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How to Make a Tuned Pipe

Tuned pipes are most commonly used in remote controlled or RC cars, boats and airplanes. A tuned pipe is attached to the vehicle's exhaust and enhances the performances, if installed correctly. The pipe uses the exhaust from the two-cycle engine to create a positive pressure wave and boost the vehicle's performance.

Things You'll Need

RC tachometer
Silicone tubing
Forming carbon fiber, 2-by-2 twill
Dowel rod
2 wood blocks
Scissors
Epoxy resin
Resin hardener
Heavy duty shears
Tape measure
Oven

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the RPMs of the RC vehicle with a tachometer. Some vehicles have tachometers installed. RC hobby shops carry external tachometers. Attach the tachometer as described on the package and put the vehicle in neutral. If the RC vehicle does not have a neutral setting you can still run the test. Apply as much power to the engine as possible and record the readings.
- 2
  Measure the exhaust of the vehicle and purchase 1 to 2 inches of heat-resistant silicone tubing that will fit snugly around the exhaust.
- 3
  Slide the silicone tubing over a dowel rod the size of the exhaust. Balance the dowel rod on the wood blocks to hold the tubing while the carbon fiber is added.
- 4
  Mix the epoxy resin and hardener following the instructions on the hardener. Use high-temperature epoxy resin. Apply a coat of epoxy around the entire tube. Allow the epoxy to get tacky before continuing.
- 5
  Wrap the carbon fabric around the tube. Press the fabric in so that it forms tightly around the tube. Cut off any excess fabric.
- 6
  Apply another coat of epoxy and hardener and apply another coat of fabric. Repeat this process until the tube is covered with five layers of fabric.
- 7
  Heat the silicone tube in the oven to cure the epoxy. The epoxy package will have information on how long to cure the epoxy and at what temperature.
- 8
  Slide the tube on the exhaust of the RC vehicle and push in as far as it will slide.
- 9
  Run another RPM test with the tachometer. Compare the new reading with the previous reading. The RPM should be with in 10 of the original reading. If it is new reading is more than 10 RPMs less than the initial reading, additional adjustments need to be made. To make adjustments, cut ¼ inch of the end of the tube with the heavy duty shears. Do the RPM test again and continue to make adjustments until the reading is within 10 RPMs of the original reading.

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