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Got my cats in they are 2.5" but they are slip fit so the in/out diameter is a little more than 2.5. There is a pretty good amount of play between the cat pipe and the collector reducer pipe. Will a band clamp seal this good enough?
Got my cats in they are 2.5" but they are slip fit so the in/out diameter is a little more than 2.5. There is a pretty good amount of play between the cat pipe and the collector reducer pipe. Will a band clamp seal this good enough?
Looks like the gap is a little too big to seal with just a band clamp.
You can buy a flux MIG welder at H/F for $100 and practice welding if you are into the DYI thing.
But if you go that rout you will have to spend $50 more on a mask, stainless wire and gloves.
I like a clamped system also. If you expand the smaller pipe, then the clamp should work fine.
Good luck.
Yeah I would prefer to go that route. The shop that is doing the install for me has a pipe expander so it shouldn't be a problem. I'm going out today to buy the clamps. I'm not if I need a 2.5" or 3" clamp though. The cat is prob about 2.75"
Any exhaust shop can expand your exhaust pipe so you can use a clamp.
Mr. Sam
yes they can expand the pipe but......the thickness of the cat will not "crush" or seal properly. The other thing is band clamps are made of stainless, it will not conform to the step you'll have where the thicker cat metal meets the thinner pipe. Last but not least, if i'm not mistaken, most outer diameter pipes will have a small slit on one side so the band clamp can compress the outer pipe to conform to the shape of the inner pipe.
yes they can expand the pipe but......the thickness of the cat will not "crush" or seal properly. The other thing is band clamps are made of stainless, it will not conform to the step you'll have where the thicker cat metal meets the thinner pipe. Last but not least, if i'm not mistaken, most outer diameter pipes will have a small slit on one side so the band clamp can compress the outer pipe to conform to the shape of the inner pipe.
There aren't any slits on the in or out of the cat. I can weld the collector reducer pipe to the input of the cat but if i have the connecting pipe(between the cat output and the xpipe input) expanded to go Over the output of the cat should I be able to band clamp that part? Sorry if that's confusing. Basically I can have 2.5 pupe expanded to slip over the output of the cat... will that clamp ok or is it the same situation of it not sealing properly?
There aren't any slits on the in or out of the cat. I can weld the collector reducer pipe to the input of the cat but if i have the connecting pipe(between the cat output and the xpipe input) expanded to go Over the output of the cat should I be able to band clamp that part? Sorry if that's confusing. Basically I can have 2.5 pupe expanded to slip over the output of the cat... will that clamp ok or is it the same situation of it not sealing properly?
I know there isn't any slits...that's the point i was trying to make, no slit, no compression to help seal. 2.5",,,, I dunno if you'd have enough sealing area to get a good seal. I could be wrong.
I like a clamped system also. If you expand the smaller pipe, then the clamp should work fine.
was thinking the same thing wondering why most said to weld it then seen you posted this
removable cats
Originally Posted by SG Lou
Last but not least, if i'm not mistaken, most outer diameter pipes will have a small slit on one side so the band clamp can compress the outer pipe to conform to the shape of the inner pipe.
simple fix! put a notch on each side then clamp
i've had and even worked on exhaust with slip fit that didnt have the notch and still sealed with a clamp
Last edited by Stroker87; Apr 10, 2016 at 03:16 AM.
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That's what I would do if it were mine.
Can I band clamp this?
