Exhaust-Weld or Not
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
Exhaust-Weld or Not
I'm getting ready to have someone put in a 2 1/2" exhaust system in my car and almost everyone quoting the job want to weld the entire system together(with the exception of the flange hookup to the header). If I ever want to get the transmission out I'll never be able to do it without cutting the pipes. I've asked a couple of shops for some alternatives like gasketed flanges just before the crossmember or clamping the pipes but they both don't want to do it. One of them said I'd never be able to get the pipes apart anyway with the clamps he uses.
What have some of you guys done to still get room? Seems crazy to have to hacksaw an exhaust pipe and have it rewelded later.
Bill
What have some of you guys done to still get room? Seems crazy to have to hacksaw an exhaust pipe and have it rewelded later.
Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
there used to be a company that made billet hose clamps, and billet exhaust clamps... very nice prouducts, but very expensive. It was called Python Designs Inc. if I remember correclty, but I cant seem to find it again. They had some really trick looking exhaust clamps, perfect for what you would need.. but if I do think they were well over $100 per clamp for the exhaust applications.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 2
From: Sherwood Park AB
My system is full welded. To remove the tranny, I unhook the hangers and headers pull the entire system back. This works ok, but I don't have an H or X pipe.
One shop wanted to weld the headers to the pipes.
One shop wanted to weld the headers to the pipes.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
Yes I agree on the muffler comment also, I'm not sure I'm going to like these Super Turbo's but that's another subject
Joe, I did find a Pythone company that makes clamps but no billet styles. You got me thinking and I checked Summit and found these things. Looks like you weld on the rings, pull them together then install the band clamp. I've used this style on aircraft piping, it's excellent if made right, wonder if these are the same quality?
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Joe, I did find a Pythone company that makes clamps but no billet styles. You got me thinking and I checked Summit and found these things. Looks like you weld on the rings, pull them together then install the band clamp. I've used this style on aircraft piping, it's excellent if made right, wonder if these are the same quality?
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
Originally Posted by TopGunn
Yes I agree on the muffler comment also, I'm not sure I'm going to like these Super Turbo's but that's another subject
Joe, I did find a Pythone company that makes clamps but no billet styles. You got me thinking and I checked Summit and found these things. Looks like you weld on the rings, pull them together then install the band clamp. I've used this style on aircraft piping, it's excellent if made right, wonder if these are the same quality?
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Joe, I did find a Pythone company that makes clamps but no billet styles. You got me thinking and I checked Summit and found these things. Looks like you weld on the rings, pull them together then install the band clamp. I've used this style on aircraft piping, it's excellent if made right, wonder if these are the same quality?
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
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I have a section of pipe on each side that is connected at each end with band clamps....you can get them from Summit/Jegs or at most auto parts stores or any place that sells truck parts. Very common. They are stainless steel usually and you just butt the pipes together and wrap band around it and tighten the two 3/8" bolts to squeeze it together. You can reuse them almost indefinitely...they work great.
JIM
JIM
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
Originally Posted by 427Hotrod
I have a section of pipe on each side that is connected at each end with band clamps....you can get them from Summit/Jegs or at most auto parts stores or any place that sells truck parts. Very common. They are stainless steel usually and you just butt the pipes together and wrap band around it and tighten the two 3/8" bolts to squeeze it together. You can reuse them almost indefinitely...they work great.
JIM
JIM
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
They don't leak where the clamp butts together?
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
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The Walker SS band clamps work great.
This winter I cut my duals just behind the crossmember and installed a pair of the 3" band clamps. It makes life so much easier when working on the car. NO leaks at all. Make sure you get the correct size so they fit properly, and make sure you get the ones designed for butting the pipes together as they also make band clamps that work when you overlap the pipes. No crushed pipes...no problems removing or reinstalling them...even a few years later.
Good luck,
Jeff
This winter I cut my duals just behind the crossmember and installed a pair of the 3" band clamps. It makes life so much easier when working on the car. NO leaks at all. Make sure you get the correct size so they fit properly, and make sure you get the ones designed for butting the pipes together as they also make band clamps that work when you overlap the pipes. No crushed pipes...no problems removing or reinstalling them...even a few years later.
Good luck,
Jeff
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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Likes: 2,262
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
That's the ones. You can get them locally at most parts stores. You *might* see a wisp streak of black soot after a long period of time...but you'll never hear it. Years ago they used to come with a strip of aluminum foil stuff that you would wrap around joint before you put clamp on. But no big deal. They work great and allow you to take pipes apart easily.
JIM
JIM
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: GA
Originally Posted by 427Hotrod
I have a section of pipe on each side that is connected at each end with band clamps....you can get them from Summit/Jegs or at most auto parts stores or any place that sells truck parts. Very common. They are stainless steel usually and you just butt the pipes together and wrap band around it and tighten the two 3/8" bolts to squeeze it together. You can reuse them almost indefinitely...they work great.
JIM
JIM
Jim is dead on! Band clamps work great. Seal real well. I can say welding the intermediate pipes will work fine... but I would recommend the band clamp on the muffler side.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
Great, that's exactly what I'm going to use then. Nothing better than first hand experience. I'm anxious to get this exhaust system installed and get rid of the fumes!
Thanks for all your inputs.
Bill
Thanks for all your inputs.
Bill