Bending Stainless Steel
 

I have no idea where I should have put this thread so I thought this is the best place. A friend hit me and now my Greddy tip is bent in. Meaning the 4" tip is bent from the side and now made it like a 3" exit.

Im looking for anyone with expierence is bending metal that can give me some advice. Im either going to just have some tips welded on or try to bend the stock back to 4". It doesnt have to be completely perfect but close. The only thing I can think of working is sticking something in the tip and expanding it to make it bigger. Does the metal have to be heated up?

Maybe a tailpipe expander? :)

Come to think of it, not sure I've ever seen one that big. Maybe just stick a bat in there and lean on it. The metal has some memory, it should want to come back to shape.

the way we fix pipe at work is say the pipe is 3" we take a reducer smaller than the pipe to bigger than the pipe. we heat it up and put the reducer in the end then beat it with a hammer. very similar to a flare tool. there are other ways but they will damage the finish on the outside.

saddly your best bet is to have one or two rewelded because of the finish unless you can come up with the tools described to keep it round

Actually I looked at the tips of the Greddy and they are kind of Oval like. You think its possible for me to bend it back to close of the Oval shape? I dont care about the finish, ill probably just spray paint my tips black.

I really dont want to spend money on another exhaust because I have plans of FI and I want to change the Exhaust when that build actually comes around. I just need something to hold me over until then.

If you do both of them in a vise and cover the tips with a towel or something you should be able to match them quite well if you take your time

Possible?

No, you can maybe beat it out some but you will never get it back any where near original condition again



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Damn, guess I have to get new tips welded on.

Someone told me that welding stainless steel needs a special welder. Is this true? If not my friend can weld on new tips in his garage.

The point is it that unless it's an extremely expensive or irreplaceable part you will be better off buying a new one. Other wise this material is too thin for all but the most experience and well equipped professional handcrafter to work with, which for the cost you can buy an entire new Greddy exhaust with. Unlike steel, you can't grind down thin polished stainless steel and then feather in the imperfections with primer and paint (or bondo for less experienced people). Cutting it off and replacing either the one or both tips are the only real options other than to do nothing at all and just live with it.

Fot the purpose of welding on new tips you can pretty much do it with any welder with the proper materials and skill since the place where it will be welded is not likely to be seen and doesn't require cosmetic finess, or some tips bolt or clamp on as well.


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My friends g35 hks exhaust was bent went to a local shop and they fixed it with an expanded for like $40

a shop wanted to charge me 100 dollar labor for welding on new tips. My friend has a welder so I might just have him do it in his garage. I loved these Greddy tips, so sad.

Just leave it, it will add character!

What you really need to weld that is called a TIG welder. Next best scenario would be Mig so if your buddy has one of those then your set. Stick welding stainless is a bitch and very hard with thin gauge like your exhaust.
Your best bet is to cut off he damaged tips and try your best at hammering them out. Go to a hardware store and find some body hammers and dollies to use.
If all else fails have your friend weld your OEM tips on. It would look sleeper and you also said you just need it for the mean time before FI right?

yeah beating it out i dont think is going to happen cut them off and weld new on for sure gets my vote.