DeleriousZ Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 So I've got a nice lincoln mud gun that I borrowed from an ex-co-worker (yeah, I double dashed that) so I can start fabricating my downpipe on my Z31 project. I did a few test runs then decided it was time to start on the reducer -> flange piece. I think it turned out pretty well for my first time on the MIG; I had the gas down a tad too low though I think which caused some spatter. Pics are easier though! I ran a bead around the inside of it because my fitment wasn't as good as i had hoped it would have been, then hit it with a dremel tool for (4 hours!) to smooth it back out and remove the spatter. I then hit a brick wall as to what to do next. Hopefully I'll have progress to report before the guy wants his welder back or I run out of gas. Anyone with tips/tricks for making downpipes, it's much appreciated. Being a first timer for prettymuch everything in the entire build, I take all the help I can get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nizm0Zed Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 nice. looks good, very good. honestly, looking at the end result, i wouldn't say thats a first timers job. guess we'll have to wait and see the rest of it though huh what tips do you need? where to go with the pipe? I usually find it easiest to buy a few mandrel bends, you can use masking tape to hold them in place while you trial fit everything. I also find it handy to mark the pipe with a sharpie or something, make sure your marks are unevenly spaced, so you have a reference to work with later. once you know where it needs to be welded, you can do it on a bench, and test fit again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Ive seen guys who have used a welder for years not do nearly as nice welds CONGRATS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockerstar Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 If you do not have an angle grinder, buy one A die grinder is a good idea to have as well. Looking great for a first timer, and just good in general. Where are you wanting to take the exhaust from there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeleriousZ Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 Thanks guys, I took night classes for both oxy/acetylene and GTAW, but I figured I would never need to take a GMAW course as I was planning to buy a tig, alas the job market said eff you and laid me off. Thanks for the tips, they're pretty similar to what most people said across the great interwebs. I got this far before I ran out of bends. (ok I only had 1 to begin with but I thought I could use some of my old exhaust, but it turned out to be more oval/octagonal than I had anticipated. clearance between pipe and steering shaft. going to have to cut it down a bit more to clear both the steering shaft and the transmission. the gaps are pretty tight i think for my first time ever doing exhaust work. tools to do this: angle grinder with zip discs and flapper wheel mig welder stump small vise file dremel. more to come when more pipe comes in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockerstar Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 That looks great man! You're going to want to tig that all together or put down a few more tacks before you start welding the sections together or you'll create little gaps as the newly laid metal cools and contracts. It would look great TIG'd though. Planning on any type of coating? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeleriousZ Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 most likely going to wrap it with similar stuff to what the manifolds are done with. mainly because i'm strapped for cash and ceramic coatings are out of my league for the time being. You know it's a rule that all z31 owners must be broke, were broke at one point in time or are on their way to being broke. It's what we do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 (edited) ITs scarry! to see the basic tallent some of you gentelmen have, I doubt that 75% of the PROs can do as nice of work as some of you guys do on your cars , if I wasn,t living on a pension ID hire some of you to work on MY CAR, because I don,t think Id do any better Edited May 21, 2009 by grumpyvette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comrade_Charlie Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 most likely going to wrap it with similar stuff to what the manifolds are done with. mainly because i'm strapped for cash and ceramic coatings are out of my league for the time being. You know it's a rule that all z31 owners must be broke, were broke at one point in time or are on their way to being broke. It's what we do Haha, Ive been messing with rx7s, maximas, and 280zs. And I just drove my Z for the first time in a month or 2(has bad rings, smokes), but still smokes the tires. and I remebered what I like about it, out of all those other cars it just feels more like a race car to me... but yea im broke thats why I cant fix it, and its just sitting in my yard haha. I want to see your car running soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Careless Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 great job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeleriousZ Posted May 22, 2009 Author Share Posted May 22, 2009 finished up to putting a flange on it and welding it out. it sits pretty close to where i want it.. might take a little massaging to get it exactly where i want it, but right now it'll do me good enough to move onto other things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRZ man Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 What welder do you have?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeleriousZ Posted May 23, 2009 Author Share Posted May 23, 2009 lincoln sp-135 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeleriousZ Posted June 21, 2009 Author Share Posted June 21, 2009 finally made it to the welder. almost all of the joints are atogenous(sp?) aka without filler, had to use some filler once on the piping, then of course on the o2 sensor and flange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meph Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 That looks great. Welding exhaust is my favorite thing to do, ive been itching to start mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nizm0Zed Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 im going to say what may of us are thinking. Your a liar, a big fat liar. Youve been welding for over 20 years and your just ♥♥♥♥ stirring us arent you? seriously, you have some insane skills there. it looks like it was done by a machine. If i could weld like that, id be showing everyone too.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeleriousZ Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 I should have been more clear, the TIG welds were done by a professional welder, who does thin wall stainless for a living. I wish i could weld like that... my tigging is half decent, but nowhere near that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nizm0Zed Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 well i dont feel so bad about my chicken scratch then.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LowCarbZ Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 Regardless of who did the TIG, your MIG skills on the initial setup are very impressive. Very clean work and well thought out. Something to be proud of for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canyoncarver Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 Very nice job fitting those tubes. The welding was the easy part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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