by JCS » Sat Feb 15, 2020 11:45 am
Rolly
The advice already offered on using band clamps on stainless pipes is wise advice. I would suggest you do not use “U” bolt clamps, they work on mild steel pipe but not stainless, as stainless lacks ductility.
The stainless band clamps are not designed for butt joints and I think you will be better served by using straight stainless pipe sleeves about 8 inch (200mm) long across your joints. This of course is only appropriate if you are cutting up a fully welded system ready for refitting. These sleeves are better position over the outside of the pipes, but can be used as internal sleeves if required. In some locations it can be advantageous to weld, or tack weld an internal sleeve in the end of one of the pipes, in particular when the joint is close up against a silencer or mounting.
If you are going to split up a previously welded system it is worthwhile studying where the ex-factory system is jointed. The sectioning immediately to the rear of the main silencers can be improved a little. On some systems the mounting onto the rear sub frame can cause a removal issue. This occurs when the complete mounting can be removed from the subframe but the stub bar on the silencer will not allow the rear end of the silencer to lower. In essence the main silencers need moving forward for removal more than the existing set up allows. I think an external sleeve and joint forward of the main silencer front mounting would allow that extra travel.
If you fit a new standard system you will understandably not have to bother with splitting the system but a little care in positioning the main silencers as far forward as possible will pay dividends later. Sometimes it is advantageous to be able to remove a silencer quickly without having to remove the tail pipes and resonator boxes.
Another suggestion is to permanently mark the adjacent joint positions so that the exhaust sections can be quickly and correctly aligned. I use grinding marks at each joint.
You will find that most of the replacement stainless systems are poorly welded with the wrong filler wire and MIG, not TIG welding. If you purchase a new system it might be worthwhile cleaning and painting the welded joint.
Rolly
The advice already offered on using band clamps on stainless pipes is wise advice. I would suggest you do not use “U” bolt clamps, they work on mild steel pipe but not stainless, as stainless lacks ductility.
The stainless band clamps are not designed for butt joints and I think you will be better served by using straight stainless pipe sleeves about 8 inch (200mm) long across your joints. This of course is only appropriate if you are cutting up a fully welded system ready for refitting. These sleeves are better position over the outside of the pipes, but can be used as internal sleeves if required. In some locations it can be advantageous to weld, or tack weld an internal sleeve in the end of one of the pipes, in particular when the joint is close up against a silencer or mounting.
If you are going to split up a previously welded system it is worthwhile studying where the ex-factory system is jointed. The sectioning immediately to the rear of the main silencers can be improved a little. On some systems the mounting onto the rear sub frame can cause a removal issue. This occurs when the complete mounting can be removed from the subframe but the stub bar on the silencer will not allow the rear end of the silencer to lower. In essence the main silencers need moving forward for removal more than the existing set up allows. I think an external sleeve and joint forward of the main silencer front mounting would allow that extra travel.
If you fit a new standard system you will understandably not have to bother with splitting the system but a little care in positioning the main silencers as far forward as possible will pay dividends later. Sometimes it is advantageous to be able to remove a silencer quickly without having to remove the tail pipes and resonator boxes.
Another suggestion is to permanently mark the adjacent joint positions so that the exhaust sections can be quickly and correctly aligned. I use grinding marks at each joint.
You will find that most of the replacement stainless systems are poorly welded with the wrong filler wire and MIG, not TIG welding. If you purchase a new system it might be worthwhile cleaning and painting the welded joint.