Hey all,

Couldnt see anything under search about preference of just bolting / welding a Magnaflow Catback on our L's. I bolted mine on today and seems like I have no leaks / truck rides fine, and I love the sound. However, a Magnaflow tech told me theres no need to have them welded on, but I should check the catback and retorque them in about 40-50 hours of driving time.

Any of you guys just bolt them on / never weld them, or should I just get a shop to weld this puppy up ?

Thanks in advance for your help.

(and thanks for everyone that recomended Magnaflow's to me these past weeks)

Joe

 

I had mine welded on, alot of people have problems with the clamps not holding no matter how tight you get them.

 

Weld, I had mine bolted, and then rebolted four times in the first week. Now it's welded, and no more problems!

 

Gonna weld mine this weekend. The clamps are bottomed out and the pipes sag after a couple of miles. I am welding them after I build my no cat mid-pipe.

 

I bolted mine... and then it fell off

I had regular exhaust clamps (round "u" style) bolted on instead of the flat circular style clamps put on about 6 months ago, and the thing has not moved since.

I know of at least one of my buddy's that had the exact same occurance with a Magnaflow, and he fixed the problem the same as mine.

two exhaust clamps are probably cheaper than having it welded on, and leaves you with the ability to take it off if you ever have to. JMO.

 

Mine isn't welded. I used the stock clamps and it's fine.

 

you must not be driving fast enough!

 

haven't any of you guys thought of using locktite?

 

I don't think it's a matter of the nut backing off of the thread. In my case, when the exhaust fell off, I tried to loosen the nut, and it was on there tighter than a..... I think that the stainless expands too much when heated significantly-- reducing the clamping pressure. the regular style "u" clamps provide enough clamping force to actually bend the pipe creating a secure attachment.

If anyone finds this skeptical, then just weld it to have the peace of mind.

 

A lot of weld replies. I dont have that type of equipment, but think if I throw $20 to a Midas tech they'd weld it for me?

Also, did you guys have just where the factory pipe connects to the catback, or did you weld at the hanger points as well? I certainly dont want the tips to start sagging, because they are hanging perfect right now.

Thanks again.

 

here's some pros and cons for you.

Clamping is easier for the person who doesn't have access or ability to have them welded.

Clamping is much easier to take apart. However, dont' be fooled. In order to get these tight enough, you have to crank the clamps. The problem is it leaves big ridges in the pipes, so taking it off after it is clamped is a bitch, and putting it back on is even worse. Trust me, i almost destroyed my cat back in a fit of anger trying to fix my POS this week , if anyone has been folowing the posts, you know what I mean.

I have mine clamped again and it's leaking everywhere, no matter what i do. I decided to have it welded.

The problem with welding them is if you need to get it off, you have to cut the pipe and grind the weld off and the pipes you cut just became too short. Basically the pipes you cut will needed to be replaced.

I would recommend this. If you are doing a catback and that's it and that's all you plan to do, just have them welded.

If you plan on doing headers and high flows any time soon and it's a possibility, clamp them and wait. Then have them welded. Welding is definetely the best choice. I've had all my exhaust clamped and now it's leaking everywhere, so welding it is. Hope i've helped.

 

Mine was clamped and it fell off...while doing a burnout at the track!!!!! How freakin embarrassing!!!

When I retorqued the one "C" clamp down, the bolt broke. I replaced that one with a standard $2 "U bolt" clamp, which seems to work well. Tailpipes are tight.

It's probably best to weld if you know you will never do any other exhaust mod, but it's worth trying the U bolt clamps if you are going to add headers, mid pipes, etc.

 

Thats it, I'm going to Tuffy tomorrow at lunch and getting them welded on!

 

bolted my down to like 125PSI with air tools

Still on tight after 5k miles of driving, I need to check and make sure tho

 

Apparently not... I hardly drive the thing.