for your new system. Buy some of those flexible tubes so make some of the bends easy. I replaced my muffler with a Dynomax SuperTurbo, and i used a flexible metal tube to attach it to the b pipe, since i unscrewed my stock muffler. Honestly, i wouldn't do a full custom catback because it probably won't really be worth it, but a muffler is easy and sounds good.

MDeezy

iTrader: (27)

a Y-pipe isnt a very complex piece, Straight pipe with proper madrel bents and o2 bung welded in, and flanges to conect to the cat, and headers.

You could make it if you have the metals around, but Ypipes are pretty inexpensive (even more so if you buy one off an org member), you would spend a good deal of time just to save a little bit.

Intakes could be easily made on your own, just study various intakes, find the setup you'd like, and find pieces to make it. Intake couplers are about $3 at local auto stores. 3" metal tubing should be dirt cheap, and a dremel, and creativity can get you a decent intake setup.

MOHFpro90

iTrader: (11)

Alrighty guys, thanks for you help. I have another W though. Any clue what grade of stainless steel companies like stillen/magnaflow use? Im trying to get some figures($) on the same type fo stuff to make an exhaust.

MaximaSE96

iTrader: (8)

a cheap cat-back is onyl gonna cost u more in the long road when u have to replace in a year...save up and but a nice stainless unit like cattman or Greddy and have it last...keep ur stock intake...unless ur doing the welding or know someone a custom fab stainless exhaust wont be much cheaper than a pre-fab Greddy or Cattman

MOHFpro90

iTrader: (11)

I dont plan on buying a cheap cat back, I plan on making one.

I would be doing the welding on the intake...

I am trying to figure out how much it would cost to make a nice catback exhaust, but really need to know the grade of steel used.

Nealoc187

iTrader: (23)

Sure you can have custom exhaust done, but to fab and TIG a full stainless exhaust is going to be quite a bit of work, and full stainless mandrel bends and piping are not going to be cheap. I'd venture to say you'd spend almost as much on a full stainless custom exhaust as you would on a prebuilt one.

MOHFpro90

iTrader: (11)

Alright, thanks for your input. I am still looking for the grade of steel that most cat backs use...anyone know? Thanks!

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

Do you have a welder? Or a welder setup for stainless? I've made my own CAI intake and have welded up various pieces to my exhaust. (because the exhaust shop kept screwing up). But I used aluminized steel and a mig.

Then again, if you are asking and don't even know what materials are being used, I think you might be 10x better off buying used from someone here vs trying to make them on your own.

MOHFpro90

iTrader: (11)

I know it is stainless steel, but what grade? I mean, there are 150+ grades of SS. (heres a link to some of them: http://www.alleghenyludlum.com/pages...s/products.asp) I am sure that most of the cat backs out there use the same or similar grade, but I have yet to find a company to say which grade they used.

Yes, I have access to a welder.

mindlessoath

iTrader: (1)

i dont forsee a b-pipe taking a long time at all. well as long as you have a mendrel bending machine. i have seen custom setups done and installed in less than an hour.

the stock muffler is good enough as long as its not broken or rusted, the muffler will only change the sound, and the stock one is great for sounding quiet.

y-pipe on the otherhand will take a long while to do, just spend the 200$ give or take and buy it.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

Yeah the last time I priced one, it was only a few hundred thou

MOHFpro90

iTrader: (11)

True, haha. Although I do have a friend who used to work at a shop with a mandrel bender...I honestly think I could pay for an hour or so of use, and with a bit of help from one of the guys there...on a not so busy day for them, I think I could take advantage of that.

MaximaSE96

iTrader: (8)

Greddy is 304 stainless

MOHFpro90

iTrader: (11)

Thanks man thats the info I was looking for! Thanks again!

I will keep you all updated on this, my process, the costs, etc...

Cdg2125

iTrader: (7)

I guess I understand wanting to make your own since the cash. I know that feeling since Im straped on cash as well. But I honestly cant understand not trying to save some cash to buy a decent exhaust in a little while. Making your own is going to be worse off then buying the cheapest one now. I guess it's your time and sweat but my opinion is that its not worth either of those.