Non-circular exhausts and fabricated tubes for optimised vehicle performance
Clients and projects using our shaped tube
Strong and space-saving: stainless steel and aluminium tubing solutions for automotive and motorsport
Whether you require custom-made structural support to strengthen a racing car or flat-sided oval-shaped tube to help reduce clearance space on an exhaust system, we can help.
Timeless Tube specialise in cold-forming non-circular profiles, offering added strength, style and space-saving advantages over circular tubes.
From one-off jobs to mass-produced pieces, we understand that every little component plays a big part in the performance of a car. When automotive designers specify the required end-result, our engineers love creating parts that deliver.
Prototypes and production for the transport industry
We make over 600 sizes of tubing, and we have flexible tooling so we are able to fabricate new sizes if the job requires it.
We work extensively with automotive OEMs, designers and fabricators supplying batch parts and custom-made tube components, serving the performance racing industry and consumer car and motorbike manufacturers.
Our scalable set-up allows us to manufacture single lengths to thousands, with a quick turnaround.
Contact us if you need a specific part for a proof of concept or for volume work quotations.
Flat-sided oval stainless steel tubing used for custom engine manifold
Cold-formed complex tube components made from high-quality materials
We form most automotive tubing from 304L and 316L stainless steel, because it can withstand extreme temperatures and is highly durable, which makes it well-suited as a safe, reliable material for exhaust systems.
We also fabricate automotive components from aluminium, titanium and copper-based alloys. These metals are also corrosion-resistant, highly durable and low maintenance.
All of the materials that we use offer an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, which helps to reduce the weight of the vehicle and improve fuel efficiency.
Non-circular tubing for exhausts
Flat-sided oval
- Space-saving: offers minimal protrusion when space and weight are critical or when clearance is required
- Aerodynamic shape enhances heat transfer efficiency by reducing air-side pressure drop, increasing surface area and promoting smoother airflow
- 54% stronger than standard circular tubing (shown in independent deflection tests)
- Forming tools can be adjusted for resizing, allowing for tight tolerances on critical parts
- Flat side attaches securely and easily to other fixtures
Which flat-sided oval tube sizes can be made from standard round tube?
| Round tube OD | Flat-sided oval tube dimensions | Wall thickness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ¼″ | 37 × 22 mm | 1.5 mm, 2 mm |
| 39 × 19 mm | 1.5 mm, 2 mm | |
| 41 × 15.5 mm | 1.5 mm, 2 mm | |
| 1 ½″ | 48 × 21 mm | 1.2 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm |
| 43 × 28 mm | 1.5 mm, 2 mm | |
| 45 × 25 mm | 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm | |
| 2″ | 62 × 31 mm | 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm |
| 2.5″ | 78 × 39 mm | 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm |
| 86.5 × 27 mm | 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm | |
| 3″ | 91 × 51 mm | 2 mm, 3 mm |
| 99 × 38 mm | 2 mm, 3 mm | |
| 3.14″(80 mm) | 95 × 55 mm | 1.5 mm, 2 mm |
| 3.5″ | Please enquire about sizes that can be formed from this tube. | |
| 4″ | 128 × 55 mm | 2 mm, 3 mm |
| 4.25″ | 133 × 63 mm | 2 mm, 3 mm |
| 4.5″ | 138 × 73 mm | 2 mm, 3 mm |
| 5″ | 167 × 66 mm | 2 mm, 3 mm |
| 6.14″ | 195 × 85 mm | 3 mm |
Oval tube
- Elliptical profile ideal for components exposed to airflow such as exhausts, roll cages, and chassis parts
- Over 300 existing sizes — made from 1/4 inch to 6 inch diameter round tube
- Streamlined shape reduces air drag compared to round or square tubing
- Connectors and bend tooling available
- Twisted oval tube option available for decorative trims and heat transfer applications
- Forming tools can be adjusted, allowing for tight tolerances on critical parts
| Round tube OD | Oval tube dimensions | Wall thickness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ¼″ | 39.5 × 21 mm | 1.5 mm |
| 35 × 27 mm | 1.5 mm | |
| 1 ½″ | 47 × 25 mm | 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm |
| 43 × 30 mm | 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm | |
| 2″ | 61 × 37 mm | 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm |
| 65 × 33 mm | 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm | |
| 2.5″ | 76 × 50 mm | 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm |
| 3″ | 92 × 56 mm | 2 mm, 3 mm |
| 98 × 50 mm | 2 mm, 3 mm | |
| 4″ | 121 × 76 mm | 2 mm, 3 mm |
| 128 × 70 mm | 2 mm, 3 mm | |
| 143 × 45 mm | 2 mm, 3 mm | |
| 139 × 53 mm | 2 mm, 3 mm | |
| 5.07″/ 5.32″ | 151 × 101 mm | 2 mm, 3 mm |
| 167 × 87 mm | 2 mm, 3 mm | |
| 6″ | 200 × 100 mm | 2 mm, 3 mm |
Radiused square tube
- Blended corners and subtly convexed sides provide greater structural strength than circular tube in certain load conditions
- A contoured alternative to angular box section, with rounded corners that are less prone to cracking or fatigue than sharp-edged square tubing
- Offers better use of space than round tube
- Twisted square tube and radiused rectangle tube options available
Which radiused square tube sizes can be made from standard round tube?
| Round tube OD | Radiused square tube dimensions | Wall thickness |
|---|---|---|
| 1″ | 23 × 23 mm | 1.5 mm |
| 1.25″ | 28 × 28 mm | 1.5 mm, 2 mm |
| 1.5″ | 34.5 × 34.5 mm | 1.5 mm, 2 mm |
| 2″ | 45.5 × 45.5 mm | 1.5 mm, 2 mm |
| 3″ | 66 × 66 mm | 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm |
| 4″ | 88 × 88 mm | 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm |
Adjustable tube-end forming: reduction and expansion
Using highly flexible tube manipulation machinery, Timeless Tube can adjust round tube diameters by up to 20% of the original size.
- Precise diameter adjustment (within the specified range of each tool) allows for minor adjustments to be made until an optimal fit is achieved
- Cost-effective for both custom parts and high-volume production
- With no clamping required, tube components are protected from damage
- Bent tubes can be formed close to or directly on a bend — without the need for additional tooling
- Coning, flaring and swaging services are also available, for both circular and non-circular tube profiles
Tube reduction for round tube
Tube expansion for round tube
Oval to round tube transitions
Tube-end forming tools enable our fabricators to return shaped profiles such as oval and square tube back to round tube at the ends.
- Ideal for exhaust transitions
- Allows you to use standard round tube fittings while benefitting from the aesthetics and ergonomics of distinctive shaped tube profiles
Strong, corrosion-resistant materials
Lightweight but strong, our tubing has been used for other forms of transport, including oval tube stainless steel luggage racks on high-speed passenger trains across Japan.
Automotive and transport-related applications
- Suspension wishbones
- Exhaust systems
- Inlet manifolds
- Seat adjustment tubes
- Headrest armatures
- Seat frame components
- Support arms for car boots
- Cross tubes
- Support tubes for chassis
- Luggage racks
- Shift levers
- Radiators
- Bumper edging
- Internal structural framework
- Roof rails
- Cant rails, skirts and trims
- Transmission linkage tubes
- Instrument panel tubes
- Motorcycle swing arms
Talk to an expert today
Speak to our team to get started. Request samples, drawings, or technical datasheets.
