copper exhaust for a gas engine?

[86c20]

like the title says me and my dad are thinking about runing a 3 inch copper exhaust for are 67 chevelle that we are redoing ground up. just want to know what you guys think thats all.the first to try it will be me on my c20 that needs a system. my father is a plummer so the soldering is no problem

thanks, mike

[Irish's_79_Step]

I think you may be better off brazing it, but you'll get a better appearance with the solder. i think it would be pretty cool i want to do my front end in copper.

[71swb4x4]

Sounds expensive and heavy. Be careful soldering close to the manifolds, would be a bad day to have the solder get hot and let loose while you were driving.

[Redcap]

Why?

[86c20]

why are we doing it? cause we can and its something different. we where thinking silver soildering the collectors or brazing it. the cost is close to a 1000$ but it would be that for a stainless system by the time we get the car to where they make it as we have a diff trans and fuel cell to go around means custom made. as far as the the weight goes i dont know yet but well find out soon. thanks, mike

[cory d]

are yo doing headers too? the header will glow chery red at about 1500F so thats not much wiggle room for copper. running rich would help keep is cool

[MalibuSSwagon]

different isn't always desirable or better.

[bucannon]

i say go for it! be sure to post pictures

[motornut]

i think it would bend, ding,collapse easier,being copper
but interesting idea

[Redcap]

Originally Posted by MalibuSSwagon

different isn't always desirable or better.

Yup.

[71swb4x4]

It will tarnish and lose the cool factor quite soon I would think. Then it won't look as cool, it will just be exhaust pipes.

I agree with most of what has been said already, but that doesn't mean it couldn't be cool. At $1,000 though you should look at it pretty hard before you pull the trigger.

[Redcap]

If it is going to cost so much, why not just buy a nice set of stainless headers and be done with it? Then there are no worries about deformation (hot copper deforms MUCH easier than cold copper) or the solder melting out (look up the temperatures for silver solder, they are pretty low).

[RandyP]

Damn sure would have to be careful on who knew it had copper exhaust under it. You would be very likely to walk out and fire it up and wonder why it was so loud.

[86c20]

yea the hole theft thing is true but the rate is low where i live and the car is locked up in a shop with a man that has MANNY guns lol. the headers will be hooker super comps not copper as i dont thinnk there would be any way in hell the copper would hold up. as far as the tranish they have a clear coat for copper but dont know how that will work with the heat. thanks, mike

[INSIDIOUS '86]

I would think that the exhaust gasses would eat through the copper pretty quick. Not to mention the heat would tarnish it quick. And brazing is the only way of making sure your joints won't melt off as well. I've melted soldering on exhaust before.
If anything why not just do a copper tailpipe and just brasso it constantly
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Brain fart: run copper covers over the headers And pipe like a Harley's chrome covers?

[cory d]

or even just copper tips

[Slonaker]

I think copper will crack and fail eventually from the vibration and engine movement.

Slonaker

[nekkidhillbilly]

scrappers would steal it first chance they could

[Goldfinger]

Copper pipes would look amazing especially when the heat discolors it for that rainbow look.The only thing would be the headers since it would be the hottest part.

[boatpuller]

i don't know if it work or not.i do know they make copper manifold gaskets.

[cory d]

polished copper coolant/heater lines would be cool

[76k10]

Copper turns into dirt when overheated. Terrible idea.

[smashingchuck]

the stainless pipe was the cheapest part of my exhaust system, about 150 for 2 sticks....
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[mud.man.rj]

You know it sounds real cool but I work with copper gas lines all the time and they won't hold up to heat, it will get real hard and crack and the coating will burn off (won't take heat either) and turn green but you know maybe, just maybe run copper tailpipes, not as much heat back there, who actually looks under anyway, most just see the tailpipes.

[cory d]

i think copper tubes for the radiator hoses and heater lines would be cool. witha bit of rubber at ehch end of coarse. that would let you still use the copper and keep it safe from heat, it would also help cool the water down too