Mandrel Bent Exhaust

[ssn696]

YouTube abides.

For all the complaints about 'this exhaust doesn't fit as advertised', here's a demo on how mandrel bends are made. Imagine planning the bends on a 6-foot section of 3 inch tubing. If you ever tried to bend a brake line or fuel line to fit a complicated path, imagine trying to plan out the coordinate system, length/angle/rotation, just perfect on a huge piece of tube.

Watch 16 gage stainless ripple at 5:05.

 

[clean8485]

Thanks for sharing. Very interesting video.

 

[69hurstolds]

This is why the majority of factory exhaust systems are mass-produced crinkle bends. Ain't nobody got time for dat!

 

[565bbchevy]

Very cool, I knew they used an insert while bending but had no idea of the actual process.

 

[-dw-]

Ive been crushing pipe for almost 30yrs. Im ok with that, the goal is to get the smoke out. My Olds I built the system with both crushed and mandrel, runs the same.

 

[Rt Jam]

This is why the majority of factory exhaust systems are mass-produced crinkle bends. Ain't nobody got time for dat!

I visit a company who bends, welds, assembles complete exhaust systems for the OEM. Just to name a few, GM, Ford, big trucks etc. ALL of their product is mandrel bent.


The process involves quality stations to check for leaks and fit as well. If a system does not fit a car, I doubt it is the fault of the prebent system.

 

[69hurstolds]

I visit a company who bends, welds, assembles complete exhaust systems for the OEM. Just to name a few, GM, Ford, big trucks etc. ALL of their product is mandrel bent.


The process involves quality stations to check for leaks and fit as well. If a system does not fit a car, I doubt it is the fault of the prebent system.

Nowadays, they may very well be. 40 years makes a difference. Automated systems and tighter and well-seasoned QC lessons learned make it more efficient and cost-effective to do it better now. I.E., more profitable for the company making them. I'd be worried if they didn't improve.

It was just a little over 20 years ago they started with the band clamp brigade for factory exhuasts as well, with better sealing and a tad easier to take apart without having to worry about Captain Crushmore overtightening the standard muffler clamps and ruining the connection. Back in the 80s, for G-bodies (because that's mainly what I GAF about), the majority of factory exhuausts had crinkle fries instead of mandrels apparently. Not saying it was bad, just saying that's how it was. GM no longer builds 40 zillion cars with 60% marketshare anymore either, so there's that thrown into the equation as well.

Newer car's exhausts are right up there with the aftermarket as far as quality. Not 100% there, but pretty darn good considering.

 

[bracketchev1221]

My last car used no exhaust bends. Much easier!!!