The alternative been get everything tacked in strong and then take it somewhere and have it welded up.
as for how it's run, Think outside the box. If you have to do some fabricating under the car to run the pipe a bit straighter so be it.
Turbos LOVE flow. ideally you would just trumpet it to atmosphere. so straighter the better.
But really you probably wont notice the difference as long as the bends are clean. the bigger difference will be the weight of your wallet. 3 bends cost more then none by alot, straight pipe is half the cost of a bend.
Good luck, and enjoy welding under your car
(what am i saying, No you wont. been there and it fkn sucks.)
No I'm not welding under my car. No chance in hell given it is not on a hoist
. I'm using my existing 2.5 inch exhaust as a template. I think it will be pretty close so I'm happy. Just have to fit it under the car to see.
Welding takes a lot of practice. I purchased gas. It is worth it but your setup can cost a bit. Say at least $200 for regulator and gas tank.
My welds are coming a long better. I realised today I wasn't welding at all but doing continuos tack welds. It still holds the exhaust solid and you can't break it and the holes are filled but it is time consuming. Its going to take me a few more days to get it right. Cutting the pipe to fit is also a bitch. I definitely respect exhaust workshops more after this experience
. However didn't have much choice in the end. Either tow the car get it done and get it towed back equals the same price as what I have paid. Plus I have a few other things I want to weld and make for the U12 (little things but welding will be the best option for these).
Thanks for the input guys. Any tips keep them coming.