TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
- ob wan
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TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
I'm looking into manufacturing exhausts, downpipes and boostpipes from stainless steel, what does the need in the market look like? would it keep me busy?
will be in the centurion area
will be in the centurion area
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- Aslam_mk4
- SO FLUFFY, WE ALL GONNA DIE!
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Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
If your prices are good and the quality is great you would go far
Word of mouth is where it's at nowadays in business
Word of mouth is where it's at nowadays in business
Bagged mk4 2dr
"Ride or die"
"Ride or die"
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- Cadet
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Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
if you become the go to guy on the forum for stainless exhausts that will generate a decent stream of clients.
Do you have a shop currently?
Do you have a shop currently?
- panic-mechanic
- Panic's Place
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Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
As a sideline you will survive. As your only income, don't think the market is big enough in southa frica and it will take a long time and a lot of work and word of mouth before somebody with a million and some bmw will drop it there and order an obwan instead of an acrapovic.
Too much snob value to rather import milltek and acra in this country although i think it is stupid and over rated.
Too much snob value to rather import milltek and acra in this country although i think it is stupid and over rated.
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10
Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10
Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
- ob wan
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Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
planning on getting a shop sometime soon, with a lift, all the other groceries I already have
05 G5 Gti (ex)
97 LSvtec (ex)
05 Ford Ranger 4.0 V6
Mk1 velo 2.0 16v...Turbo
97 LSvtec (ex)
05 Ford Ranger 4.0 V6
Mk1 velo 2.0 16v...Turbo
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- Cadet
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Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
What is your capacity for work currently?
Panic has some good points, most guys only ever need a good full exhaust once per project
Panic has some good points, most guys only ever need a good full exhaust once per project
- ob wan
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Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
currently not very busy coz I don't have floor space, but I'm busy negotiating for a spot in a workshop with a lift, then I can tackle it full steam
05 G5 Gti (ex)
97 LSvtec (ex)
05 Ford Ranger 4.0 V6
Mk1 velo 2.0 16v...Turbo
97 LSvtec (ex)
05 Ford Ranger 4.0 V6
Mk1 velo 2.0 16v...Turbo
- ob wan
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Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
Maybe just some background, I used to work for an exhaust company for about 4 years when I was younger, so I now the inner workings of gas flow and all that, the types of exh's that I want to build will be the specialist type, not just freeflows for tazz's and citi's...
have built my fair share of exh's and boostpipes in the past, just never had a TIG to do clean welds like just a TIG welder can do, now I'm almost surgical with it...
have built my fair share of exh's and boostpipes in the past, just never had a TIG to do clean welds like just a TIG welder can do, now I'm almost surgical with it...
05 G5 Gti (ex)
97 LSvtec (ex)
05 Ford Ranger 4.0 V6
Mk1 velo 2.0 16v...Turbo
97 LSvtec (ex)
05 Ford Ranger 4.0 V6
Mk1 velo 2.0 16v...Turbo
- panic-mechanic
- Panic's Place
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Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
Lift You can get second hand around 10-15k if you look around.
Shop costs rent see if you can't backyard it for a while.
It's that rent that kills you in the beginning.
Shop costs rent see if you can't backyard it for a while.
It's that rent that kills you in the beginning.
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10
Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10
Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
- ob wan
- Cadet
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Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
backyarding it will be ideal, want to lay down a concrete slab for the lift, I really want to work from home... just scared of the "back yard" stereo type created...
05 G5 Gti (ex)
97 LSvtec (ex)
05 Ford Ranger 4.0 V6
Mk1 velo 2.0 16v...Turbo
97 LSvtec (ex)
05 Ford Ranger 4.0 V6
Mk1 velo 2.0 16v...Turbo
- amstel18
- Lieutenant-Colonel
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Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
Don't be scared. It's going to be a word of mouth business in any case as your average joe isn't going to pay good prices for their tazz...ob wan wrote:backyarding it will be ideal, want to lay down a concrete slab for the lift, I really want to work from home... just scared of the "back yard" stereo type created...
I've seen some of the better jobs coming out of a back yard. Then there use to be a tuning shop in CPT that you could eat from the floor type of place and I only heard bad things about it.
So ja, you don't need a grand setup in the beginning... Just document your past work which you could send/share as reference.
Cause if I was in the market and you can show me this:
Then you better be sure to provide that and not this whilst promising the above
Good luck with the venture!
