Bassani
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,516
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buy some, I beleive ford makes some heavy duty clamps, I had an exhaust shop plop some on as the bassani clamps I first used fell off twice on me,,, yes twice,,, and many many others have had this happen as well. You pay $670 for the system, dont be dumb and risk the tips falling off and ruining your whole setup.
~Toast
~Toast
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 0
From: Miami, Fl.
I have the stock clamps on my Bassani...Been on the truck for a year now without any problems. Could be sittin on a time bomb though. If you use the ones that come with it I suggest you tighten them down real tight...then tighten them again...and again
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, North Carolina
Jason,
The clamps are not junk. The rear clamps (where the tail pipes are attached to the mufflers) are the best ever made and you'll know what I mean when you see them. The front clamps are a very thick and wide "band" type clamp and they are as heavy duty as you will ever see.
The problem most people speak of is with the front clamps ( 4 in all ), two for the front of the X pipe where they attache the cat pipes, and two for the rear of the X pipe where they attache the mufflers. Where they attache the muffler is no problem, just tighten the chit out of them. The front, because of the factory crimping of the pipes with their stock clamp presents a small problem, the new band type clamp can't seal really tight like the rear clamps. This will all make sense when you are installing the system.
What I did to remedy the problem was to tack weld the cat pipes to the X pipe to insure it didn't come loose. It worked great and I was satisfied for a while. Later I noticed that condensation would drip on my garage floor when I parked the truck while hot. As is cooled down black colored water would drip out of the connections and stain the floor. At this point I had mine welded solid and no more drips.
You could buy some heavy duty clamps and use them, I'm sure they would work although I've had no personal experience with them. The clamp system you are getting is one of a kind, designed and made by Bassani.
I definately suggest you have them tack welded to insure that they do not blow off due to the Lightning's extreme amount of exhaust pressure during wide open throttle runs, and it's cheap insurance. Do this and you will have no problem, ever!
Tim
PS. I have a few in stock.
The clamps are not junk. The rear clamps (where the tail pipes are attached to the mufflers) are the best ever made and you'll know what I mean when you see them. The front clamps are a very thick and wide "band" type clamp and they are as heavy duty as you will ever see.
The problem most people speak of is with the front clamps ( 4 in all ), two for the front of the X pipe where they attache the cat pipes, and two for the rear of the X pipe where they attache the mufflers. Where they attache the muffler is no problem, just tighten the chit out of them. The front, because of the factory crimping of the pipes with their stock clamp presents a small problem, the new band type clamp can't seal really tight like the rear clamps. This will all make sense when you are installing the system.
What I did to remedy the problem was to tack weld the cat pipes to the X pipe to insure it didn't come loose. It worked great and I was satisfied for a while. Later I noticed that condensation would drip on my garage floor when I parked the truck while hot. As is cooled down black colored water would drip out of the connections and stain the floor. At this point I had mine welded solid and no more drips.
You could buy some heavy duty clamps and use them, I'm sure they would work although I've had no personal experience with them. The clamp system you are getting is one of a kind, designed and made by Bassani.
I definately suggest you have them tack welded to insure that they do not blow off due to the Lightning's extreme amount of exhaust pressure during wide open throttle runs, and it's cheap insurance. Do this and you will have no problem, ever!
Tim
PS. I have a few in stock.
Last edited by Chikenears; Dec 18, 2002 at 10:54 AM.