To Weld or Clamp the Exhaust or Both?

[scud]

Hi all - I'll be installing my exhaust myself and was curious to hear opinions about clamping vs. welding vs. doing both.

I was planning to use slip on style attachments at all the joints.

1 joint where the old pipe and new pipe meet after the cat. 1 joint where the new pipe meets the muffler. 1 joint where the dump pipe meets the back of the muffler.

So, 3 joints total on the system. The pic below is the type of connector I was planning to use. They are opened up enough at each end to allow a 2.5" pipe (for example) to slide halfway into it...connecting the two pipes.

My thought is that I have three options: 1 - slip all the pipes together, use an RTV type exhaust sealant and clamp the joints. 2 - slip all the pipes together and weld/braze the edges at the end of each overlap. 3 - slip all the pipes together, clamp the joints and weld/braze the edges.

Thanks for your feedback!

scud

 

[BannonJr]

Naturally, welding is the better choice if you can..but, if you clamp, and maybe stick a couple tack welds it will be fine. Just be sure to use decent clamps, pay the extra 2 bucks lol

 

[scud]

Naturally, welding is the better choice if you can..but, if you clamp, and maybe stick a couple tack welds it will be fine. Just be sure to use decent clamps, pay the extra 2 bucks lol

yeah, that's what I was thinking too.

so far, I'm thinking RTV sealant to help with leaks, clamps for hold, tack welds for additional hold...call it done. I'd be oxy/acety welding...as that is my style/method of choice. When I get into it, I may just decide to go all the way around the pipe, but don't want to weaken any of the material...

clamps vary. I'm assuming the u-bolt style are the cheaper of the bunch...and the band style would be considered better quality, but it would almost seem like the u-bolt style would be able to be torqued more to create a tighter seal...

 

[BannonJr]

Rtv will burn off..no matter what the heat range says...exhaust sealant works though

 

[kvunck]

Use muffler sealant and HD U clamp. Welding starts the pipe oxidizing so only do that as a last resort.

 

[scud]

Rtv will burn off..no matter what the heat range says...exhaust sealant works though

Use muffler sealant and HD U clamp. Welding starts the pipe oxidizing so only do that as a last resort.

muffler/exhaust sealant it is then.

I was planning to paint everything after welding to protect from oxidation...but this is good info, thanks guys!