Mandrel bent 350 system available???

[Tom Miller]

Does anyone know if there is a system offered just for the 350
cars?
If not, does anyone know how much trouble it is to fit a 455
system up to a 350?
Lastly, what is the latest word on the availability of the POWER-X
2.5 inch system's?
Would like to use this on my pure stock 350 project, shooting for
low to mid 13's.
Any and all info is appreciated.
Tom

[73-462GS]

Poston sells mandrel bent systems but they are setup for cars with headers. Their phone # is 18006359781 order, 12513688577general. TA performance also sells them. www.TAperformance.com Hope this helps. Mike

[Tom Miller]

Thanks Mike.
I guess I should have been a little more specific.
The main question was about the headpipes. Does anyone make
mandrel bent headpipes for the 350,or am I going to have to
modify a pair from a big block system?

[Tom Miller]

Nobody has a mandrel bent 2.5 inch system hooked up to stock
exhaust manifold's?

[gscalifornia]

Tom,

I think I sent you a direct email on this, but you're correct, no one makes mandrel bent 2 1/2" headpipes for the 350. If you measure the exhuast manifold outlet and flange you'll see why. I ended up using the stock headpipe and welding the 2 1/2" pipe onto it at the bottom bend. You could probably weld the 2 1/2" pipe on right after the flange for a little better flow.

Ken

[Tom Miller]

Thanks for the reply Ken.
I got your email message too and I'll try to get back to you before
the weekend is over on the build-up details.
I figured as much about the exhaust,but I thought I would check
anyway's.
TA sell's 3 inch mandrel bent head pipes for the 455 that have a
very short section of 2.5 inch and flange welded at the end, and
I was thinking that maybe they(TA) might offer a 2.5 inch head-
pipe with a section of 2and1/4 welded at the end for the 350.
I guess I'll have to do some fabricating,but that's nothing new,
I think all us Buick owner's are used to fabricating and retro-
fitting part's from other application's.

[72skylark]

ummm I do believe that TA does sell 2 1/2 inch headpipes for the 350. I got mine from them, and if I remember correctly they were 2 1/2.... lemme see if I can find the reciept... ug can't find it... but I am pretty sure they are 2 1/2... I'd call them and ask...
I remember the pipe was smaller at the manifold side for a few inches, then was welded to a larger pipe.

[72skylark]

I found the reciept...
lists Down Pipes - 2 1/2 aluminized for 350 in "A" body using exh Manifolds... cost me $120. TA 2008D is the part number. They are mandrel bent.

[brblx]

what does it take to 'mandrel' bend? is it a special thing or do any exhaust shops do it? 100 bucks is a lot for a couple of short bent pipes.:Do No:

[Tom Miller]

That was the answer I was looking for, great!!

David, mandrel bending,from what I understand, involves pulling
something through the inside of the pipe while doing the bend's
to maintain the diameter of the pipe even through the curved area's. Muffler shops can't do this, their pipe bender's will smash
the pipe to a smaller diameter through the bends with crimps and
kink's.
You can lose alot of HP with muffler shop schlock.
Remember,an engine is basically a big air pump, the more effic-
iently you get the air in&out,the more power it will make.
So you ask if the $100 plus dollars is worth it? Most definately,
especially in the first few feet(very important)because as the
exhaust travels further away from the engine,the exhaust gasses
cool and condense becoming smaller and don't require as much
volume(flow) further back. But right at the manifold where four
cylinder's are going into one area, you want that area to be as
free flowing as possible.

[gscalifornia]

Thanks for the info, I didn't know TA was making headpipes for stock 350 manifolds. Looks like they're going to get some more money from me!!

Hey Tom, have you found any info on the 2 1/2" X-pipe system yet? Sounds like they're good for a few more HP as well.

Ken

[GSXMEN]

For anyone who hasn't seen their site, check out http://www.drgas.com/ :TU:

Throw in your favorite mufflers and TA's tailpipes, and you've got a top notch system!! I think TA has the best looking tips and the best fitting pipes!:TU:

After watching (and listening) to Bruce Kent's Apollo run high 9's this year with the SpinTech mufflers - I was quite impressed!:TU:

I also like the sound of the Straightline Performance mufflers! I believe Jim Burek had those on his 62 last year.

[quickstage1]

Try doing a search for TORQUE TECH. I got my 2-1/2" mandrel bent system from them and if I remember correct they had the system that you are looking for. They do mostly exhaust systems and are into the Buicks.

Ken

[GSXMEN]

Torque Tech supplies Dr. Gas with GM tailpipes!:)

Keith Blythe 'used to' sell alot of Buick stuff - before R.L. ran him out of town. No 'biggie' for him...he'll sell more exhaust stuff than Buick parts anyways!!

[Chris Cornett]

I just put the T/A 2.5" system on my GS and it fits and hangs perfect. It tucks right against the underbody. I put headers and the Delta flow 50 series flowmasters on and it sounds nasty.

[72skylark]

I went with the flowmaster system. All mandrel bends, fit perfect. Plus the whole system (header back) with mufflers was the same price as TA's pipes with no mufflers.

[darrenkp]

I purchased a 2.5'" system for my GS 350 from Torque Tech last year and they didn't have downpipes available for the 350 at that time. Keith told me they were on his list but as of last Dec. he still hadn't gotten around to them yet. Not enough demand for them to be a priority I guess, though he did say he intends to produce them at some time. I wasn't aware that TA had downpipes for a 350. I wonder if I would have very much trouble using TA downpipes with Torque Tech headpipes? I too have wondered if big block downpipes would work also, however, Torque Techs advice is too use non-mandrel bent downpipes intended for a 350. I just used my old 2.25" downpipes and connected them with a reducer. BTW, 2.5" pipes I believe will seal to a stock exhaust manifold.

[Tom Miller]

thanks for the info guy's.