Steel or Aluminum??

LionheartedSXT · Post by **LionheartedSXT** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:57 pm

Well I'm talking intercooler piping. What do you guys think would be a more viable solution?

bone-yard-racing · Post by **bone-yard-racing** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 8:10 pm

Steel is easier because you can have any muffler shop bend it up for you out of stock they have. Their wont be too much extra weight either.

LionheartedSXT · Post by **LionheartedSXT** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 8:28 pm

That's true, plus from what i know it is easier to weld than aluminum, as for cost and weight, I would think aluminum would win that, but I could be wrong...

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 9:46 pm

cost: steel
weight: aluminum
heat dissipation: aluminum

excon · Post by **excon** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 9:57 pm

Then it's decided. Aluminum it is!

LionheartedSXT · Post by **LionheartedSXT** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 10:11 pm

What about the welding factor...

racer12306 wrote:cost: steel
weight: aluminum
easier to weld: steel
heat dissipation: aluminum

I would say its a tie at this point...

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 10:19 pm

ehh, if you know how to weld professionally, you can weld aluminum no problem.

apparently its a matter of high heat and fast feeds. and then making it pretty takes some practice.

LionheartedSXT · Post by **LionheartedSXT** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 12:52 am

Well I guess that is some good news, anyone else have some input?

DoubtedNeon · Post by **DoubtedNeon** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 11:11 am

Aluminum FTW

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 11:12 am

That about covers it. If it were me, learn to weld aluminum. It's a good skill to have. Aluminum piping has more advantages in this application as listed above.

Post by **jonnymopar** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 12:42 pm

I used aluminum piping on my Daytona. As said before, heat dissipation is much better than steel.

LionheartedSXT · Post by **LionheartedSXT** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 12:47 pm

I guess aluminum it is then, now off to find an alum flange

thanks all!

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 12:57 pm

Vibrant has lots of fab components for intake and exhaust work.

http://vibrantperformance.com/catalog/i ... 416790d532

hul kogan · Post by **hul kogan** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 1:40 pm

alum FTW.

bone-yard-racing · Post by **bone-yard-racing** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 1:47 pm

Alittle black paint(inside the tubes) and some heat wrap would end just about any heat advantages aluminum. Welding aluminum isnt hard but making it look good is.

n20sxt · Post by **n20sxt** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:38 am

bone-yard-racing wrote:Alittle black paint(inside the tubes) and some heat wrap would end just about any heat advantages aluminum. Welding aluminum isnt hard but making it look good is.

i've heard otherwise about the alum. welding, i thought you needed a tig to weld the stuff... could be wrong tho

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 6:53 pm

It can be MIG welded, but as far as thin tubing, yes TIG is the better option.

jake_tim · Post by **jake_tim** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 7:56 pm

Carbon fiber intercooler piping.

excon · Post by **excon** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 9:27 pm

jake_tim wrote:Carbon fiber intercooler piping.

YEAH! CARBON FIBER FTW!

there have been guys that have made their own carbon fiber pipes... if you get some fabric and someone willing to let you borrow some steel pipes to make a mold for your carbon fiber it would totally be doable...

Post by **racer12306** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 9:33 pm

You can mig aluminum. You just really really want a spool gun, rather than feeding from the actual welder. Aluminum will kink.

2GN.ORG

Steel or Aluminum??

Intercooler piping Material?

Steel or Aluminum??