how much to bend heater pipes?

[Rev Engineer]

So, how much bend am I suppose to put into the heater core pipes? Sounds like some people have gotten away without bending them, so I might assume they just need a little bend. Or, is it better to drop the motor in without the intake manifold and then test fits things? Will there be enough room to work with the pipes with the block in?

[Garageaholic]

ok, I have some questions...

What motor are you putting in? m20/m42/m30/m50/s38/s50....etc?

Why would you bend the heater core pipes?

I mean, u gotta b a lil more specific here

[FredK]

Um, this is the M/S5X swap forum. The heater core pipes are sometimes bent for clearance for the intake manfold.

For the OP, I'm not sure, I'm pretty much at the beginnings of a swap.

[Garageaholic]

aah i see, so ur doing it too. I believe they have many writeups about this swap.. have you guys done a search?

[JJ Byzanz]

Just bend them.

I'm kidding. I forgot to bend them and then did it afterwards.
They need to come down a little over 18mm to be safe.
Make sure not to kink them and you're good.

#Edit#
It is less hassle if you build the engine completely out of the car.
My heater core tube might not have had to been bent... but I didn't put the tubes until after the engine was bolted down so I had to bend the tubes to make it easier on myself.

If you don't know what you're doing you might have a tough time with it on.
If you have starter problems, you will want it off.
Also it helps to not have it on because you will be hitting the brake booster and your life will just be difficult.
If you take the time to take it off, clean everything.

I will be doing a full writeup on the install, including general basics of how to hook up the wires, fuel, water, everything correctly.

[DanGillan]

um i never took off my intake manifold even to swap the engine harness and when installing the engine. I also did not bend the heater core pipes.

[Ryan Stewart]

what the fuck happened to my post?

Oh well, like dan I didnt bend mine. Nothing is even near them.

[DanGillan]

exactly.

[BeirBrennerE30]

i took the intake manifold off to drop the motor in... however i saw no need to bend the pipes... i guess if they hit then you should bend them but i would try the fitment first

there is a lot of bad info on this swap out there

[Jason89i]

there is a lot of bad info on this swap out there

agreed!

i, however, did bend the pipes on all of my conversions. i found it was best to bend them parallel with the ground. not too low or it can interfere with the starter if you use the m20 hose. i also bent the lower pipe towards the engine. this offset the hoses so i could have easier access to the hose clamps from the top side......just incase you flip the hoses and the heater doesnt blow warm over 2krpm.....dont ask me how i know. cheers, jason