Is welding necessary?
03-17-2010, 04:17 PM
#1
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 143
Is welding necessary?
I'm getting ready to put on a different X-Pipe (Catted MAC Pro-Chamber), I was wondering what people's thoughts where on needing to get the pipe welded vs using clamps during the install. I realize clamps would be cheaper and easier, but I don't want to worry about any exhaust leaks or anything of that nature. So, I was just wondering what you guys currently use (welds/clamps) and your experiences?
03-17-2010, 06:17 PM
#2
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: asdf
Posts: 1,600
From my experience cheap "ring" clamps start to be bad once you tighten them and undo them once for adjusting your exhaust.
Once you undo them it can kind of put permanent impressions in the pipes. I would at least use better band clamps but as you already know welding (can be) the best seal but it'll be a PITA if you ever want to change up your exhaust again.
Once you undo them it can kind of put permanent impressions in the pipes. I would at least use better band clamps but as you already know welding (can be) the best seal but it'll be a PITA if you ever want to change up your exhaust again.
03-17-2010, 09:38 PM
#4
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 143
Hmm...so if I get band clamps which do you think would provider a tighter hold (more likely to prevent leaks), butt-joint clamps or lap-joints clamps? Also, how many clamps do you guys think I'll need? Each clamp is like $10...so if I need four for example, it might cost me the same to just get the xpipe welded.
03-17-2010, 10:13 PM
#5
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 4,039
From someone that worked in an exhaust shop for 3 years, if it is designed to go in with clamps, chances are you should install it that way. Otherwise you will have to cut it later on down the road if you ever want to remove it and once welded, it's no longer adjustable.
When clamped correctly, you should not have any exhaust leaks
When clamped correctly, you should not have any exhaust leaks
03-17-2010, 11:28 PM
#7
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 143
From someone that worked in an exhaust shop for 3 years, if it is designed to go in with clamps, chances are you should install it that way. Otherwise you will have to cut it later on down the road if you ever want to remove it and once welded, it's no longer adjustable.
When clamped correctly, you should not have any exhaust leaks
When clamped correctly, you should not have any exhaust leaks
1) What kind of clamp is best?
1) If the answer above is a band clamp, which is best, butt joint or lap joint?
2) About how many clamps do you think i'll need for the entire install?
03-18-2010, 11:33 AM
#8
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 143
Tbird, since you worked in an exhaust shop, can you tell me what kind of clamps you recommend to get the best possible seal? The posts above suggest band clamps. My question is....
1) What kind of clamp is best?
1) If the answer above is a band clamp, which is best, butt joint or lap joint?
2) About how many clamps do you think i'll need for the entire install?
1) What kind of clamp is best?
1) If the answer above is a band clamp, which is best, butt joint or lap joint?
2) About how many clamps do you think i'll need for the entire install?
03-18-2010, 11:47 AM
#9
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: KY, was MA
Posts: 2,797
look under your car and figure out where the mid pipe bolts to to the catback......
i have 6 on mine....2 from midpipe to CB, 2 for CB to front of muffler, 2 for CB to back of muffler. does your CB have welded mufflers?(subtract 4 from 6...)
alot of questions can be answered from just looking at your own car....
i have 6 on mine....2 from midpipe to CB, 2 for CB to front of muffler, 2 for CB to back of muffler. does your CB have welded mufflers?(subtract 4 from 6...)
alot of questions can be answered from just looking at your own car....
03-18-2010, 02:37 PM
#10
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 143
Does anyone know if any store sells band clamps (i.e, pepboys, autozone)? I know i can order them online, I was just wondering if i could buy them somewhere locally. And yes, I searched the pepboys and autozone sites but had no luck, they only have u band and v band clamps.