New Caprice - Discussion forums

I finally started on my hotside piping. Here's the first few pieces. I cut the stock flange off of the catalytic converter. In the future I would like to buy V-Bands for it.

Here's the next couple pieces, and the flex pipe.

I'm going to have the driver side manifold flipped like this, and I plan on 90' ing right into the flange.

I'm gonna have to relocate the coil packs and figure something out for the plug wires, if anyone has any ideas up open to listen!

The turbo flange will be sitting right around here.

This is the welder I have been using. I'm not a welder and this has probably been the most I've ever welded. It's not perfect but I think it'll work! If you have any constructive criticism please share, because I really don't know what I'm doing here. As far as welding, exhaust, and just general building a turbo kit. I

Curious where you are going to put your wastegate/gates?

PS- Nice boat.

Not bad welds for a non-welder.

I think I would have opted for oval pipe for the crossover. I can imagine that pipe getting beat up in use. Not cheap, but you could gain some clearance while also maybe gaining some pipe size.

+1 with no welding experience, those don't look bad (my first weld looked like a bunch of charred nerds slapped on the joint)

My only concern is as the crossover passes under the flexplate area, might that be a lot of radiant heat headed up towards the torque converter area?

I have no experience with turbo'd V8s so odds are I am very much misguided in my concerns.

Good luck on rest of build.

-J

I agree about the heat, I would consider wrapping that crossover section in heat wrap tape or getting that pipe coated, is that aluminized pipe you are using? If yes I would go with the coating as the wrap will just retain moisture and make it rust out, ask me how I know.... I have eastwood same exact welder its great but the wire they ship it with will rust in the welds....

lastcall190 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 06, 2019 4:28 pm +1 with no welding experience, those don't look bad (my first weld looked like a bunch of charred nerds slapped on the joint)

My only concern is as the crossover passes under the flexplate area, might that be a lot of radiant heat headed up towards the torque converter area?

I have no experience with turbo'd V8s so odds are I am very much misguided in my concerns.

Good luck on rest of build.

-J

I dont know a whole lot about how the heat will affect the torque converter. But I do know that just about everybody runs their crossover in that spot, that's why I did it. I am a little uncomfortable with how close it is to the cooler lines. I will be wrapping it but I think I would like to get a bigger aftermarket trans cooler in the future.

CrashTestDummy wrote: ↑Wed Feb 06, 2019 10:05 am Not bad welds for a non-welder.

I think I would have opted for oval pipe for the crossover. I can imagine that pipe getting beat up in use. Not cheap, but you could gain some clearance while also maybe gaining some pipe size.

If I have problems I might switch it up. But I actually opted for a smaller pipe size to help spool a little quicker.

cabledawg wrote: ↑Wed Feb 06, 2019 8:51 am Curious where you are going to put your wastegate/gates?

PS- Nice boat.

I'm gonna run 2 wastegates, because it's a split system. I'm going to put one right on the bend right after the driver's side manifold, and the other down bottom somewhere probably. I'm kinda doing this as I go and don't really have a plan for everything. I'm not skilled enough to plan everything out!

xcidmigs wrote: ↑Wed Feb 06, 2019 4:59 pm I agree about the heat, I would consider wrapping that crossover section in heat wrap tape or getting that pipe coated, is that aluminized pipe you are using? If yes I would go with the coating as the wrap will just retain moisture and make it rust out, ask me how I know.... I have eastwood same exact welder its great but the wire they ship it with will rust in the welds....

I plan on painting it with some high temp and then wrapping it. It is aluminized pipe. Hopefully by the time it rusts through I can afford to go stainless I guess! I'm using lincoln brand wire from home depot.





Also thank you everyone for the feedback!