lgobraves

iTrader: (14)

I am going to make a custom y-pipe for my xs headers. I am going to use a flowmaster merge going to a 4" cutout then back down to a 3" pipe to connect to the catback.

What is going to be my best bet for connecting the header to the y-pipe. I currently have band clamps and I have tried everything to get them to seal up well to no avail.

I was thinking these were the options
1. V-band clamps
2. Flowmaster Ball Flange
3. 3 Bolt Flange

Any comments on which one would work the best or other ideas that are not up there? I am not going to weld the header to the y-pipe at any cost.

lgobraves

iTrader: (14)

ttt..

01 Red WS6

iTrader: (4)

I have 3 bolt flanges... I used band clamps before. Both have worked just fine for me. I never had exhaust leaks with either. The flanges are easier to take apart though.

simple

iTrader: (8)

stainless band clamps with alot of copper RTV. there are a few different styles too choose from.
have the y-pipe slip over the collector, get some slip fit 2 bolt band clamps and copper rtv all the connections. i know of a good website that sells high quality clamps for about half the price of anywhere else.

01 Red WS6

iTrader: (4)

I never used copper RTV with my band clamps. I do use the Copper RTV for my 3 bolt flanges though. It seals up really well

lastcall190

iTrader: (36)

V-band. Pricey, but they hold like hell and I never had a SINGLE leak on my old car. What I would do (and hope to at some point), is V-band the headers to the Y, then weld the whole Y, then v-band the Y to the intermediate.

-J

Full-Force

iTrader: (11)

The ball flange is by far the best out of those. It is a OEM quality design.

lgobraves

iTrader: (14)

that was my orginal thought...hear of very few people running them

Full-Force

iTrader: (11)

Thats because its not a direct fit with aftermarket y pipes and they are more expensive.

MeentSS02

iTrader: (11)

I've had decent luck with band clamps, but I'm going to try slotting the pipes a little to see if I can get a little better seal out of them.

Ball flanges, v-band clamps, and 3-bolt flanges are all great too, but require that the fabricator pays attention to what they are doing. A friend of mine installed Kooks headers and a Corsa exhaust on his 2005 Vette, and it was all done with ball flanges and didn't leak.

radz282003

iTrader: (1)

Depending on how much room you have before and after the joint. I recommend Walker stainless steel band clamps. They have lap-joint and butt-joint styles and form a really good seal around the pipes without crushing the pipes. Accuseal clamps are really good if you don't plan on removing the exhaust for a while. I've had both and I like each for the qualities I listed above.

Good luck.

lgobraves

iTrader: (14)

Well I think I am going to go with the Ball Joints.

The Y-pipe is going to go like this

Collector->Ball Joint->3" piping->Flowmaster Merge->4" Cut out->4" to 3" reducer-> I-pipe

I will post up pictures when it is finished and let yall know how it turns out