What's the thickness of metal to use for the exhaust manifold flage?

[Toahk]

1/2" ? I cant cut anything thicker than 5/8, will 1/2" steel be good enough or should I go thick as possible?

[daniel240]

1/2'' is plenty thick. i know mines not any thicker than that.

[Toahk]

Thanks, what did you use to cut out yours? I will be tracing the exhaust manifold gasket onto a sheet of paper and using an electronic plasma cutter to follow the lines. Then will use a pneumatic air grinder to smooth out the holes, and a 40 ton press for the smaller holes (bolt hole's mainly), does that sound like a good plan?

[sxseguy]

I had a 4-bolt Garrett turbine discharge flange (for GT and Ballistic series turbos), 3" 2-bolt exhaust flange, and Nissan-style 3-bolt 2.5" flanges cut from 3/8" stainless with a CNC high-definition plasma cutter, and I'm pretty happy with the results. The plasma cut edges are a little rougher than laser-cut, but it's strictly cosmetic. All bolt holes were drilled, and the center holes were bored.

[daniel240]

plasma cutter will work great. i bought my flange from someone who had an extra, so i didnt have to cut it. but after i welded the pipes on to the flange, it warped a little and i had to take it to a machine shop when i was finished to have them grind it flat so it would meet up good w/ the block.