Exhaust expander

[MrSchaeferPants]

Anyone use one? Or even better have one and is local?

I got my 20 degree elbow in so I can attach my monstrosity creation to my Y pipe, but I need one end to be 2 1/2" OD to slip on the Y pipe. Wonder if it's worth while to buy one, or is it something I should heat the metal first, or would it be fine since I'm only going from ID to OD 2 1/2".

Muffler shops are closed today otherwise I'd call them and see if they can do it for me if the price was reasonable, and chop 1" off. But if they wanna price gouge me to the point where I could spend a few bucks more and buy the tool, I'd go that route.

Also, if anyone needs to do what I'm doing, now this thread'll be searchable since I had to try a few things first until I came up with 20 degrees. Perhaps 18 degrees. But this'll work. Like a clown I bought a 45, then a 60, THEN came up with the idea to measure the angle, all I had was a plasic speed square. Long story. Anyway, thoughts?

 

[imiceman44]

I got mine from Harbor freight, 3 sizes,

Anyone use one? Or even better have one and is local?

I got my 20 degree elbow in so I can attach my monstrosity creation to my Y pipe, but I need one end to be 2 1/2" OD to slip on the Y pipe. Wonder if it's worth while to buy one, or is it something I should heat the metal first, or would it be fine since I'm only going from ID to OD 2 1/2".

Muffler shops are closed today otherwise I'd call them and see if they can do it for me if the price was reasonable, and chop 1" off. But if they wanna price gouge me to the point where I could spend a few bucks more and buy the tool, I'd go that route.

Also, if anyone needs to do what I'm doing, now this thread'll be searchable since I had to try a few things first until I came up with 20 degrees. Perhaps 18 degrees. But this'll work. Like a clown I bought a 45, then a 60, THEN came up with the idea to measure the angle, all I had was a plasic speed square. Long story. Anyway, thoughts?

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

Ya did some research. Some suggest heating the pipe. Gotta look into it, another forum someone said you could rent them from autozone. Put it in and tighten it, put some rubber bands on it to hold the pieces, heat it, and expand it. So if I can rent one sweet, just gotta figure out how to heat it since I don't have oxy/acetylene. Or wait till monday to see if a shop will do it for a reasonable price. Which is hard, since I'm compulsive. Read that sometime it splits the pipe if you don't heat it, but usually not for a slip fitting, only people who are trying to expand it more than they're supposed to.

 

[K85 Octane]

I've seen them for rent at Oriellys. You have to weight the cost of renting vs. buying. Might be pretty cheap @ harbor freight. I wouldn't sweat it, if you think you'll use the tool later, buy it. And don't heat it, just open it up large enough for the slip, don't balloon it like an exhaust tip

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

...just open it up large enough for the slip, don't balloon it like an exhaust tip

Ya I know what it can and can't do. I got a kick outa reading some forums where some clowns were like 'ya I don't know why it won't expand enough and keeps ripping out the hole, it says it goes from 2" to 3 1/2"'

 

[K85 Octane]

hahaha
oo that was good

 

[ryoken]

i bought the fancy snappie one off eghey yrs ago for $14, brand new...

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

i bought the fancy snappie one off eghey yrs ago for $14, brand new...

Ya, and I could do that, except for the finding, waiting to ship part.
One of my downfalls... I WANT IT NOW, NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW.
Awful trait, cause it's only when it comes to cars, when 99.9% of the time it's good to be patient.

 

[ryoken]

i bought it cuz it was a smokin deal,, and didn't end up using it for over 2 yrs....

 

[imiceman44]

Ya, and I could do that, except for the finding, waiting to ship part.
One of my downfalls... I WANT IT NOW, NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW.
Awful trait, cause it's only when it comes to cars, when 99.9% of the time it's good to be patient.

That's why I walked in to HF and they had them on sale, I walked out with all three sizes for under $15.
I hate buying online and waiting I want my stuff now.

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

That's why I walked in to HF and they had them on sale, I walked out with all three sizes for under $15.
I hate buying online and waiting I want my stuff now.

$15? I gotta goto HF today. I was under the impression they ranged from 30 for cheapo to 60. Looks like I'ma get me an expander today.

Just looked online, $13.99 at HF for the 2 1/8 - 3 1/4. Guess I know what I'm doing today

 

[imiceman44]

$15? I gotta goto HF today. I was under the impression they ranged from 30 for cheapo to 60. Looks like I'ma get me an expander today.

Just looked online, $13.99 at HF for the 2 1/8 - 3 1/4. Guess I know what I'm doing today

Yeah I got mine when they had them 75% off.

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

So got the expander today, broke the tool. Threads stripped. Knew I should of heated it first. Left the reciept in my buddies truck, so either I go buy a new one or take it to a shop. Don't feel like forking out $80+ for an oxy/acetylene kit. Maybe $20 for one of those propane tank flamethrowers, dunno how well it'll heat the pipe though.

 

[K85 Octane]

I don't believe it and I'll bet it's not in any kind of directions with the tool..."preheat pipe...."
Man that's serious BS right there. Dammit
I would think a map gas torch would be enough, but so far I've been wrong about needing heat. Doesn't the tool have rubberbands going around the outside of it? Hows that supposed to hold up against heat? Especially if a torch isn't enough.

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

LOL, directions? The packaging doesn't even have a brand name on it, and by brand I don't mean quality, I mean it doesn't even have a company. Only paperwork comes with it is a picture of all the seperate pieces.

What I've read, and I think someone said it here too. Use rubber bands. It comes with two o-rings. Replace the o-rings with rubber bands, once you're don't expanding it, put new ones on, or your o-rings back on. Whatever happens, gotta wait till Friday

 

[owenst7]

I got mine from Harbor freight, 3 sizes,

The smallest one is AWESOME for pushing dents out of radiator necks.

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

The 14oz mapp cylinders, do they use the same nozzle as propane torches?

 

[ryoken]

yes.... and for the record, tho they run about $30, 40, the auto lighting benzo torches rule...

i use mine every day this time of yr for thawing padlocks and such... i'd never use one of the non-igniting ones again...

 

[imiceman44]

LOL, directions? The packaging doesn't even have a brand name on it, and by brand I don't mean quality, I mean it doesn't even have a company. Only paperwork comes with it is a picture of all the seperate pieces.

What I've read, and I think someone said it here too. Use rubber bands. It comes with two o-rings. Replace the o-rings with rubber bands, once you're don't expanding it, put new ones on, or your o-rings back on. Whatever happens, gotta wait till Friday

Did you lube the tube first?
I know they are not the best quality, but I would at least get a couple of uses out of them.
Anyway I know with HF you have a warranty, at least 30 days.

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

Did you lube the tube first?
I know they are not the best quality, but I would at least get a couple of uses out of them.
Anyway I know with HF you have a warranty, at least 30 days.

No. Greased the threads and where the metal pieces rub against ... the uh, other metal pieces. Not the tube though. However it was still slightly oiled up from the company that bent it.

Those expensive torch tips work any better as far as how much flame it puts out or anything? I just bought the cylinder for $9, saw the kit for like 39.95.. and then just the nozzle, no tank for 45.99 I just have the torch from my propane tank.