What is the best way to clamp two pieces of pipe together without using header collectors? Is there a band style clamp you can use on 3" and what is the part #?

 

The best way would be to have it welded. The band clamps suck because the wear out and leak, well my Borla ones did as well as the flat band clamps on my FLP y-pipe.

I don't know of anybody that sells band clamps. You could buy the Borla band clamps (3") of maybe look on Jegs webpage.

Peace,
Craig.

 

From my recent experience the best way to put to exhaust pipes together and be leak free is welding. After that comes U clamps which will crush the pipes to get the seal. Next is the 1 inch (about 8 gauge) band clamp. These are OK but don't get a good seal especially near the front O2 sensors. And then there are the 3 inch band clamps. They won't crush the pipe but they won't give a great seal either which is critical near the front O2 sensors.

If you are far enough away from the header collector you can use a high temp RTV. But near the collector the temps can be close to 1200 and no RTV I have been able to find can handle that temp.

I used the 1 inch band clamps before and just could never get a good seal near the front O2 sensors. I went to U clamps and got the seal but it was a major pain trying the get the pipes off the headers and Y-Pipe. Now I tried the 3 inch band clamp and RTV and I still can't get a good enough seal so my O2 sensors don't think they are lean.

It looks like I will go back to the U clamps and crush the pipe. Then when I ever need to remove the pipe I will have to take it to someone with a torch and lift and let them take it off.

For part numbers just go to Jegs or Summit and search on "exhaust clamp.” I saw clamps offered at Thunder Racing's site too. Year One has them as well but looks too cheap. And the Borla ones are outrageously expensive.

 

Unfortunately, welding seems to be the best way.

I have a advanced auto zone clamp and factory clamp on my mac y-pipe to stock pipe and it leaks like a sieve. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" />

Eric

 

ever heard of a v band style clamp where you use a doughnut style gasket in between two flared out style pieces of pipe? Ihave ordered all the pieces that I think I will need just wondering how it is gonna work.

 

I have had good luck with the wide S.S. band clamps made by Walker (buy from Summit). While similar in concept to those that come with a Borla, they are much more robust and I believe clamp better as well. The key is you need to slot your pipe and have the seam in the middle of the clamp. I cut four 1" slots 90 degrees apart using a 1/32" cut of wheel. This way the band clamp can actually clamp the two pipes together for a secure fit, yet allows disassmebly / adjustment later which you can never get with welding or U-Bolt clamps.

 

Band clamping doesn't seal properly and muffler clamps distort the pipes. Have your muffler surgeon weld a flange to each piece. You get a good seal and easy removal. Either that or weld them together.