Current:
2022 GWM P-Series LT 4x4
Ex:
2018 VW Tiguan Allspace
2013 Audi A3 Sportback 1.8 TFSI S-Tronic
2015 Pure White 1.2tsi Comfortline
2011 2L BiTdi ROK D/C Highline
2006 Seat Ibiza Cupra TDI
91 Caddy, ADY motor on mp9, wildcat 4-1 branch and 50mm Evolution s/s exhaust
96 1600 Chico (sold)
2022 GWM P-Series LT 4x4
Ex:
2018 VW Tiguan Allspace
2013 Audi A3 Sportback 1.8 TFSI S-Tronic
2015 Pure White 1.2tsi Comfortline
2011 2L BiTdi ROK D/C Highline
2006 Seat Ibiza Cupra TDI
91 Caddy, ADY motor on mp9, wildcat 4-1 branch and 50mm Evolution s/s exhaust
96 1600 Chico (sold)
- THANAS
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Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
There is definitely a market for reasonably priced, bolt on turbo manifolds/boost pipe and cooler kits. Many people want turbo and cooler/piping upgrades but are wary of having the car sit for weeks while manifolds and piping are made from scratch. The result is the use of inefficient cast systems or importing from eBay. Vehicle specific and turbo specific bolt on kits are where it is at.
I.e. Bottom mounted GT28 tubular manifold for PGTi/1.8T. And boost pipe/cooler kits that actually fit and don't require grills and crash bars to be cut.
It takes more RnD to make but in the end that time is saved once the jigs are made. The future is in well made bolt on kits.
I.e. Bottom mounted GT28 tubular manifold for PGTi/1.8T. And boost pipe/cooler kits that actually fit and don't require grills and crash bars to be cut.
It takes more RnD to make but in the end that time is saved once the jigs are made. The future is in well made bolt on kits.
- panic-mechanic
- Panic's Place
- Posts: 26715
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- Location: Benoni, putfontein.
Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
Problem with bolt on kits are that they are turbo specific. so you dictate what turbo has to be used..
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10
Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10
Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
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- Enlisted
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Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
I agree with Panic, do it from home for now so you don't over commit. Spend some time marketing your stuff on social and digital media, if you do it well people will recommend you. Kits like intercooler kits, throttle, discharge, down pipes, etc are also a good place to look into. There will be more money there than custom BT manifolds.
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- chucker02
- Captain
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- Car Make: VW
- Car Model: Citi ADY
- Location: Bloemfontein
Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
Yes please, someone needs to start building these kits properlyTHANAS wrote:There is definitely a market for reasonably priced, bolt on turbo manifolds/boost pipe and cooler kits. Many people want turbo and cooler/piping upgrades but are wary of having the car sit for weeks while manifolds and piping are made from scratch. The result is the use of inefficient cast systems or importing from eBay. Vehicle specific and turbo specific bolt on kits are where it is at.
I.e. Bottom mounted GT28 tubular manifold for PGTi/1.8T. And boost pipe/cooler kits that actually fit and don't require grills and crash bars to be cut.
It takes more RnD to make but in the end that time is saved once the jigs are made. The future is in well made bolt on kits.
Current:
2006 Citi Golf 2E, Dictator, 4-2-1
Ex:
2003 Audi A3 1.8t, Thanas Tuned, FMIC, coilies, DP and exhaust
2007 Citi golf. ADY with Spitronics 60-2, estas 282, 4-2-1, coilies
Rides thread: http://vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=183329
2002 Citi golf. ADY carb, estas 282, 4-2-1, GW delarey big brake kit.
Rides thread: http://vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=157603
1971 VW beetle
2006 Citi Golf 2E, Dictator, 4-2-1
Ex:
2003 Audi A3 1.8t, Thanas Tuned, FMIC, coilies, DP and exhaust
2007 Citi golf. ADY with Spitronics 60-2, estas 282, 4-2-1, coilies
Rides thread: http://vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=183329
2002 Citi golf. ADY carb, estas 282, 4-2-1, GW delarey big brake kit.
Rides thread: http://vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=157603
1971 VW beetle
- ob wan
- Cadet
- Posts: 522
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- Location: Centurion
Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
managed to secure some space in a shop at Zwartkops (rent free just profit sharing for now) with access to a CNC plasma cutter so I can cut all the necessary flanges, off to the bank next week to get some coins for a lift then it's game time! so the main focus of business will be downpipes, turbo manifolds, exhausts and boost pipes... looking at building rollcages in the near future too...
exciting times ahead
exciting times ahead
05 G5 Gti (ex)
97 LSvtec (ex)
05 Ford Ranger 4.0 V6
Mk1 velo 2.0 16v...Turbo
97 LSvtec (ex)
05 Ford Ranger 4.0 V6
Mk1 velo 2.0 16v...Turbo
- chucker02
- Captain
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- Location: Bloemfontein
Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
Thats awsome bud, all the best with the new venture
Current:
2006 Citi Golf 2E, Dictator, 4-2-1
Ex:
2003 Audi A3 1.8t, Thanas Tuned, FMIC, coilies, DP and exhaust
2007 Citi golf. ADY with Spitronics 60-2, estas 282, 4-2-1, coilies
Rides thread: http://vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=183329
