Mild steel tubular manifold

[Lucient]

Im considering making a mild steel tubular manifold using schedule 40 pipe and weld els. What are the drawbacks to using mild steel vs stainless steel (besides the obvious rust)?
Any valid info would be greatly appreciated

[Big Bronze Rim]

I really don't think you are going to have a huge issue with making it out of mild steel. I made a manifold for my turbo BMW out of mild steel weld-els and so far it has held up great. It might not look as baller, but you can have it coated and it will get the job done, last well, and be a whole lot cheaper and easier to weld up.

[Andrew Bohan]

just make sure it has good bracing

[rainyD]

mild steel is more elastic, fares better under heat stress= less prone to cracks and warpage

[BeerBringer]

Mild steel does not enlongate as much by heat as stainless do.
Material stress by heat will be reduced and by that way reduce the likelyhood of cracking.

On thing that sometimes is mentioned with mild steel manifolds is glow shell.
Some people claim that the glow shell can destroy turbos. I think it's a bit of a myth though...

[Yellow4g63]

If you weld it right you won't have any problems at all. The material itself won't crack but the welds will fail if it's not done right. Also you won't need no bracing sine it's so freaking thick.

Here is what mine was made out off.
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q211/Bluerb240/P1000703.jpg

part of the way
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q211/Bluerb240/Protrb203.jpg

all the way without the coating on it
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q211/Bluerb240/240%20stuff/turboonmanifold.jpg
coated
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q211/Bluerb240/240%20stuff/finmanifold11.jpg

[steve_o1989]

^ That is one beefy manifold. Have you ever tossed it on the scale to see how much it weighs?

[Yellow4g63]

No but it's heavy tho lol.