Mandrel bends for catback system?

**Dyoel182** · 2-13-04, 12:03

My local shop quoted me $50 for labor if I supplied the mandrel bends needed to connect straight pipe to. So if anyone has ordered mandrel bends from JC Whitney, what bends did you need just from the cat back?

SixSick6 · 2-13-04, 14:41

2 90's and 4 45's

Darion · 2-13-04, 16:39

Where do the 45s go?

Is that for total labor or 50 an hour for a few hours?

**HotRodMex** · 2-13-04, 17:03

I can't see a shop taking more than an hour to weld u[p some pipes and put them in. With a lift I'm sure I could do it in less time.

SixSick6 · 2-13-04, 18:13

Quote:

Originally posted by Darion
Where do the 45s go?

Is that for total labor or 50 an hour for a few hours?

up, over and down tha rear axle...take a look under your car

**anarchyx34** · 2-13-04, 18:33

The question I have is what bends are required for the downpipe. Looks to me like 1 45.

SixSick6 · 2-13-04, 19:15

by the time that you order all of the mandrel bends from JC Whitney..it'll be 3-90's $60 and 4 45's-$80 which all cost about $20 each, 3 inch flex pipe costs $65, a high flow cat costs $100? Muffler $100 for a good one..you're looking at close to $500-$600 without a shop to weld it all togther. The best option is to order one from darksideracing.org, $550 for a mild steel $600 for stainless, mandrel bent with flexpipe and choice of two different Megan racing mufflers..best option if you ask me. I'm ordering one in a week or two

**turbogt22** · 2-13-04, 21:24

That's if you go 3". if you go 2.5" you can pretty much cut those prices in half. (2.5" 90deg is $12). Either way you can still cut costs with ebay. If you buy your flexpipe on there you can usually find it for $20, $50 for a muffler or cat.

I'd consider Darkside racing if you're looking for a stainless system. Even then, I want to hear opinions before forking over $600 + s/h w/ no cat.

SixSick6 · 2-13-04, 21:47

prices INCLUDE shipping, not bad since JayB's system costed well over $750 with cat..WITHOUT shipping. They have pictures posted on performanceprobe.com and it looks well put together, genuine mandrel bends. The problem with having someone weld you a system is that if you go to an inexperienced welder, you might get seapage inside the piping causing turbulents. You always runs the risk of welds leaking as well. I wouldnt trust anyone to do it for $50 unless I was friends with them, that's like saying you'd do it for beer money

**Dyoel182** · 2-15-04, 14:28

Yeah he's a good friend that is a certified welder and just enjoys seeing all his buddies and helping them with car work. He's does some real clean work on my buddies GTI and another friends Cobra so I trust him with a simple catback job. After that will come installing my downpipe with a highflow cat but that can wait until the engine swap.

**turbogt22** · 2-15-04, 21:41

I'm sorry but, I wouldn't consider a person who welds exhausts together all day long as a profession inexperienced. And when they're done welding your exhaust together at a muffler shop you get a receipt with a warranty.

It's great that they're making products for the MX6/Probe but that doesn't mean they're the best choice for everyone (or that every other option is wrong).