Mandrel Pipes?

[scof0elife]

I have a 2001 V6 Camaro 3.8L and I want to replace my pipes that connect from my cat to my muffler to 3". A muffler shop here has 3" for $110 out the door with installation included. But the pipes are no mandrel bend but that is a great price.

How important is it to have mandrel bend pipes? Will I lose performance? Will the flow sound weird?

I know that summitracing.com sells them for about $110 with shipping. But if I do that they will charge me $45 for installation which is a total of $155. What should I do guys?

Also they will also special order the 3" tailpipes for me which will cost $45 for each tailpipe. Does anyone know where I can get 3" tailpipes for less?

I did a search on mandrel pipes and no one really gave a good explanation why mandrel is better.

[99davenport]

custom bent pipes can have crimps in them which will actually prevent exhaust flow. Mandrel bent pipes have no crimps and are 3" throghout the bends

[grayman]

they crimp the pipes A LOT when they DONT use a mandrel bender. It might be a waist of time. They will also not be replacing your stock S pipe...which is already mandrel bent from factory...albiet 2.25" diameter. The muffler is still 2.25 in...and you will need new tail pipes if they do replace the muffler....take a look at my website..(in my sig) go the the GUIDES section and read up on the General Exhaust overview page and then also maybe by 3" full conversion write up.

Exhaust shop may not be able to mess with your cat, no yet anyway.

Maybe consider an aftermarket V6 2.5" catback system...comes with tail pipes, hangers, muffler, midpipes, clamps...pretty much everything you need....(if you don't want to do a full 3" conversion)