2002 Citi golf. ADY carb, estas 282, 4-2-1, GW delarey big brake kit.
Rides thread: http://vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=157603
1971 VW beetle
2006 Citi Golf 2E, Dictator, 4-2-1
Ex:
2003 Audi A3 1.8t, Thanas Tuned, FMIC, coilies, DP and exhaust
2007 Citi golf. ADY with Spitronics 60-2, estas 282, 4-2-1, coilies
Rides thread: http://vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=183329
2002 Citi golf. ADY carb, estas 282, 4-2-1, GW delarey big brake kit.
Rides thread: http://vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=157603
1971 VW beetle
- ob wan
- Cadet
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Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
thank you sir, forgot to mention the log type turbo intake manifolds that we'll be building aswell
05 G5 Gti (ex)
97 LSvtec (ex)
05 Ford Ranger 4.0 V6
Mk1 velo 2.0 16v...Turbo
97 LSvtec (ex)
05 Ford Ranger 4.0 V6
Mk1 velo 2.0 16v...Turbo
- stig
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Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
Good luck. Ps. Build some tubular manifolds for BT tdi conversions. Like the darkside ones. Guys would buy them like sweet cakes
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The Ride:
'09 Polo 1.9 TDi 96KW HighLine
Mods: Straight-flow FMIC ,Stainless boost piping, RKmotion tuned, 17" Audi A5 Reps, Cobra coilovers, SMF cutch kit
H&M Dyno Night: 114KW 429NM
Dubrun 2016 Autotrix Durban: 131KW 458NM Wulfchip Stage 2
Blackout 2017 Precision Race Dyno: 120kw and 450NM RK-motion Stage 2
'09 Polo 1.9 TDi 96KW HighLine
Mods: Straight-flow FMIC ,Stainless boost piping, RKmotion tuned, 17" Audi A5 Reps, Cobra coilovers, SMF cutch kit
H&M Dyno Night: 114KW 429NM
Dubrun 2016 Autotrix Durban: 131KW 458NM Wulfchip Stage 2
Blackout 2017 Precision Race Dyno: 120kw and 450NM RK-motion Stage 2
- ob wan
- Cadet
- Posts: 522
- Registered for: 15 years 4 months
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- Car Model: MK1 2.0 16vT
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Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
will definitely look into that, thanksstig wrote:Good luck. Ps. Build some tubular manifolds for BT tdi conversions. Like the darkside ones. Guys would buy them like sweet cakes
Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk
05 G5 Gti (ex)
97 LSvtec (ex)
05 Ford Ranger 4.0 V6
Mk1 velo 2.0 16v...Turbo
97 LSvtec (ex)
05 Ford Ranger 4.0 V6
Mk1 velo 2.0 16v...Turbo
- ob wan
- Cadet
- Posts: 522
- Registered for: 15 years 4 months
- Car Make: VW
- Car Model: MK1 2.0 16vT
- Membership No: missing
- Location: Centurion
Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
image uploading not working....
05 G5 Gti (ex)
97 LSvtec (ex)
05 Ford Ranger 4.0 V6
Mk1 velo 2.0 16v...Turbo
97 LSvtec (ex)
05 Ford Ranger 4.0 V6
Mk1 velo 2.0 16v...Turbo
- stig
- Cadet
- Posts: 654
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- Location: South Africa
Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
U using photobucket?
Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk
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The Ride:
'09 Polo 1.9 TDi 96KW HighLine
Mods: Straight-flow FMIC ,Stainless boost piping, RKmotion tuned, 17" Audi A5 Reps, Cobra coilovers, SMF cutch kit
H&M Dyno Night: 114KW 429NM
Dubrun 2016 Autotrix Durban: 131KW 458NM Wulfchip Stage 2
Blackout 2017 Precision Race Dyno: 120kw and 450NM RK-motion Stage 2
'09 Polo 1.9 TDi 96KW HighLine
Mods: Straight-flow FMIC ,Stainless boost piping, RKmotion tuned, 17" Audi A5 Reps, Cobra coilovers, SMF cutch kit
H&M Dyno Night: 114KW 429NM
Dubrun 2016 Autotrix Durban: 131KW 458NM Wulfchip Stage 2
Blackout 2017 Precision Race Dyno: 120kw and 450NM RK-motion Stage 2
- 1.8iblackie
- Lieutenant
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- ob wan
- Cadet
- Posts: 522
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Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
yesstig wrote:U using photobucket?
Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk
05 G5 Gti (ex)
97 LSvtec (ex)
05 Ford Ranger 4.0 V6
Mk1 velo 2.0 16v...Turbo
97 LSvtec (ex)
05 Ford Ranger 4.0 V6
Mk1 velo 2.0 16v...Turbo
- ob wan
- Cadet
- Posts: 522
- Registered for: 15 years 4 months
- Car Make: VW
- Car Model: MK1 2.0 16vT
- Membership No: missing
- Location: Centurion
Re: TIG Welded exhausts and downpipes
05 G5 Gti (ex)
97 LSvtec (ex)
05 Ford Ranger 4.0 V6
Mk1 velo 2.0 16v...Turbo
97 LSvtec (ex)
05 Ford Ranger 4.0 V6
Mk1 velo 2.0 16v...Turbo