Hi guys,

Silly question here, I've noticed that all the surge tanks, catch cans and other bits and pieces that you can buy off the shelf are made from alloy.

I want to build my own surge tank and water to air intercooler overflow as I've got a few things I want to try and incorporate together in mine.

However, I am under the impression that to weld alloy effectively you need to be able to TIG it with AC. I don't currently own a welder, but would like to soon, so I can go either TIG or MIG. I can't, however, find a TIG that'll work on 10 amp (restricted by the house we are in) that has AC capabilities.

So my question is, can I make the tanks out of stainless steel instead? Stainless I should be able to MIG yes? Is the only difference (in a practical sense I mean) the weight between the two materials? Keep in mind one will be holding fuel, the other water and coolant.


Look forward to your responses.

Cheers,
Nic

i'm not sure about the rules and regulations regarding registered vehicles is, but i'm guessing the ones at autobarn aren't adr approved either. having got that out of the way....

from a metallurgical point of view theres no reason you can't use either. i think the trend with ally is that it's light. and a hole lot of staino tanks in your car will weigh a bit. also with injected cars i believe you need double flared type screw fittings as opposed to the barb/clamp arrangement for fuel hardware. most people can tig steel/staino to an acceptable standard with relative ease, alot of people find ally harder & more expensive to setup. Running costs are actually quite comparable (same gas & similar priced consumables). although it's alot easier to work ally than staino.

my personal opinion is get a tig, i've seen expensive 3 phase ally migs that aren't much good untill more money is spent on expensive push pull mechanisms etc. it's expensive to do right because it's nothing like mig welding steel/stainless. tigs however can be purchased fairly cheap.even ally ones. also easier to make a sealing weld with a tig. i could go on all day but it's your choice

Thanks for that mate.

The biggest problem I am coming up against with the TIG is that I am restricted to 10amp. I can get DC ones but not AC.

I do need AC to TIG alloy don't I?

you certainly do. got an air con at home ? alot of houses have 15 amp outlets for this purpose.can run a lead out. I know your problem. not many work sites have 15amp power either but people still manage

ha ha nice, love your thinking. Seems I do have access to 15 amp then.

just looked at your location.... i'd hope you have air con lol