making pipes

[not2bright]

how would you go about making an aluminum pipe?

 

[wswatzell]

That really depends on the tools you have available to you. One way would be to turn up some steel cones on a lathe that you can wrap the aluminum around & then weld the joints.

 

[not2bright]

how does prather irwin or mac go about making them?

 

[Preston_Hall]

The process is referred to as "spinning" aluminum. Basically you start with a flat sheet and spin it on a lathe over a mandrel. The aluminum must have a temper of zero I believe. If it is tempered, forget it. I tried it. Easier said than done. However if you have the proper tools and materials it isn't very difficult.

 

[wswatzell]

Irwan pipes are stampped out.

 

[Jimmy Whitbeck]

you need a small slip roll with the smalllest diam. rollers possable and the know how to lay out sheet metal. to be rolled then a good welder for the materil be it steel or alum. and the formulas for tryng differnt ideas based on size and rpm of the given motor. ect. and if using alum. for the materil it adivisable to us a alloy of 3003. as it work hardens. but is easly formed.

P.S. sorry for my bad spelling.

Jimmy

 

[Guest_Johnboy]

Several pipe manufacturers start with an aluminum tube which is correct for the max. diameter of the pipe. This is slipped over a steel mandrel that has the pipe shape and both are clamped in a spin lathe chuck. The operator then spins the metal down and checks the dimensions with prepared instruments. When everything is correct he will cut off the remaining tailing and cut the cone loose from the mandrel. Sliding the lathe tailstock outward allows removal of the cone.

Steel pipes are the easiest to make, common tools cut the shapes, roll to finish and weld, like a previous post.

Irwin, Equalizer, Silver Bullet, Cooper and other outboard pipes are stamped from soft aluminum sheet, trimmed, carefully aligned with the inlet and stinger and Heliarc welded. These designs utilize heavy steel dies in hydraulic presses to do the forming. The Garcia is the only outboard pipe that I have seen that is not stamped. Most car pipes are spun, a few are punch formed.

All tuned pipes have diffrent characteristics which affect the engine performance, there is not a "one pipe fits all". Cone lengths, mid sections, stinger I.D.and length, and pipe length all have influence on overall performance, with stinger I.D. the most critical in my opinion. Many seasoned racers have a basket full of pipes,

so if you wish to experiment, ask your pals before you buy.

Johnboy in Huntsville,

the inventor of the outboard tuned pipe

patent # 4,531,364 and Des. 278,326

 

[RaceCraftBearings]

Hello John, good to see you on here! Hope everything is going well for you!

Happy Holidays!

Ron

 

[Olly]

Great info but how is the black coating put on or is it just powder coating?

Olly