shavenYak Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 I'd like to know if it's possible, or advisable to arc-weld pressed steel pipe to make headers? I've got access to these factory honda h22a exhaust manifolds through work for cheap: and was thinking I could just chop up a few sets and put together a few bends into something that could work for the suzuki. will I be wasting my time? Should I just buy pipe from somewhere, or save up some more and get someone else to make up some custom ones. cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePog Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 no problem as long as it is plain old steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Rex Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 Arc would be a pain in the ass on the thin tube Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemi Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 Arc would be a pain in the ass on the thin tube ditto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shavenYak Posted July 6, 2009 Author Share Posted July 6, 2009 Arc would be a pain in the ass on the thin tube how do you mean, hard to control and all splattery? It's just that it's all I have access to, would it be impossible to get a good result? And I don't mind having to grind it smooth, as long as it's a strong weld and not too much crap on the inside of the pipe I guess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Rex Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 I have never used arc on thin wall/low amps but it would most likely just blow holes and be a pain in the ass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spencer Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 just buy a box of mandrel bends and make some, tack them up then get someone to weld them mint Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eke_zetec_RWD Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 pretty much dnt touch with arc. and also start with bends ect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truenotch Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 Ditto here. May as well give it a try though... Just get some thin arc rods ~2mm or so and crank the amps right down. Just use the arc to tack everything into place and get someone with a mig or tig to touch it later on after you're happy with the shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shavenYak Posted July 6, 2009 Author Share Posted July 6, 2009 Ditto here. May as well give it a try though... Just get some thin arc rods ~2mm or so and crank the amps right down. Just use the arc to tack everything into place and get someone with a mig or tig to touch it later on after you're happy with the shape. yeah that's something i was thinking about doing - tacking together would be fine to do with arc right? Do I want to leave a gap between sections or put them flush against each other? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truenotch Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 May as well get them as close as possible to make it easier to mig / tig later on. It'll still be a challenge ... I used an arc for my first "exhaust" attempt for my AW11 when I was 15...... Blew holes, then had to fill them constantly. Might have helped if the welder didn't have a broken heat adjustor... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forced Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 Gas welding works best for exhaust pipe. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burntrubber Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 Without much experiance in stick welding you will find thin tubing very hard. By all means give it a go probably practace on some thicker flat material first though. Tube's a little harder than flat material to weld around. Mig is by far the easiest weather its the best is debatable but easiest it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegreatestben Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 May as well get them as close as possible to make it easier to mig / tig later on. It'll still be a challenge ... I used an arc for my first "exhaust" attempt for my AW11 when I was 15...... Blew holes, then had to fill them constantly. Might have helped if the welder didn't have a broken heat adjustor... Hahaha oh to be 15. Thats haggard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truenotch Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 Hahaha oh to be 15. Thats haggard , I've still got it somewhere if you need a muff for the 7A? Steps from 2" to 2.5 " to 3" with blobs of weld inside to create a venturi.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shavenYak Posted July 16, 2009 Author Share Posted July 16, 2009 Ok anyway I've got my pipes and am hopefully gonna start chopping them up this weekend. The suzuki is a 3 cyl 800cc beastie - and it will have this modified cam in it: Advertised duration @.004 lifter rise: 282 degrees Duration @ .050” lifter rise: 205 degrees Cam lift: .254” So my question is what kind of length should I aim for for each runner? I'm guessing there's some sort of formula or some such? Anything else should I keep in mind? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 depends on your style tri ys etc, 4 to 1 33 inches is recommended often, but you will sacrifice bottom end by going to that length, i would look at asking an alto fiend or searching key cars in japan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemi Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Gas welding works best for exhaust pipe. Steve agree , gas weld looks far better then mig on mild steel . if you can get away with fusion welding it then do it . but if yours just tacking then mig is good , arc sucks cos of the having to strike it first . arc is good for bigblock materials not thin walled pipe i reckon , and take far more skill to weld Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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