Weld or clamp Exhaust?

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Mar 15, 2008 | 08:37 PM

ealucero1

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Weld or clamp Exhaust?

I have pacesetter lt's and o/ry and for now a flowmaster. Is there any reason I shouldn't weld the entire exhaust system? I hate seeing all those damn clamps. Not to mention, even with the clamps they still seem to have a slight leak when I hit the gas.

Mar 15, 2008 | 09:14 PM

JScamaro

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I would use clamps. It will suck one day if you need to remove your exhaust system and everything is welded up.

The only thing I would weld is the tips.

Mar 15, 2008 | 10:01 PM

Dave 96TA

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Get better clamps. Put the exhaust together, wrap the joints with aluminum tape, then band-clamp over the aluminum. I hear this works well.

Mar 15, 2008 | 10:08 PM

orangeapeel

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From: Justin, TX

I would consider flanges over either of those options.

Last edited by orangeapeel; Mar 15, 2008 at 10:21 PM.

Mar 15, 2008 | 10:16 PM

sroach20

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v-clamps, they are pricey but worth it.

Mar 15, 2008 | 11:08 PM

CAMAROZ28AQUINO

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i have my **** welded wherever possible. No clamps anywhere = no leaks

Mar 15, 2008 | 11:40 PM

transAm-98

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Quote:

Originally Posted by sroach20

v-clamps, they are pricey but worth it.

+1 for v-clamps especially off the collectors. you can remove it when you need to and it won't leak

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Mar 16, 2008 | 01:02 AM

waldershrek

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I'm a fan of band clamps. Welds rust and so far I (nor anybody I know) has had no problems with leaks. Plus the exhaust can be removed without having to hack everything apart.

Mar 16, 2008 | 05:47 AM

#10

SweeTbone

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From: Toledo, OH

I would never weld any part of the exhaust. As stated wrap some foil around the joint then put a band clamp on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ealucero1

I hate seeing all those damn clamps.

And why would you care about the visual appeal of the clamps? Are you checking out your exhaust everyday? The only time I check out the underside of my car is when I'm working on it or for a suspected problem.

Mar 16, 2008 | 06:37 AM

#11

z28ss4me

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I'm clamped everything except the tips, but then again I run with the cut-out open almost all the time.

Leaks??

Mar 16, 2008 | 07:23 AM

#12

BlackScreaminMachine

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From: Wallingford CT

Clamp it.

Mar 16, 2008 | 11:12 AM

#13

jmilz28

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Quote:

Originally Posted by sroach20

v-clamps, they are pricey but worth it.

Mar 16, 2008 | 11:31 AM

#14

studderin

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untill you hit somthing and bend the flange.

then you with you had a normal clamp. The Vband add some size, you loose floorpan room, and there will be the lowest. First to get hit 1st on the Y-I pipe.

Mar 16, 2008 | 12:29 PM

#15

0utlawTorn

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I clamped all of my exhaust but can't get my passenger side collector to stop leaking for the life of me. My coated pacesetters are all rusted out underneath anyways so I'm just going to weld it. I'm done messing with clamps. I should have went with stainless headers

Mar 16, 2008 | 12:51 PM

#16

ealucero1

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Thanks for the suggestions, I'm going to order some band clamps to seal it. I've had problems bottoming out and bending collectors on f-bodys in the past so I'm going to skip that.

Mar 16, 2008 | 05:15 PM

#17

davered00ss

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Clamps. If you ever plan on working on the car (heads, clutch), you will need to remove the exhaust again.

Apr 3, 2008 | 07:16 PM

#18

95Banshee

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I have some create a gasket witch is a sheet of gasket material do you think that if i cut a strip and wrapped it around the end and slid the other pipe over that then clamped it would that work well.