Mandrel Bent Stainless Exhaust Group Buy
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Topic author - I sleep in my van
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Mandrel Bent Stainless Exhaust Group Buy
I posted this on Astrosafari.com and I don't want to step on anyone's toes. But I was curious if anyone would be interested in a Stainless Steel Mandrel Bent Catback Exhaust? I've been on the boards for a while, and to make a long story short I now work at Mandrel Bending Solutions. We can do exhausts, custom intakes, roll cages, etc. Since I am big vanner I thought it would be nice to offer you guys a group buy if there is enough people interested. Price would be under $400 for an all Stainless Steel Exhaust.
Basically it would be a side swept exhaust configuration like stock with:
-Flange with gasket and bolts to bolt right up to the stock flange
-3" Dual Stainless tip
-Stainless Mandrel bent pipes, probably 3"
-Your choice of Muffler, Full Boar Flow Deflector or Full Boar Max Flow (Flowmaster 40 Series sound, or Magnaflow for the people that want a quieter more free flowing muffler)
I also have another idea for an exhaust kit that would be a side exit exhaust right before the rear tire if there is interest.
We could have a vote for kits, what tips, etc. Let me know your thoughts. I just noticed there is not a lot of bolt on kits/ choices on the market anymore.
Basically it would be a side swept exhaust configuration like stock with:
-Flange with gasket and bolts to bolt right up to the stock flange
-3" Dual Stainless tip
-Stainless Mandrel bent pipes, probably 3"
-Your choice of Muffler, Full Boar Flow Deflector or Full Boar Max Flow (Flowmaster 40 Series sound, or Magnaflow for the people that want a quieter more free flowing muffler)
I also have another idea for an exhaust kit that would be a side exit exhaust right before the rear tire if there is interest.
We could have a vote for kits, what tips, etc. Let me know your thoughts. I just noticed there is not a lot of bolt on kits/ choices on the market anymore.

1993 Astro, 1973 Austin Mini Clubman Estate, 1980 Trabant, 1961 Morris Minor
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Topic author - I sleep in my van
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Re: Mandrel Bent Stainless Exhaust Group Buy
The side exhaust idea would be in front of the rear tire accept below the rocker panels. Also price for that would be much cheaper than the full catback/flange back.

What the catback side swept could look like:


What the catback side swept could look like:


1993 Astro, 1973 Austin Mini Clubman Estate, 1980 Trabant, 1961 Morris Minor
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Re: Mandrel Bent Stainless Exhaust Group Buy
I was wondering if Virginia would allow you to run the exhaust out the side.
I live on the western side of the state.
I live on the western side of the state.
93 Astro cargo .... Newest Aquisition !
95 Safari , on the injured list

95 Safari , on the injured list

Re: Mandrel Bent Stainless Exhaust Group Buy
That all depends, from whom do you buy your Inspection Sticker.Astro-SS-V8 wrote:I was wondering if Virginia would allow you to run the exhaust out the side.
I live on the western side of the state.
LOLz, Jim
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Topic author - I sleep in my van
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Re: Mandrel Bent Stainless Exhaust Group Buy
As far as the side exhaust exiting before the rear tire, it was going to be marketed as a "Off Road Kit". However I will say I did an aftermarket side exhaust kit on my 91 Saleen and the inspectors had no problem with it. It may vary from State to State and I will try and research it a little bit. I figured it would be a easy bolt on kit, weigh nothing compared to the factory exhaust, have a unique look and sound.

1993 Astro, 1973 Austin Mini Clubman Estate, 1980 Trabant, 1961 Morris Minor
Re: Mandrel Bent Stainless Exhaust Group Buy
The Sound will be a great selling point.
Also having a lower price would be good too.
I like the dump before the rear wheels.
Keep us posted, Jim
Also having a lower price would be good too.
I like the dump before the rear wheels.
Keep us posted, Jim
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Topic author - I sleep in my van
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Re: Mandrel Bent Stainless Exhaust Group Buy
Astroturf, thanks for the interest. Most likely in order to do a bolt on kit, ie to use the stock flange, it would limit the muffler to a single chamber race muffler, similar to a Flowmaster 40 series 1 chamber muffler accept slightly shorter to be able to fit. We could use a longer muffler, but then you would have to cut your exhaust pipe and slip this one on. Not sure if we want to do that. Anyway price for the short side exhaust kit could be under $300, possibly $275ish range if there is enough interest.

1993 Astro, 1973 Austin Mini Clubman Estate, 1980 Trabant, 1961 Morris Minor
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Topic author - I sleep in my van
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Re: Mandrel Bent Stainless Exhaust Group Buy
Just a quick update. The exhaust has been mocked up and is now in the jig. We will take pictures and audio clips. Really liking the product though, sounds really good on the van, I think it's the perfect balance of loudness, flows great.

1993 Astro, 1973 Austin Mini Clubman Estate, 1980 Trabant, 1961 Morris Minor
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Topic author - I sleep in my van
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Re: Mandrel Bent Stainless Exhaust Group Buy
First kit is done. 3" Stainless Steel mandrel bent with a Full Boar Max Flow Muffler (Flows 92cfm more than Magnaflow). Let me know what you guys think, I know it's hard to really capture the sound, but from my personal experience I drove it 2 hours last night and I had a Flowmaster 40 series / 1 chamber muffler on it before. This exhaust is much better flowing, has a great sound and much better on the highway.
VIDEO LINK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAC2EBqQkBc
VIDEO LINK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAC2EBqQkBc

1993 Astro, 1973 Austin Mini Clubman Estate, 1980 Trabant, 1961 Morris Minor
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Re: Mandrel Bent Stainless Exhaust Group Buy
Sounds nice!
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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- I finally get the smurf thing
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Re: Mandrel Bent Stainless Exhaust Group Buy
I love the sound. I don't think shipping would make it a reasonable offer for me, but i would definately be interested in doing something similar for my van when i get around to getting it niice.
Is your van the 4.3 or is that a V8 swap. I don't remember from your other threads.???
Is your van the 4.3 or is that a V8 swap. I don't remember from your other threads.???
1999 Safari SLE. Stock. Proud owner since May 2010. So far I love it..

P1050479 by leadtrombone, on Flickr
The old cars - my progression to here (most recent first)
1996 Honda Passport
1988 BMW 320i touring
1989 BMW 520
2005 Chrysler Sebring Convertible
2002 Dodge 1500 Quad Cab
1989 BMW 320i
1990 Toyota Tercel EZ
1991 Mitshubishi Mirage
1970 Mercedes Benz 250 Saloon

P1050479 by leadtrombone, on Flickr
The old cars - my progression to here (most recent first)
1996 Honda Passport
1988 BMW 320i touring
1989 BMW 520
2005 Chrysler Sebring Convertible
2002 Dodge 1500 Quad Cab
1989 BMW 320i
1990 Toyota Tercel EZ
1991 Mitshubishi Mirage
1970 Mercedes Benz 250 Saloon