Mandrel Bend? WTF?

I have the 3" tips on my car...check my website for pics. As far as the bends, you have mandrel bends and compression bends. Unfortunately, when I was exhaust shopping a few years ago, I purchased my catback kit with compression bent pipes. Comp bends leave the crimps in the pipe from where the metal is bending. Thats what the exh guy you talked to was alluding to. That can create a slight restriction in the flow of the exh gases. On the inside of the tube, its just not as smooth as a mandrel bend is. Just do a simple search on some mustang shops website for a V8 catback kit and look at the pipes. They are completely smooth and you cant see anywhere any signs of the metal bending or crimping or whatever you want to call it. If I can get a pic tomorrow of mine, I'll post it up and show you what the comp bent looks like.

Press bending is supposed to reduce airflow by as much as 35%....go with Madrel Bends...

I have the exact same setup, except for 2.5" tips, and I paid $300.

Mandrel bend all the way. keeps it one size all the way around the bend.

500 is far to much to pay... you could save a ton by buying a pace setter dual exhasut adapter ( you cut off the pipes right before teh Y pipe and weld this on) then buy a gt take off exhaust or a gt cat back of your choice and have him bolt it in place. very easy and will save you a ton of money.