Can I use exhaust clamps on new exhaust system, or do I have to weld?

[Jessie James]

So I am replacing my exhaust from the headers back with new parts. I have a new Y-pipe, cat, intermediary pipe, muffler, and tailpipe. I would like to use clamps because then I could buy a sawzall, cut the old system off, and do it myself, but I am concerned about leaks. I am figuring I could get some muffler cement to put in the joints as I assemble it.

Will this work? I don't want to do that if it's going to leak noise/emissions or otherwise be a hassle, because then I'd probably have to cut everything off and start over!

I could take it to a shop and have them do it, but I would rather use the labor money to buy new tools!

What say CK5'ers?

 

[toomany]

Clamps will work just fine. Once you crimp the pipes though, they will be harder to seperate later. Not as hard as weld would be. Shouldn't have any issues with leaks, as long as the pipes fit each other correctly.

 

[Jessie James]

Sweet. Do you think I need to put any kind of sealant between the joints?

 

[Thunder]

I have always used clamps and a small spot weld on the joint on to keep things from moving.
If you dont have a welder just clamp it and take it to a muffler shop and have them spot weld it That should not cost much

 

[toomany]

Sweet. Do you think I need to put any kind of sealant between the joints?

I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Captainfab]

I would use the band type clamps. They don't crimp the tube so it is much easier to disassemble if need be. Their design allows you to put some good clamping pressure on the joint too. I wouldn't worry about any type of sealant on your joints as long as they fit reasonably tight.

These are what I'm talking about....

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WLK-33226/

 

[Fordum]

You really need to stay away from the sealer. There may be some that works, but most of them are made from Sodium Silicate, or waterglass as its also called. Its a water based mixture that undergoes a chemical change when it gets hot and dries out. After it does it is no longer water soluable and is hard as concrete.
The trouble with using it the way you want to, is the hardness. After it hardens, the next time it gets hot and everything expands, it does not give. So the metal does. Then, when it cools off, you have a gap. Plus the stuff is brittle, so it then falls out the gap and you have a leak.
If they had something like silicon rubber that could stand the heat it would be great. But as far as I know they don't.
If anybody knows of anything, I'd be glad to know.
I have seen some ads for some exotic sealers for really specialized applications that have specs that look like they would work. But they usually run in the $100 per ounce range or higher, so I have not been tempted to try them.

J.

 

[Jessie James]

I would use the band type clamps. They don't crimp the tube so it is much easier to disassemble if need be. Their design allows you to put some good clamping pressure on the joint too. I wouldn't worry about any type of sealant on your joints as long as they fit reasonably tight.

These are what I'm talking about....

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WLK-33226/

Ok, now that is a good design. I'll pick up some of those since I don't like the aspect of crimping the pipes and then not being able to get them apart easily.

And thanks everyone else for the tips.

I've picked up a sawzall and I'll do this next weekend, weather permitting.

 

[Jessie James]

Update - Following CaptainFab's suggestion to purchase those exhaust clamps I was able to cut off my old exhaust (which had about a dozen regular clamps and 12 pieces of half-assed pipes thrown together) and put my new exhaust on in a matter of minutes. Everything worked well the first time, no leaks, no problems, so I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the suggestions. It made my Sunday afternoon much more fruitful to have the rest of the day off!