Up Pipes 101

[RickDLance]

In this thread I will attempt to show why we think our up pipes are better. In the past everyone has been curious about the manifolds.

I have been skeptical about doing this because as we and you learn together so does our competition. In the end I am showing my competition how to make better parts themselves, but educating the consumer is more important to me.

If this thread goes well I may do it for other stuff also.

I am not slamming anyone's product here. Just posting what I think. Ask any non vendor specific questions you have.

 

[RickDLance]

First lets talk about the flanges. The factory and most all of the aftermarket ones except ours have slots and oversize holes. In the picture bellow you see the slots and oversize holes on the lower flange.

This allows the manufacturer a huge amount of tolerances when manufacturing. This also allows for a misalignment of the tubes inside.

 

[RickDLance]

With a little work I got a pair of flanges to fit like the one above would. Here is a picture of them. See the huge misalignment at the bottom of the back bracket. This would create a ton of turbulence and likely hurt the flow as well.

 

[RickDLance]

Next we can use the same picture as above to talk about flow again. I've cropped it for greater detail. Look inside the flange. See that weld? Nice looking weld isn't it??

 

[RickDLance]

Only problem with that weld is it should be smoothed out, or better yet on the outside. You don't need or want the turbulence. You thought you were putting on something better than stock.....Not the same or worse!

Now look at a picture of our up pipe inside the flange. This is nothing special for us. We gasket match and blend EVERY up pipe. We want a smooth and as much as seem-less transition from part to part as possible.

 

[RickDLance]

Next we move on to the inside of the tube. More specifically where the bellows is. We learned the hard way years ago that either the material the pipes were being made of needed to be better or at the very least thicker. This is where this issue is.

Although I have a camera I can look in side the pipes with I can't seem to figure out how to get that image to this post so I will show it as if we are making an up pipe.

Below is a picture of the inside of the bellows we use. Very smooth and slick. Can you see where the air would flow right through?

 

[Vmyrhaug]

For perfect flow i agree, for performance i also agree. But stock vs others will still be a upgrade in flow/performance, and these who make this more perfect will be better
But what about milage? And performance for the guys in 700-800hp range?

I've seen alot of bad headers on small gasolin engines with turbo. Still making nice hp numbers. And changed too better headers with no gain in performance.
Also have seen v8 gasolin headers in Dyno, hitted with hammer, and making better numbers after they where damadge.

Sorry for my bad english, i'm an norwegian. Probably a stupid one also

 

[RickDLance]

Sadly we've even seen these bellows installed backwards.

Anyway look at the bellows with the thicker wall pipe inserted in the end. We are looking at exactly what the flow is seeing. Now we know that lip sticking inward can't be good for flow.

On our up pipes we chamfer that leading edge.

 

[RickDLance]

These are just a few of the things we think make our up pipes better. Some may argue they aren't enough to help..... but we feel they are. We build every one of our products with this same attention to detail.

Please buy quality products and support those made in the USA!!!

 

[RickDLance]

Please post your post again c20elephant

 

[yellowchevy]

Rick,

I'm really glad you guys don't "slot/enlarge" your flange holes, sure it would make install/fit up easier but as you say you're are/can sacrifice flow if you don't get them lined up right.

Don't put up to much info otherwise you'll shot yourself in the foot like I did...:rofl::rofl:

Keep up the good work.

Yellowchevy

 

[RickDLance]

I just posted some of the more obvious. We still have some trade secrets.:thumb:

I'm really surprised no one ever said anything about some of these before now.

 

[yellowchevy]

I just posted some of the more obvious. We still have some trade secrets.:thumb:

I'm really surprised no one ever said anything about some of these before now.

They either don't want to say or don't know... haha:roflmao:

Yellowchevy

 

[c20elephant]

Every little bit counts, I had my stock manifolds ported and if the machining matches it would complement a ported turbo charger and make a nice flowing exhaust system and doubt I'll ever finish it...

Please post your post again c20elephant

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Turbocharger.

http://www.duramaxdiesels.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52437&page=4
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Manifolds

http://www.duramaxdiesels.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60226
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[Hambone]

Every little thing counts when it comes to airflow!
:thumb:

 

[TheBac]

Thanks Rick.

 

[oscyjack]

Sub. Great thread and look forward to more

 

[WisconsinHick1]

Hey Rick do you make remote mount up pipe setups? I have ATS manifolds and am looking to do a remote mount system.

 

[RickDLance]

I have but they are usually on a one off basis. See Joshh's thread for one of the latest.

 

[Chevy1925]

Rick, just out of curiosity, ive seen on facebook how "Steed Speed" had shown a video of their new duramax exhaust manifolds. basically blowing air into one end with cardboard flaps over each open end of the manifold to show how air is directed. is there really any merit to that to "show improvement" or is it just bs to make you think you are getting an improvement? do you guys do any testing like that if it does have merit to it?

here is a link to the fb video (if you have a fb account)
https://www.facebook.com/leen.steed/videos/vb.791569729/10155029280804730/?type=2&theater

Also, on a separate note. On the towflow up pipes, being that stock manifolds arent perfect, whats the likely hood of the uppipes lining up with the exhaust manifold outlet or are they relatively consistant in placement across the board so its not much of an issue?