Hey guys,

I just got my BR front mount yesterday and i was just putting it on in my car. Everything was going smoothly. Fasteners came off easily, old front mount came off, piping came off easy, put the new front mount on. Then as I was going to put on my upper intercooler piping, I noticed the inlet got BENT!!?? I have absolutely no idea how it got bent, but it was bent pretty bad. I tried to straighten it up a bit, but i'm no blacksmith. Is this going to be safe driving gently with until I can afford new piping? I really can't afford the BR upper pipes and battery right now and buying another stock pipe seems stupid if i'm going to just buy the pipe later on.

Here's some pics of my "blacksmithing"

http://www.amt-racing.com/oops0001.jpg
http://www.amt-racing.com/oops0002.jpg

I honestly have no idea how this happened

Shane

 

the only thing i would worry about is a boost leak due to an incomplete seal. if possible, try to slide the black piece down a bit further on that pipe so you can put the clamp around a section that's still mostly round. just tighten it really well and it should be fine. when are you planning on getting the buschur upper pipe? something to consider instead of the mini battery is a relocation kit. It's cheaper, balances weight better, and frees up even more room in the engine bay. that what i did. Just a thought. after you put it back on, start the car and put your hand around the seal to see if you feel any leaks. If you have someone with you, get them to tap the gas a little bit. I think you will be ok, expecially if you drive it carefully.

 

Yeah... I tried to bend it back as best as I can.

Where could I pick up a relocation kit? I was really considering that to even out the messed up weight ratio.

You have a PMSG

Shane

 

Ouch. That really sucks (And is rather odd).

Good luck getting it fixed. I hope you won't have to draw from the AEM EMS Fund.

 

Looks like someone ran it over, with all those scratches on it. Did you leave it behind someone's car while you were working on your's?
Just a thought.
Sorry for your misfortune. Maybe try the Unorthodox Racing hard pipe kit? I don't think you have to relocate the battery with that one.
Good luck.

 

I have a suggestion, this worked for me a long time ago in a similiar situation, should make almost good as new.

Go to a hardware store with a good plumbing section, find some nice thick steel pipe, maybe one size a little smaller and one around the same size to slightly bigger (but with a thick wall). Two 12" steel pipe should be less than $10, and they have many uses if you like to fabricate.
Put the smaller steel pipe in a vice, put the damaged aluminum pipe over it, depending on how soft/thick the aluminum pipe is, you should be able to get the general shape back by hand or with a rubber mallot.
Now your going take the larger steel pipe and ground down the outside edge, taper it enough so that the steel pipe will fit inside. Then put it in your vice, and start pushing and twisting. You can also cut your tappered steel pipe short (maybe 6") and holding the aluminum in your hand, gently tap the steel pipe in with a hammer. Just leave enough of the pipe out so that you can put it in a vice and twist/pull it back out.
If you can get just the right size steel pipe, this should be able to get the shape back. Oh and use a little grease to help things go smoothly.

I hope this made sense and is useful for you, otherwise you can mayby find someone with upgraded intercooler piping who would sell you their stock piece cheap. I would not use that pipe in it's current condition.

Good luck,

Ye old black smith

 

Shane ...try this cut the bent part of it and put a silicone hose on top. Try this site...they make custom silicone hoses www.turbohoses.com/index.html

 

A muffler shop can repair it. They have mandrels that fit in the pipe to push it out.

 

Or you can run to pep boys and get a pipe expander tool for about 25 bucks. It can expand the bends and make the damaged pipe non existent.

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys, i'm going to try out Silver's suggestion, then see if I can find that pipe expander tool. I don't know of any decent muffler shops around here that could do it on the fly.

Silicone hoses I would go for, but I already have plans on the new upper pipe

Thanks buddies!

 

Whoa, I hadn't seen that pipe expander tool, learn somthing new every day. My method will work but you need to find the right size pipe and grind it, cut it... This tool looks like it would be quick and easy, and I found one here for $18, and it's right in the size range you need.
The only question is how well it will work on soft aluminun pipe, as far as giving a perfect round shape, but it looks like it will work.
I don't know Deceit, I think you might be better off trying this tool first. Sometimes places like O'rileys have tools like this and they will let you borrow them for free (just leave a deposit). Although for $25 this looks like a tool I might have in my garage.

Thanks for the tip Quickshift

 

Np man I had damaged an exhuast pipe on my old car and found this tool and it worked so well !! Also with the expander you do not need to tighten it up much due the the soft aluminum of the piping ,but it will straighten it out well .

 

just go to autozone....they rent them out in ohio at most of them....can do it in 5 minutes with a half inch ratchet or impact
Dave