metal mastery advice needed GSXR.

[SVMAT]

Rightyho, i have recently purchased a set of race pipes for me gsxr750k5 however they have a couple of dents in the headers (one quite substantial). my first question is will this affect performance (my guess is yes) and is there anyway i can get the dent out. I was thinkin weld some stud to centre of dent and use a slide hammer or perhaps seal both ends and heat it up in the assumption that the expanding air inside will push it out :S any help would be much apprecited. Thanks

[barwel1992]

fill with water put in freezer, water expands, job done

[flymo]

I would go with welding a stud to the outside of the dent and pulling it out, grind the stud off afterwards.

[Specialone]

You'll never get that back into shape by using pressure IMO heat or not.

The only way is the way you suggested with a slide hammer, or go to an accident repair garage and bung them a drink and they will probably do it for you.

[SVMAT]

Thanks for the replies. I did doubt the pressure theory (and my freezer isnt that big :S). As for accident repair centre i have a mate who works in one but as far as im aware they only deal with superficial dents where plungers etc are used to pull them out. Or pannels are beaten from inside. I think itl be the stud route..be a bit tricky as its s/s though. Cheerz :)

[toby_smith]

Where are you based mate?

[SVMAT]

I am based in rainham, kent, have spoken to my brother and he thinks he may be able to get a metal worker/ welder to do it at his work. I have had some s/s and ali welding done by him before on my encan and footpeg and he does a pretty good job. I just dont want a hole in the pipe :S

[flymo]

other very similar approach is to drill a small hole in the center of the dent, drive a suitable screw/slide hammer into it. pull the dent out then just weld up the hole.

[Specialone]

The guy who repaired my tank said there was a new thing on the market that glues a rod to to the affected area so you can use it the same way as a slide hammmer.
Decent accident repair places will have equipment where they weld rods that look like rivets to the affected area and they use these with the slide hammer.

[fastdruid]

Rightyho, i have recently purchased a set of race pipes for me gsxr750k5 however they have a couple of dents in the headers (one quite substantial). my first question is will this affect performance (my guess is yes)

Probably not as much as you think. Certainly my SV has quite a hefty dent in the front downpipe[1] and it makes a healthy 79bhp.

Druid

[1] Although should anyone have a spare Akrapovic front downpipe for a curvy.... ;-)