Is mandrel really better than a good crush bent exhaust?

[TOYO-GT-T]

Has anyone read this article?

Make an interesting point re mandrel vs crush bent exhaust systems?

http://autospeed.com.au/cms/article.html?&A=0535

In the past I have used crushed, mandrel and "off the shelf" aftermarket systems.

To be honest, I cant actually tell the difference between them, although they have all been on different cars.

I know the rule of thumb is mandrel flows 30% better, which means the additional spend on the better system is worth while. But,there is a big catch, it will only flow up to 30% better if its built correctly.

This is similar to the cold air intake argument, where the intake claims it will improve power output, but this will only be the case if its setup correctly.

There will be hundreds of people on her who will claim there pod filter and crush exhaust have made huge gains and in a turbo scenario increased boost - and I don't question this, as I have experienced it myself.

Interesting point on mandrel bent, i.e when you go to your exhaust shop are you actually paying for mandrel bent, or just a series of mandrel bends welded together to make a mandrel bent exhaust.

Anyone know of a good exhaust place in Wellington besides Speedtech and Total Performance, as they do charge quite a bit (arguably for a reason), but there must be cheaper alternatives.

[Shrike]

Pit stop in lower hutt did my downpipe and rebuilt most of my exhaust to get it to be as close to the chassis as possible if you want to come look at there work I have the exhaust out of the car it was in

Price wise I was very impressed and the work is top notch in my mind never had any problems was fast and easy

maidstone mufflers in upper hutt I have had one good expirence with the owner (think his name is ryan) but the younger guy Alan is a useless tool who has tantrams so at your own risk personally I boycott them these days and just go to pitstop

My next Exhaust I will be making myself as im buying a tig soon and no one makes 3.5" oval exhausts anywere in wellington

[Adoom]

Anyone know of a good exhaust place in Wellington besides Speedtech and Total Performance, as they do charge quite a bit (arguably for a reason), but there must be cheaper alternatives.

In case you didn't already know....
Ron had to close Total Performance some time ago because of his health. AFAIK he still does a little work from home, but not much.

[Dell'Orto]

+1 for Pit Stop in lower hutt, they're GC's. Glenn is the owner at Maidstone mufflers, they do some good work there too. Entirely dependant on who does the work though
As for mandrel bent exhaust...I cant see how you could feasibly make a 1 piece exhaust with a mandrel, all of them are just made of welded up bends.

[TOYO-GT-T]

Maidstone mufflers is just down the road, tempted to go there so long as I don't get a bad experience.

I also might go to Midas Porirua, they are close to work and have been doing exhausts for years - cant remember if they can do mandrel.

Do the Pitstop guys do the mandrel pipe work or crushed?

[Dell'Orto]

They'll do whatever you specify, they have a pipe bender as well as a shop full of mandrel bends

[DexGT]

Dan is the man at midas in porirua , he will build you a good exhaust .

[Bling]

In fact, given the cost difference between the two types of exhaust, it's often best to get a press-bent exhaust in a pipe one size larger than is required. That way, it's cheap and effective. Note that the difference in flow rates for the two types of bend really only becomes noticeable with bends tighter than 45 degrees.

That seems to answer your question. I don't see a difference between doing the above, or running a mandrel bend exhaust. Except for the cost and maybe some bragging rights if you're that way inclined.

For a situation like yours, I see no reason to get something other than a crush bent exhaust. It's not like you have modified to engine to require extra breathing room. my2c.