Mandrel tooling - what size to order?

[Special Ed GT]

Hey, gang, I am getting ready to order more tooling for my mandrel bender. I already have 1.625" (1 5/8"), 2", 2.5" and 3" (all for stainless, aluminum and mild steel), and 2.25" is on the way.

For header work, I need to have a size between 1.625" and 2" but I'd rather not spend the mucho $$$ for both 1 3/4" and 1 7/8". So, I'm asking for advice: which would better support your needs for high-performance header/turbo applications, 1 3/4" or 1 7/8"? Or are the applications so specific that you'd recommend both sizes? Also, do you see much need for 1.5"? :confused:

Thanks for your input!

Hank

[Slow96GSR]

We use 1.5 and 1.75 a lot but our pipes are smaller then a street cars as those sizes get run all the way back. As for headers it depends on the flange if it can take the bigger or smaller pipe. We also have a bigger budget so we have every size and radius for ours, I just wish it was a cnc bender so I could be lazier!

[boostedEG]

on the few turbo manifolds i have made i used 1 3/4. a friend also made a manifold using 1 3/4 and made almost 600HP at the wheels on a turbo honda. so requardless of the motor 1 3/4 should be plenty big for most any turbo manifold. but for headers you might want 1 7/8

[boostedEG]

3" is the largest you can do, right?

[Special Ed GT]

Thx for the input, guys. Yep, 3" is the largest tube we can currently bend.