Vibrant 2870 3.5" OD 180 Degree Polished 6061 Aluminum U-Bend Intercooler Tube

Vehicle Fitment

• Universal - compatible with any custom fabrication project requiring a 3.5" O.D. aluminum 180-degree U-bend
• Suitable for intercooler piping, custom air intake assemblies, boost pipe fabrication, and cooling system plumbing on turbocharged, supercharged, and naturally aspirated applications
• Commonly used in motorsport, street performance, and show builds requiring custom aluminum plumbing in a 3.5" diameter

Fitment Notes

• This is a UNIVERSAL fabrication component - no vehicle-specific hardware or mounting provisions are included. Cutting, welding, and custom fitting are required for installation in any specific application.
• Outside diameter is 3.5" (88.9mm) - confirm this matches your existing pipe OD or the size of silicone couplers and clamps at the connection points before ordering.
• Leg length is 4.0" per side from the start of the bend - verify this provides adequate straight length for your clamp, weld, or connection at each end of the U-bend.
• This is a 180-degree U-bend only - adjacent Vibrant aluminum tubing in the 2800 series includes 45°, 60°, 90°, and 120° bends in 3.5" OD for building a complete custom piping run.

Features

• 180-degree mandrel-bent construction ensures a consistent, round cross-section through the entire bend radius - eliminating the oval deformation or kinking that occurs in non-mandrel-bent tubing, maintaining full 3.5" airflow area throughout the U-bend.
• Manufactured from 6061 aluminum alloy - the most widely used and versatile aluminum alloy in performance fabrication, offering an excellent combination of strength, corrosion resistance, weldability, and machinability.
• Mirror-polished exterior finish provides a show-quality appearance in the engine bay and requires minimal surface preparation for further polishing or anodizing.
• Minimal preparation required for TIG welding - the consistent material composition and surface condition of Vibrant's 6061 tubing produce clean, strong welds with standard aluminum welding wire.
• 4.75" centerline radius provides a smooth, large-radius bend that minimizes flow restriction and pressure drop through the U-bend versus tighter-radius alternatives.
• Compatible with Vibrant's full range of aluminum straight sections, elbows, and fabrication accessories for building complete custom intercooler and intake pipe assemblies.
• Suitable for both pressurized (turbo/supercharger boost piping) and naturally aspirated applications across all power levels.

Specifications

• Part Number: 2870
• Brand: Vibrant Performance
• Bend Angle: 180 degrees (U-bend)
• Outside Diameter: 3.5" (88.9mm)
• Material: 6061 Aluminum
• Finish: Mirror polished
• Centerline Radius: 4.75"
• Leg Length: 4.0" per side
• Construction: Mandrel-bent
• Application: Universal fabrication - pressurized and naturally aspirated
• Sold: Individually (1x tube per listing)

Included Components

• 1x Vibrant 2870 3.5" OD 180-degree polished 6061 aluminum U-bend tube

Product Description

The Vibrant 2870 is a 180-degree mandrel-bent U-bend tube manufactured from 6061 aluminum with a 3.5" outside diameter, a 4.75" centerline radius, and 4.0" of straight leg length on each side of the bend. It is a core fabrication component in Vibrant's aluminum tubing program, designed for building custom intercooler piping, air intake assemblies, boost pipe runs, and any other application requiring a full 180-degree reversal in a 3.5" aluminum tube. The mandrel-bending process is critical to the tube's performance - by supporting the tube wall from the inside during bending, the mandrel prevents the oval cross-section distortion and interior kinking that occurs in non-mandrel-bent alternatives, preserving the full 3.5" flow area through the entire bend and minimizing pressure drop and turbulence at the U-bend.

Constructed from 6061 aluminum, this tube offers the ideal combination of strength, weldability, and corrosion resistance for underhood and boost system plumbing. The 4.75" centerline radius produces a smooth, gradual arc that further reduces flow restriction through the bend versus tighter-radius U-bends - an important consideration in intercooler or turbo piping where pressure drop across each fitting contributes directly to boost losses and throttle response. The mirror-polished exterior is suitable for show-quality engine bay builds and requires minimal additional surface preparation before further polishing, anodizing, or powder coating.

This is a universal fabrication component - cutting, fitting, and TIG welding are required for installation in any specific vehicle application. Vibrant's 6061 aluminum tubing is known in the fabrication community for its consistent material composition and dimensional accuracy, which produces clean, strong welds with standard 4043 or 5356 aluminum filler wire. The 2870 pairs directly with Vibrant's full range of aluminum straight sections, 45°, 60°, 90°, and 120° bends in 3.5" OD for building complete custom piping assemblies. Silicone couplers, T-bolt clamps, BOV flanges, and other fabrication hardware in 3.5" diameter are available separately to complete the build.