Cutting/Welding a used waterbox

Need some feedback from experienced welders. I have a TNT box and the inlet location and geometry simply does not work in my hull. I need to bring the inlet side down about 2". Either by lowering the inlet itself or by cutting the bottom of the box. My questions are: 1) can you get a clean, reliable weld on a used Waterbox or will the weld be contaminated? 2) What would be a rough estimate of the cost to do a job like this?


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Need some feedback from experienced welders. I have a TNT box and the inlet location and geometry simply does not work in my hull. I need to bring the inlet side down about 2". Either by lowering the inlet itself or by cutting the bottom of the box. My questions are: 1) can you get a clean, reliable weld on a used Waterbox or will the weld be contaminated? 2) What would be a rough estimate of the cost to do a job like this?


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Can be done but too much work to make it worth while. Just sell it and get a smaller one


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That's kind of what I figured. Hoping someone would say it's a piece of cake and any local welder can knock that out in a day so you can ride by Sunday...


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Location
Stockton
I had to do that to my rrp box on the outlet side. It was fairly easy, I did all the fab, cutting and mock up and then had it welded. Weld came out good and clean, box was also used. Can't remember the weld price though, prolly around $50.

At a retail welding shop the min charge is 1 hour, about $85 depending on the area. So figure $85 or less for the weld. You might want to get a local estimate though, with the fab work to help consume the min hour time span.

I cut a square around the pipe and removed it. got new plate larger than the square I cut out and hole sawed a new 2.5 inch hole n the new plate. Took new pipe in the shape I needed and slid it in the hole in the plate. Marked my locations and had the welder weld it.

In my case there is no retail box to buy, just had to mod it myself to get what I wanted

Not sure on yours

I should add, you'll need to study your box and make sure an inlet mod won't effect water back flow into your pipe or moving the Inlet pipe down wont run into a baffle. Also is removing the bottom of the box easier, thinking would be less work and almost no materials hmm....
 

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Tyler Zane

Open Your Eyes
It can absolutely be done. An experienced welder can clean and reweld it. I've had several boxes fixed or modified.

Here's one from a raider that I chopped up for a js440/701

Screenshot_2016-10-28-05-55-03.png Screenshot_2016-10-28-05-55-26.png

If ya get yours done the way you want, your more likely to get exactly what you want. Buying a different box may present it's own issues.
 

Yami-Rider

TigerCraft FV-PRO
Location
Texoma
Most ppl cut the bottom off those boxes to lower them, and weld a new plate on. The carbon is nasty, but can be cleaned and re-welded. With aluminum and labor, should run you under $100.
 

Vumad

Super Hero, with a cape!
Location
St. Pete, FL
Lots of SXR waterboxes are cut open to have the baffles opened up for 1100 conversions. Raider boxes are also modified for B1 conversions. Imagine how much contaminants are on an almost 30 year old raider box.

Honestly I'm surprised you're not building a waterbox out of carbon. I know carbon is not a good material for a waterbox, but still, you're Nate_D, Carbon Fiber Fabricator Extraordinaire.
 
I think the easiest solution to the problem is cutting the inlet at a 22* angle, then spinning it 180 degrees and welding it back to put it at a ~45 angle. Then use a 45* silicone coupler to connect to the pipe.


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Vumad

Super Hero, with a cape!
Location
St. Pete, FL
I think the easiest solution to the problem is cutting the inlet at a 22* angle, then spinning it 180 degrees and welding it back to put it at a ~45 angle. Then use a 45* silicone coupler to connect to the pipe.


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You better not powder coat it. Wevexpect to see some visual aluminum. Hah.
 
Just did mine. Welded just fine. Nothing to worry about.
a880090895a58e2703a7c34b9a702318.jpg
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motoman3000

ride
Site Supporter
Location
new jersey
Good welder is key, I tried to buy my own raider box, drill out baffles and have re-weld by friend of friend. Going in a B 1100 and exhaust leak stopped me in middle bay. Thank you @ rad dudes.

Re-edit rad dudes helped me w/ new proper box not crap like my "bud" welded. Go Rad dudes!
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Here is is all welded back up. I should have had it angled towards the outside a bit as well, but I was able to make it work with the silicone elbow.

75e3f207eccf0e1fabfaa75a12413fd2.jpg

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I'll probably end up swapping it to a smaller box in the future anyway.



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