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.

 

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.

 

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

 

I would consider flanges over either of those options.

 

v-clamps, they are pricey but worth it.

 

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

 

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

 

If you weld it purchase a saws-all electric saw!

 

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.

 

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

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.

 

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

Leaks??

 

Clamp it.

 

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

Band clamps under mine

 

I have Stainless steal band clamps on the headers and the rest is welded on my td's.