[Shop-talk] Aluminum exhaust tubing?

[shochschild at att.net]

Seems to me you are missing the big picture.  This is the perfect 
opportunity to buy a lathe...


On 1/9/2012 7:29 PM, Obaa wrote:
> Mildly esoteric question.. Can aluminum tubing be used in an exhaust?
>
> Details:  I have a "vintage" motorcycle ('86 Suzuki GSXR-1100); it is pristine
> (since I am the original owner :)  It's had a aftermarket Yoshimura stainless
> exhaust for it's entire life, though I've had to repack the baffle numerous
> times.  The header and midpipe are in perfect shape, being SS, but at this
> point, the inner core of the baffle has disintegrated, and Yoshimura no longer
> offers the parts for repair.
> The midpipe is 2" o.d.; the available replacement
> baffle is 2.25" i.d.  Otherwise, everything would go together perfectly.  I
> originally thought of getting a piece of SS tubing with 2" i.d. x 2.25" o.d.
> dimensions to slip the parts together, but I could not find such a pipe.  Then
> I thought maybe get a strip of SS plate .125" thick, until I realized I could
> not form it that nicely/tightly.  Then I saw that aluminum tubing is available
> in that dimension.  My concern are if it would hold up to the heat (I would
> think so, given that baffles are made of aluminum), if the heat expansion
> issues might cause a problem (it'll be sandwiched by SS), and if there might
> be a corrosion issue (dissimilar metals, etc.).  Do you think it would work,
> or should I try coming up with something else?
> _______________________________________________
>
> Shop-talk at autox.team.net
> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Suggested annual donation  $12.96
> Archive: http://www.team.net/archive
> Forums: http://www.team.net/forums
> Unsubscribe/Manage: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/shochschild@att.net