I was looking into PTK hot parts and was thinking that if it is not too hard to plumb your own intercooling and intake then that would be a pretty good deal? Is it that difficult to have metal tubes bent and welded to fit your application... i know that it is pretty cheap too get the materials... What kind of metal/alloy is commonly used for FI applications?
any ideas and comments are welcomed
tony

 

You might want to plumb it up with PVC pipe from Home Depot, which would then give you a template for the metal pipe.

Although, and I'm sure people will spaz for me saying this, but PVC pipe will hold the pressure for any boost you want to make. It's rated at 150pis and I have seen it used to plumb air lines for a compressor system.
Temperature might be an issue of course...

Anyway, like I said...
Map it out with plastic, which is easy to cut and use, then use the result for a template.

 

I am actually considering using pvc to pipe up my front mount intercooler. Maybe just temporary, but if I do it, I will let everyone know how it works out.

 

I think using PVC isn't such a bad idea actually. It's cheap and easy enough to cut to try different things. You want to make sure you're using the right diameters, too.

I'd stay away from having anything custom welded if you don't need it. You can get standard size powdercoated metal tubes and rubber hose no problem, then it's just a matter of piecing it together. In most cases you can get away with using 90 degree and 45 degree bends to do the whole thing. In some vehicles it can be difficult though and custom metal tubes are required. It depends on how tight the space is and how good you want it to look, really.

Dave

 

buy the following:

MIG welder
chop saw.
grinder


mock up the pipes
cut the mandrel bends
tack them together
make sure it all fits
weld it
grind it
paint it.


comment to yourself, DAMN that looks nice... and it was cheap.
and now i can do this for extra money.
(make $50-$300 a weekend doing stupid little welding stuff for people until the welder turns a profit)

worked for me.... except i tried to do it with a hack saw, and then a sawzall.... then i wised up and got the chop saw.

now i have a sawzall and a chop saw.

 

Whats a chop saw

 

Thanks for all the responses guys... what do you mean by cut the mandral bends? I know that mandral bends is a way of bending metal so as not to weaken it at any spot where the bend is... but "cut" the mandral bends? PVC is a great idea and will serve as an excelent template. What kind of metal do you suggest for the tubing? wall thickness, etc... i really think this can be done and everyones support is motivating me!!
thanks guys,
Tony

 

its like a really big circular saw... except its mounted on a hinge.

you put what you want cut (in this case, tubing) in a vice below it, and it pivots on the hinge to cut... looks like this: http://images.google.com/images?q=ch...=Google+Search


TransAmTONY:
since i cant afford a mandrel bender, i just buy pre bent curves, and cut them the proper size. of course, the cuts have to be accurate and straight... thats why i had to buy the saw.

ive never done this before, ive just seen a few people do it in person, and ive read about this stuff alot... only recently have i had the opportunity to do it myself. im not done yet, but its fun.
ive been saving up for the past year to get the money just for the tools i need... but when im done, i still have the tools... once you get a welder, or even somthing as simple as a grinder or wire wheel, you wonder how you ever got along without it.

 

Ehh, kinda like a miter saw. I wonder if I could put a metal cutting blade on mine...

 

I used standard exhaust u-bends and piping. My cold side is actually a Hooker side pipe kit, 2-1/2" mandrel bent with nice tight radius. I cut it with a sawzall, just have to take your time and cut straight. You could even do it with a hacksaw, just time and labor intense!

I welded it up with a mig, then sent it out and got it powder coated. Looks and works just fine.

 

PVC can take the pressure of course, but NOT the heat. It's only good for about 120' F in a pressure situation. The stuff will get soft enough to bend by hand once it is heated beyond it's max working temp.
Years ago in my early 5.0 days, we used to make 77mm maf housings from PVC pipe. Until we saw how they would get soft from the underhood heat and then the couplers would slip off.
I used to use a good ol' sawzall for most of my steel cuts. I am installing a Big FMIC and that means all new piping needed. So I finally bought a nice 14" chop saw. Makes fast straight cuts in steel. I just use mandrel exhaust pipe bends and weld them up like most guys do.
Steve

 

I bought a Mig welder for this very purpose and a few other things too. I can already see it was a good purchase as I am finding many uses for it. Plus you learn a skill that not everyone has and can make you money.

I bought pre bent mandrel bends from summit which were 3". I had to buy 3 4" mandrel bends from a local truck store. I used a chop saw on the pressure side of the charger but I had to use the band saw at work to cut the more precise cuts for the intake side. Turned out pretty good and I get to say I did it myself A very good learning experience.

 

You know what would look pretty cool?
Copper pipe. You can directly transfer the patterns from plastic to metal, use ordinary sweat soldering, which is easy for ANYONE to do with a propane torch, and then polish it up real nice and clear powdercoat it.

The copper sure would shed any heat easily, although the powdercoat would dampen that a bit.

 

copper tubing huh? thats sounds like a good idea. Has anyone else tried this before? Copper is a bit more expensive than steel tubing isn't it?

 

I plan on plumbing my turbo setup myself. Any tips/hints and things of that sort would be much appreciated