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I started building my own exhaust as I mentioned in my other thread (acquiring my 2nd ISF), I work two jobs so finding time is nearly impossible, averaging 12-14 hours/day between the two. Anyways I started with the axleback section because it is the easiest.
I did run out of time tonight but I got majority of it done and I will be revisiting it later! I rushed alot of the welding (autogenous, and some filthy big gaps w/ 1/16" rod) because I was impatient and I couldnt align the exits directly through the quad stacks nicely. Gets fairly warm under there as my hand can attest too after the drive home.
I made the axleback section from 3" piping from Treadstone performance 304SS, I believe it to be .049 to .065 wall thickness based on welding amperage. It also looks way more elaborate than it needs to be (didn't have time to use hangers at the rear of the mufflers so the midpipe ones had to do, welded some tabs and used poly hangers and it doesnt rattle at all!!) I used ALOT of my scraps and pie pieces from other projects.
Looking good. Are you only custom frabricating a axel back exhaust or the full catback?
I will eventually be doing the entire catback, free time pending!
Originally Posted by LukeRich
Good choice of 304.
316 always tricks ppl..more $$$$ must be better.
Yea definitely, even the 304 downpipes Ive down for high horsepower cars (600+) have zero issues. Although I have done some 321 SS stuff, customer requested obviously.
Originally Posted by cremaster
looks good. any reason you went with 3 inches instead 2.5?
I had the most scrap in 3" piping otherwise I would have totally done 2.5"
316 has moly, which will deal with salty roads far better than 304 at the temperatures auto exhausts operate in. Want a tip that needs minimal polishing?
^ You are right but also not in depth. 316 certainly does have better corrosion resistance properties, better than martensitic stainless steels such as 400 grades which are usually higher in chromium (affecting hardness at low operating temperatures) and is used in the factory ISF exhaust (probably 409 SS). Molybdenum usually affects the hardenability! Nickel is the element you are looking for when talking corrosion resistance, 304 is almost never said in industry. We refer to 304 stainless as 18/8 or 316 as 18/10 - 18% chromium 8%/10% nickel. If we speak in ASME or similar codes while welding stainless piping we pay extra attention to B31.3 - Severe Service, where weld quality and certification is scrutinized heavily, especially since nickel content can be lowered via welding.
07-30-15, 10:41 PM
Started building my own exhaust!
