Hi all,
Starting to think about building the headers for my car, and when I was looking around on Google I came across this:

Ice Engine Works

It seems to work a bit like lego, you click them together in order to model your headers, then when you're done you have a simple, measurable model that you can then make the final metal version out of.

So the question is, has anyone come across these before? They're quite expensive for a one- (or two- ) off, although I'm sure I could shift them on ebay when I'm done. Or if anyone has some and is willing to sell/rent/loan them..

Or is there an easier way?

Cheers,
KEv.

Linky no workey.

I don't get what you could resell though? It sounds like the kit comes with the plastic formers, but also a set of identically shaped metal parts that just get built up based on the measurements on the formers? Without the metal components the plastic formers don't help much? And there are cheaper options to prototype headers.

quote:

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Originally posted by adithorp
Linky no workey.

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It looks like a great idea. But.......................

For the money you could buy a lot of stainless bends and just make it. Even if you made a lot of mistakes it would still be cheaper.

If what you are doing is really complicated you could mock it up in pipe lagging and work from there.

Watch this series of videos, he uses pvc plumbing fittings

part 1 http://youtu.be/j9knDsi-td8

part 2 http://youtu.be/9s1-AZcPWAA

part 3 http://youtu.be/Bc-KhMl-6ss

part 4 http://youtu.be/F-2SX7bUIlY

part 5 http://youtu.be/kPmygV8t_uo

part 6 http://youtu.be/ridE6PiN5H0

I bought a few bits of flexible exhaust pipe and bent it to shape. Then ran the MIG along the tubes so it held the shape and copied it in stainless.

I've seen things like the ones in the first link before - they are often used by manifold manufacturers in the states for 'mail order' custom manifolds
(they lend you the kit, you build what you want in plastic and send it back to them, they send you the finished metal part and an invoice with a big number on it)


they are a nice toy, but a lot of money and as above you can make something that functions just as well from cheap plumbing fittings or just go strait to steel

Thought provoking.

It did make me think. "In a world where CAD doesn't exist, that would be really useful".

Alternatively, if it is just for custom examples, then.
Why not make the kit out of stainless, then you just weld that together.

I like the set of videos from stainless headers, the idea of mocking it up with plumbing pipe seems the cheapest way to do it.

This is the first time I've tried anything like this, so I expect to make plenty of mistakes, so the push fitting and cheapness of plumbing pipe definitely appeals!

All I need to do now is read a bunch of websites and books to figure out the best length, diameter, 4-2-1 or 4-1 setup, etc. etc.

I guess if I thought this was going to be easy I wouldn't have bothered. Thanks to everyone for their comments and suggestions.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/10423819_645439978879935_5383456274210560696_n.jpg

that's a custom made headder

Can't help thinking a computer is going to be much easier to model it on, then chop up and spec bends for.

Even first-time engineering students don't really bugger it up enough to leave "piles of scrap metal" as their catalogue suggests they were?

[Edited on 13/6/14 by coyoteboy]

We decided the best way was to get someone else to do it

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[Edited on 13/6/14 by SCAR]

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Originally posted by SCAR
We decided the best way was to get someone else to do it

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[Edited on 13/6/14 by SCAR]

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I just bought a cheap kit (unused 2nd hand, but similar to the cheap ones on ebay). Then after playing around on sketchup and cad to get some ideas - i just cracked on.









Not as neat as a fancy tig'd pro one, but once its painted and wrapped should work quite well, and only cost me £40 in parts.

Nigel at NRP Exhausts in Bilsthorpe Notts made a fantastic job of ours complete from fixing plates to re packable silencer, well pleased
NRP EXHAUSTS

I used Tony Law Exhausts in Leeds

Top bloke he make custom headers and Exhausts to suit any thing.